The volunteer community is an active, vibrant one in Australia. According to the results of the 2014 General Social Survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around a third of all Australian adults volunteer in some capacity each year, giving 743 million hours of service to the community.

One thing that might hold some back from formally volunteering with various organisations are concerns about their rights. A volunteer is not a formal employee, and is not paid a salary, so potential volunteers do have valid concerns when they wonder what rights they do, and do not have, if they choose to donate their time and energy towards a charity, association or other cause. The rights of volunteers is a valid concern for would-be volunteers Australia-wide.

Understanding Your Rights as Volunteer

A volunteer’s specific rights will vary per organisation, and will often be listed and defined within that organisation’s volunteer agreement. The following is a very general guide to the rights that volunteers can typically expect to have when they enter a formal volunteering relationship with a nonprofit organisation.

Orientation. Every volunteer can expect to learn more about the organisation, including its mission and structure, and their roles and responsibilities as a volunteer during the orientation process.

Information about volunteer policies, grievance procedure to resolve any potential disputes that may come up is normally provided to volunteers during orientation or shortly thereafter during training.

Training. Every volunteer should expect to undergo a period of training to help them learn the skills that they need to assist the organisation and service community. Volunteers will often receive a description of their position during this time that further explains their roles and responsibilities.

If one has not been received already, a volunteer agreement is normally provided at this time, and it will normally contain information about the number of hours that the volunteer is expected to contribute during their volunteer experience, as well as briefly list the working conditions under which they will perform their volunteer work.

Safety. Volunteers have the right to expect to be able to perform their service in a safe environment. Organisations have a duty to ensure that they take steps to protect volunteers and service recipients, provide adequate insurance coverage, and offer reimbursement for out of pocket expenses.

A Voice. Volunteers also have a right to be consulted in matters that affect their duties, the services that they provide to members of the service community, how they are supported and supervised by others, as well as consulted on matters and policies that affect their safety and well-being.

Freedom. Volunteers have a right to reasonable time away from their position, including holiday breaks and the right to refuse specific assignments, working conditions, or work times.

Recognition. Volunteers should expect to receive recognition, and gratitude, for the service that they provide to their communities.

Most volunteers find that they receive a number of benefits from their service. Most report a feeling of an increased sense of purpose, fulfillment and well-being. Others state that they have gained insight about themselves and other people, while also gaining additional skills that benefit them outside of their volunteer role. Others enjoy the social aspect of volunteering and the new opportunities that it provides to expand their network of contacts and friends. Regardless of the reasons why someone volunteers, everyone should know that it is a worthwhile activity that supports the common good while benefiting both the volunteer and their service community.

Potential volunteers and other interested parties can learn more about the rights of volunteers, as well as gain insight into their roles and responsibilities, by reading Volunteering Victoria’s helpful Guide for Volunteers.