Volunteering is defined by Volunteering Australia as:
"Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain."
Concepts deemed outside this definition include:
- Compulsory educational service learning (where students are required to perform unpaid work as part of a course)
- Mandated court orders including community service and fines
- Internships
- Formal work experience / vocational placements
- Mandatory government programs
- Limited choice labour market government programs
Background
Introduced in 2015, Volunteering Australia’s Definition of Volunteering has a set of explanatory notes, a detailed Issues Paper that provides background and context, and a set of FAQs around it.
In May 2017 Volunteering Australia released a FAQs Supplement based on further queries and discussions Volunteering Australia has had since the launch.
Downloads
Full information about the Definition of Volunteering – July 2015
Definition of Volunteering FAQs – July 2015
Definition of Volunteering FAQs Supplement – May 2017
Issues Paper – December 2014 – A sub-committee of researchers on the National Steering Committee, produced an Issues Paper to provide stakeholders with an understanding of the dimensions of volunteering both here in Australia and globally.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article