Overview

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. If you are unsure, consult with Services Australia regarding your specific situation.

Some Centrelink clients may be eligible to elect to volunteer to meet their Mutual Obligation Requirements. An individual’s eligibility to volunteer as part of their activity requirements will depend on that particular individual’s Mutual Obligation Requirements.

Some changes to Voluntary Work came into effect on 1 July 2024 for certain income support recipients undertaking Voluntary Work to meet their Mutual Obligation requirements.

These changes include the new streamlined Voluntary Work form that came into effect at the same time.

Volunteer Involving Organisations who are Not-For-Profit organisations no longer need to apply for approval to take on Centrelink Volunteers for their volunteer programs.

The SU461 form has been replaced by the SU462 form and is to be completed by both the job seeker and the Volunteer Involving Organisation (the Host Organisation) The new form is available here – Verification of Voluntary Work Form – and a job seeker needs to complete the first section of the form, with the Host having to complete page 2 of the form.

Voluntary Work Organisations must:

• Be not-for-profit and community based, or a government sector agency (for example, a school or hospital).
• have current appropriate public liability and personal accident/voluntary workers insurance

A form needs to be completed for each job seeker who wants to volunteer with a Host Organisation. Services Australia no longer approves overarching organisations and therefore each individual job seeker and voluntary work placement has to be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Completed forms and supporting documentation need to be sent or taken to a service centre for processing. Any enquiries about the status of your application should be referred to the service centre the form was given to.

Once a job seeker is approved to undertake Voluntary Work with a Host Organisation, the onus is on the job seeker to inform their Host Organisation of the outcome of this process. 

Further information is available here - Providing voluntary work opportunities - Community groups - Services Australia

Additional information on job seeker obligations when undertaking activities to fully meet their obligations (including Voluntary Work) is available here: If you’re a parent, have reduced work capacity or you’re 55 or over (workforceaustralia.gov.au).

Supporting Documentation

Evidence of Not-For-Profit Status:

• Articles of, or a certificate of incorporation
• A copy of your organisation’s constitution
• A copy of your registration or membership with the regional, state or national Volunteer Centre.

Evidence of Insurances:

• A certificate of currency or,
• A notice in writing from your provider. For more information visit humanservices.gov.au

For more information on Mutual Obligation Requirements and who has mutual obligation requirements visit the Mutual Obligation Requirements page on the Department of Social Services website.