Information contained in this article has been obtained from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website, Volunteering in aged care website.

Overview

Volunteers are a vital, but distinct element of the aged care workforce and are essential to the delivery of person-centred quality care.  

Volunteers support older people in residential aged care and those living in their own home. 

They are essential to:

• support the mental health and well-being of older people
• help to reduce their social isolation and loneliness
• provide companionship
• boost social and community connections
• improve the quality of life of older people.

Volunteers can provide support to older people in the following settings:

• residential aged care homes
• respite care
• the Home Care Package (HCP) Program
• the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Volunteer Eligibility and requirements

Each aged care provider has specific requirements for aged care volunteers. You will need to check these requirements with the individual provider.

Typically, volunteers need to:

• receive a National Police Check or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check
  • The NDIS Worker Screening Check will only be required if a volunteer is in a risk assessed role where the provider is a registered NDIS provider. The NDIS Commission provides more information on the requirements of the NDIS check.
  • If you already hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening clearance, you will not need an additional police check completed prior to volunteering in an aged care setting.
  • The Department has issued Worker Screening Guidelines, which provides more detailed information and includes volunteers.
• provide evidence of their recent flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination history.

Individual aged care providers will determine the minimum age requirements for volunteers.

Volunteers are expected to abide by:

• the Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code). You should always act in a way that is respectful kind, and consistent with the behaviours set out in the Code.
• privacy and confidentiality responsibilities in line with the Aged Care Act 1997 and privacy laws.
• the rights and responsibilities in the volunteer role description agreed to between a volunteer and the organisation they volunteer with
• Volunteers must fulfil and comply with current worker screening arrangements
• The Statement of Rights includes the right of an older person to have the important people in their life, including volunteers, recognised and respected
• Training requirements.

You don’t need prior experience in aged care, either professionally or personally. If you are worried about a lack of experience with older people, check out the various resources by EveryAGE Counts to bust some myths or go to our volunteers stories to hear what volunteering in aged care is really like.

Provider Requirements and Responsibilities

Aged care providers need to ensure that volunteers are:

• covered by appropriate volunteer insurance
• provided induction and role specific training, including on internal policies and procedures
• provided on-site supervision and access to a Volunteer Manager
• treated with respect and their volunteer involvement valued
• able to provide feedback to the organisation
• welcomed and supported to ensure older people stay connected
• Aware the rights, dignity, and needs of the individual is at the centre of care and support for older people.  Volunteers need to be aware of and uphold the The Statement of Rights
• Aware of volunteers can call out or report information, issues or concerns without fear of unfair treatment or reprisal. 

Under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Standards aged care providers are expected to:

• ensure volunteers have undertaken worker screening
• ensure volunteers have been provided access to training in line with their role
• record evidence of volunteer training
• provide ongoing support to enable volunteers to carry out their role
• regularly evaluate how their volunteers are performing their roles and identify, plan for and support any training and development they need.

This includes, for example, making sure training, policies and procedures are easily accessible and that volunteers understand their obligations to meet the Code of Conduct for Aged Care,  understand and act in accordance with the The Statement of Rights, and understand privacy and confidentiality responsibilities in line with the Aged Care Act 2024 and  privacy laws. 

The Sector Code for Visiting in Aged Care Homes includes volunteers as Essential Visitors; they may be a Named Visitor where an aged care resident does not have a Partner-in-Care.

Residential aged care providers should familiarise themselves with guidance on screening and managing visitors. Both providers and volunteers should familiarise themselves with COVID-19 advice for visitors to residential aged care homes.

Support and Training

Volunteers will be supported and trained by the aged care provider they volunteer with. Learn more about what you can expect, resources you can access and training pathways beyond volunteering over at Support and training for aged care volunteers | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Resources

A list of resources about volunteering in aged care for current and potential volunteers, volunteer managers and providers can be found on the Volunteering in aged care resources | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing page.

Aged Care Volunteering Opportunities

There are many different pathways you can take to become a volunteer. Learn more about opportunities in your local area, with each aged care provider or in a specific volunteering program.  Find aged care volunteering opportunities | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing contains links to search for volunteering opportunities in aged care in your state or territory.