Volunteering

Volunteers are the life blood of communities across Victoria and everyone’s contribution is valued.

Healthier people in healthier communities

Volunteering has significant benefits for both the individual and the community as a whole. Volunteering is a great way for people, regardless of their age, cultural background, location or circumstances, to get involved in the community. It can bring immense personal satisfaction for the volunteer as well as making communities more active, confident and resilient.

For communities

Victorian communities can grow in depth and strength through the efforts of volunteers and volunteering organisations. Communities build stronger and more lasting ties, and activities can have continued and long-term effects. These outcomes can be at a practical level such as a revegetation project or at a more emotional level through a renewed sense of community spirit.

For individuals

Research shows that people who volunteer report better physical and mental health as well as improved employment opportunities. Volunteering allows people to learn new skills, meet people and create networks, as well as providing a sense of belonging through team work and getting involved in the local community.

Volunteering support

The Victorian Government recognises how volunteering in the community can vastly increase social inclusion and participation for our diverse population. A key challenge to volunteering is to adequately address the increasing gap between the type of volunteering opportunities traditionally available and the ways in which people are able to give their time.

VolunteerFest: Valuing diversity in volunteering

In partnership with the Office for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC) the Valuing Diversity in Volunteering program aims to:

  • Recognise the important contribution people from diverse backgrounds (CALD, youth and people with a disability) make to strengthening Victorian communities through volunteering;
  • Promote volunteering to people from diverse backgrounds, and
  • Promote the value of recruiting volunteers from diverse backgrounds to volunteer organisations

Volunteering resources

Free online support for volunteering in Victoria is available through a suite of information, resources and tools to help volunteer-involving organisations manage their organisation and manage their volunteers, including topics on planning volunteer programs, recruiting volunteers, encouraging diversity, insurance and workplace health and safety.

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