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| Volunteering Australia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Volunteering Australia |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Type | Non-profit peak body |
| Location | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Area served | Australia |
| Mission | Support and promote volunteering across Australia |
Volunteering Australia is the national peak body representing the interests of volunteering and volunteers in Australia. It operates from Canberra and engages with a range of stakeholders including national institutions, state and territory bodies, and international networks to shape policy, programs, and public awareness. The organisation collaborates with corporate partners, philanthropic foundations, and community organisations to support volunteers and promote civic participation across urban and regional areas.
Volunteering Australia emerged in 1999 during an era of reform involving John Howard, Gareth Evans, and sector leaders reacting to shifts after the 1990s recession in Australia, alongside inputs from state-level organisations such as Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering NSW, Volunteering Victoria, and Volunteering Western Australia. Early impetus coincided with major events including the 2000 Summer Olympics and inquiries like the Productivity Commission (Australia), which influenced national volunteer management practices. Subsequent milestones reflected responses to crises such as the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, the 2010–2011 Queensland floods, and the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, prompting collaboration with emergency management actors including the Australian Red Cross, State Emergency Service (Australia), and the Rural Fire Service networks. International frameworks like the United Nations Volunteers and policies from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development also informed its development.
The organisation is governed by a board of directors drawn from sectors influenced by figures linked to institutions such as the Australian National University, University of Melbourne, and Griffith University. Its structure reflects relationships with regional member organisations including Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering South Australia, and Volunteering ACT, and it liaises with peak bodies like the Australian Council of Social Service and the Business Council of Australia. Governance arrangements align with standards promoted by bodies such as the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and corporate partners including BHP and Westpac. Operating units include policy, research, communications, and training teams that coordinate with emergency responders such as Australian Defence Force liaison officers during crisis volunteering.
Programs span capacity building, digital platforms, training accreditation, and research. Initiatives link with academic collaborators at Monash University, University of Sydney, and Deakin University to produce volunteer management resources. Service offerings include guidance co-developed with professional organisations like Australasian Association of Social Workers, Australian Institute of Management, and Institute of Community Directors Australia. National campaigns have been staged alongside cultural partners such as Museum of Australian Democracy, National Museum of Australia, and media organisations including ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), SBS Television, and The Sydney Morning Herald to raise volunteer recruitment and retention.
Advocacy work involves submissions to inquiries from the Parliament of Australia and engagement with ministers from portfolios tied to figures who have served in cabinets alongside Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. Policy influence includes collaboration with regulators like the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on governance topics and interactions with the Department of Health and Aged Care and the National Disability Insurance Agency on volunteer roles in health and disability sectors. The organisation contributes evidence to commissions and reviews including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and consults with human rights institutions such as the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Funding derives from partnerships with philanthropic entities such as the Ian Potter Foundation, Myer Foundation, and corporate sponsors including Telstra and Commonwealth Bank. Collaborations extend to international partners like Volunteering England and United Nations Development Programme, and domestic connections with local governments such as City of Melbourne, City of Sydney, and regional councils. Program delivery often involves alliances with service providers including St John Ambulance Australia, Salvation Army, Anglicare Australia, and community legal centres affiliated with the Law Council of Australia.
The organisation’s impact is reflected in national surveys and reports produced with partners such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics, CSIRO, and higher education research centres that document volunteer participation across sectors like health, disaster response, arts, and sport, linking to entities such as Cancer Council Australia, Australian Red Cross, Sport Australia, and Arts Queensland. Recognition has come through awards and acknowledgements from bodies such as the Order of Australia, the National Volunteer Week endorsement, and accolades presented at events hosted by the Governor-General of Australia and state governors. Outcomes have influenced policy frameworks used by service systems including aged care providers regulated under instruments referenced by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Challenges include demographic shifts identified by researchers at Griffith University and University of Queensland, digital transformation pressures associated with platforms like Google and Microsoft Corporation, and sustainability of funding amid changing priorities at sources such as the Australian Government and philanthropy trends tracked by the Centre for Social Impact. Future directions emphasize evidence-based practice through partnerships with institutions like the Lowy Institute, investment in volunteer inclusion aligned with advocacy from the Australian Human Rights Commission, and resilience planning in concert with emergency management agencies including Fire and Rescue NSW and the Bureau of Meteorology. Strategic objectives also reference international commitments exemplified by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and cooperative engagement with regional actors in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
Category:Volunteering organizations in Australia