The Definition of Volunteering

Frequently Asked Questions

• It has been over fifteen years since Volunteering Australia first launched their definition of volunteering.

• Volunteering Australia’s previous definition of volunteering did not accurately reflect the many and varied ways that volunteers contribute to society.

• Other States and Territories (including Volunteering Tasmania) had developed more contemporary definitions of volunteering to reflect contemporary volunteering practices

• A revised national definition was required to bring alignment across all States and Territories

Why have a new definition of volunteering?

• In 1996, Volunteering Australia agreed to a definition of formal volunteering.

• Formal volunteering was defined as: • an activity which takes place through not for profit organisations or

projects and is undertaken: • to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer; • of the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion; • for no financial payment; and • in designated volunteer positions only.

• There were also a number of principles accompanying this definition

What was the former definition of volunteering?

• The Review of Volunteering Australia’s Definition of Volunteering was initiated in late 2013.

• A National Steering Committee was established to lead the review, containing representatives working in a range of sectors and jurisdictions.

• Existing definitions of volunteering were examined by the Steering Committee, and are summarised in the Issues Paper.

• National consultation was conducted, comprising: • Release and communication of the Issues Paper• Interviews with key experts in volunteering; • Nationwide information Sessions• National online survey for stakeholders to have their say on a potential new definition.

• The national consultation provided the Steering Committee with a basis to present a recommended new definition of volunteering to the Volunteering Australia Board in June 2015

• The Volunteering Australia Board adopted the recommended definition of volunteering in July 2015

How was the new definition developed?

• The new definition provides a nuanced understanding of the way volunteering looks in contemporary Australia.

• The new definition allows Volunteering peak bodies to formally recognise, new and emerging trends in volunteering including: • Virtual (digital) volunteering• Emergency /spontaneous volunteering• Corporate volunteering• Events based volunteering • Micro volunteering

What has changed under the new definition?

• The new definition of volunteering better recognises the many and varied ways Australians donate their time.

• The new definition of volunteering captures a wider range of volunteering activities. In doing so, the definition will help us: • Understand the diversity and scale within the volunteer community; • Understand the economic contribution of volunteering in society; • Recognise and acknowledge a wider range of volunteering activities;

and • Support a wider variety of volunteering activities.

• The new definition will enable us to better support and celebrate volunteering that was unrecognised under the former definition.

What is the point of changing a definition?

• The new definition of volunteering may not impact on the way that Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) go about their daily duties.

• The new definition may, however, enable VIOs to consider: • stereotypes around volunteering; • the potential to make volunteering more attractive and accessible; • recognition of a diverse range of volunteer roles

• In doing so VIOs could consider their workforce/strategic planning around:• Measuring volunteering • Managing volunteer programs; • Volunteer insurance; • Recruitment and retention of volunteers

Will the definition impact Volunteer Involving Organisations?

• Volunteering is undertaken for no financial gain

• Volunteers may be rewarded and recognised as part of good practice. This may introduce some small financial element to the volunteering activity or a tangible benefit. This does not exclude the activity from being classed as volunteering.

• Volunteers can receive reimbursement of expenses

• Volunteers may also receive an honorarium, stipend or similar payment as recognition for voluntary services or professional services voluntarily rendered, in accordance with Australian Taxation Office rulings.

What Does ‘Without Financial Gain’ Mean?

• The ‘common good’ refers to an act of volunteering that directly or indirectly benefits people outside the family or household.

• A core element of volunteering is that it contributes to community well being. This includes all sectors of society, including (but not limited to):

• Arts/heritage/culture • Business/professional/union • Education and training • Emergency services • Environment • Faith-based • Health • International aid/development • Law/justice/political • Parenting, children and youth • Sport and physical recreation • Welfare/community

What Does ‘The Common Good’ Mean?

• Under the new definition of volunteering, political activism can be considered volunteering.

• Including political activism in the new definition of volunteering, brings Australia in line with the current United Nations definition of volunteering.

• The United Nations considers that activism can be considered as volunteering as long as there is an intention to achieve beneficial outcomes.

• The United Nations recognises that activism can only be considered volunteering when it does not involve or incite violence . The principle of ‘do no harm’ is intrinsic to volunteering.

Is Political Activism Volunteering?