Community support

Volunteering is a partnership between you and the organisation you are working with. As a volunteer, you can expect induction, training if you need it and a safe environment to work in. It’s also important to give and receive feedback, and do work that reflects the mission or purpose of the volunteer organisation while meeting new people and having some fun. 

Expect your host organisation to:

• provide sufficient training and orientation for you to carry out your volunteer role effectively
• be clear about their expectations of you
• keep you informed
• respect your opinions and ideas and give them fair consideration.

The organisation you are working with will expect you to:

• do the job you have agreed to do
• be honourable and respectful to others
• be accountable for your actions
• accept directions 
• tell them when something goes wrong or isn’t working
• co-operate with other volunteers and staff
• respect property, materials and equipment
• be open to change and ready to learn new skills.

On this page you will find information about: 

Induction
Training and support  
Being safe and protected  
Police checks  
Giving and receiving feedback  
Assignments that reflect the mission of the host organisation

Induction

Often organisations provide an induction when you start a new role, whether it’s voluntary or paid.

This could be done in various ways:

• an online induction package that allows you to learn about the organisation and the work site, and where perhaps you provide some answers to questions to check your understanding
• an induction manual that you read
• a verbal presentation or walk-around with a member of the organisation’s staff or another volunteer.

Induction activities are designed to provide new starters with the information they need for their role and to help them understand how the organisation works. A good induction ensures that new volunteers feel comfortable and confident to start their new role.

Volunteer induction often focuses on policies - eg safety, working with vulnerable clients, anti-discrimination. Even if this doesn't seem interesting at the time, it's useful and important information. Staff induction may also cover practicalities including:

• how to conduct common administrative tasks - eg answering the phone, where to find stationary
• how to work with customers - eg listening, identifying their needs, providing services
• what key information systems exist – eg an intranet or staff website, regular meetings for volunteers
• the locations that the organisation’s services cover and how to find your way around.

[top of page]

Training and support

The right training and support can make a big difference to how comfortable you feel and your enjoyment of volunteering. It may be as simple as having a buddy for the first few shifts who can teach you the role and show you around. Some of the questions you can ask include:

• Do I need training?
• Is the required training provided and paid for by the organisation?
• Will I be supported while I am learning?
• Can the training lead to other opportunities?

Training and skill requirements vary between organisations and roles. Some positions may need limited or even no training, whilst for other positions the training will be more significant. Many organisations cover the costs for required training, however it's advisable to check first. 

A variety of free training programs for volunteers is funded by the State Government. To find out more about free training available, contact Volunteering SA & NT, Limestone Coast Volunteer Resource Centre on 8762 4795 or Port Augusta City Council 8641 9100. 

Free training modules are available to download. Other free or low cost training opportunities are also offered by organisations that match people to volunteering roles. These include 

• Volunteer Resource Centres 
• Local and district councils 
• TAFE
• online through a range of organisations including:
  • National Volunteer Skills Centre
  • Volunteer Resource Centre
  • TAFE

[top of page]

Being safe and protected

All volunteers are entitled to a safe and healthy working environment. It’s important that you always feel safe in your role and protected from harm.

Organisations take responsibility by:

• providing personal protective equipment (PPE) if their role exposes them to a risk of injury - eg fire-fighting or rescue services. This may include protective overalls, safety helmet, goggles, hearing protection, safety footwear and gloves
• providing other appropriate clothing for health and safety or promotional reasons – eg a T-shirt that promotes a special event.

Volunteers can also be proactive about their own health and safety by:

• being familiar with the organisation’s health and safety procedures
• knowing who to talk to about health and safety issues
• informing a volunteer supervisor, co-ordinator or manager if they are suffering from an injury or illness that has occurred while working as a volunteer
• being aware of the physical and psychological risks of their role and how to control those risks.

Police checks

There can often be a legal requirement for organisations to conduct police checks. For example, if volunteers work with vulnerable members of the community, such as:

• children
• the elderly
• people with a disability.

If a police check is needed, your organisation will ask for your permission and, in many cases organise a free police check on your behalf.

Police checks will sometimes be conducted by volunteer-involving organisations as part of their recruitment process. A police check or national police certificate provides an Australia-wide summary of a person’s criminal history.

More information can be found on the Police checks page on this site.

Free police checks

Free police checks for volunteers who work with vulnerable groups are provided by the South Australian Government. More information is contained in a fact sheet about free police checks (PDF 3.1MB) for volunteers.

[top of page]

Giving and receiving feedback

It's important that volunteers get feedback on their performance.  Organisations try and make sure that you know what's expected of you and how you are going. You can expect that they will provide you with updated information if things change.

Make a contribution by making sure the organisation is aware when there are issues that need to be resolved, and by suggesting new ideas or better ways of doing things.

Assignments that reflect the mission of the organisation

Most volunteers join a particular organisation so that they can contribute to a specific goal or activity. Organisations will generally try and make sure that their volunteers understand the connection between what they are doing and the outcomes they want volunteers to contribute to.

More information