Volunteering does not just happen; it requires investment.
As the peak body, Volunteering WA champions the volunteering community and provides support to volunteer-involving organisations throughout the State.
We work closely with Volunteering Australia and other state and territory volunteering peak bodies to advocate on issues of national importance and work collaboratively to align policy with industry best practice. We build relationships, undertake research and gather data and information to inform and support policy positions.
Priorities we are advocating for
- Fix the Volunteer Screening system, including removing fees for volunteer screening checks and providing a screening checks online portal.
- Conduct a review of the insurance arrangements applying to volunteers in Western Australia to identify current key issues and gaps and explore potential cost-effective options to deliver suitable, equitable insurance coverage for the sector.
- Support volunteering through the fuel crisis by providing temporary grants to provide relief from rising fuel costs.
- Support Volunteering Development Services at or above current funding levels for the recruitment and matching of volunteers to deliver vital services in the community.
- Commission regular State of Volunteering reporting to inform effective volunteering policy and service delivery.
Reduce the Burden Campaign
Volunteer-involving organisations and volunteers in WA consistently report that the cost of statutory volunteering screening is excessive and that the administration creates a significant barrier to volunteering.
Volunteering WA supports the need for screening to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for organisations, staff, volunteers and clients; however we advocates for opportunities to improve and streamline the screening process.
An Expert Reference Group on Volunteer Screening has been established to provide recommendations ~ further detail below.
