Volunteer Management Activity (VMA)

What is the Volunteer Management Activity?

Creating a thriving and inclusive volunteering ecosystem across Australia

The Australian Government Department of Social Services’ Volunteer Management Activity is administered through State and Territory volunteering peak bodies in partnership with local community organisations. It supports volunteer involving organisations to effectively recruit, train, support, and retain volunteers, and breaks down barriers to volunteering; and increase opportunities for people to volunteer in their local community.

Our focus

We support you and champion the volunteering community, so you can focus on making a difference.

The 2021–2026 Volunteer Management Activity aimed to increase opportunities for people to participate in the social and economic life of their broader community through volunteering, by:

Building effective volunteering practices and opportunities within organisations and communities.
Increasing the diversity of volunteers.
Improving access to information on volunteering.
Providing access to the training and resources that support volunteers and volunteer involving organisations need.

Our impact

In 2025, the Volunteer Management Activity Impact Booklet was developed to provide insight into how the program has helped create an inclusive volunteering ecosystem across Australia over the past five years, across the three Pillars of Success:

Increased opportunities to participate and the reduction of barriers that prevent the inclusion of volunteers from identified priority groups.
High quality and accessible volunteering based on the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
Improved accessibility and range of quality volunteer management products and services across each jurisdiction.

2022-2026 Impact Booklet (48 pages PDF)

The Volunteering Peak Bodies’ National Strategic Approach

The volunteering peak bodies work locally in their own states and territories and form a strong national network. Working collaboratively we are responsible for delivering programs and services that sustain volunteering, increase participation, and support volunteer involving organisations across the country. The power of this national network and collaboration leads to incredible changes in the community.

Working together, we help support volunteer involving organisations recruit, retain and grow a thriving volunteer community; and foster inclusive and accessible cultures and practices where volunteers thrive.

Volunteer Management Activity: Year One 2021–2022

The first year delivery of the new Volunteer Management Activity focused on awareness, engagement, exploration and review of the new model, and building partnerships with existing and new stakeholders.

Volunteer Management Activity: Years Two to Five 2022–2026

Our delivery during this period focused on innovation and adoption of the Volunteer Management Activity aligned with the National Strategy for Volunteering (2023). We experienced and led a huge cultural shift and change management piece across the national volunteering sector, building relationships, developing processes and educational tools, and breaking down barriers. Our work covered key areas such as Project Partnerships (including grant delivery), community outreach, building sector capacity through training and online resources, and facilitating co-design projects and special interest groups.

The work has just started through this successful funding model.

Continuation of the VMA from 1 July 2026

As the end of the VMA 2022-2026 funding neared, the Australian Government Department of Social Services conducted a Volunteer Management Activity Evaluation, released January 2026.

It was noted the Volunteer Management Activity is increasing the capability and capacity of volunteer-involving organisations to engage, support and manage volunteers through online management tools and breaking down volunteering barriers for identified priority groups. There are always opportunities for continuous improvement and Volunteering WA is looking forward to working with the Department on consultation opportunities around the future of the program.

Read the Volunteer Management Activity Evaluation (PDF)

Read the Volunteer Management Activity Evaluation (Word)

Explore work supported through the Volunteer Management Activity

The 2021–2026 activity period has been one of huge opportunity, collaboration, momentum and change. We are proud to feature just some of the people and communities who have felt the impact of our programs.

National Delivery

Australia’s volunteering peak bodies are proud to partner with the Australian Government Department of Social Services in the delivery of the Volunteer Management Activity.

We’re here to make things easier.

As your peak body, we aim to be your go-to place for all things volunteering. Whether the need is big or small, you can come to us for reliable resources and advice.

Volunteer Management Resources Contact us

Perth African Sporting Association utilised grant funding to research barriers to volunteering, conduct community visits, and start new initiatives to support their volunteers.
Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council put funding towards Rise and Shine, a culturally-grounded mentoring program to give Aboriginal girls leadership and life skills.
The Shire of Carnarvon used VMA funding for their Art of Volunteering Project. This allowed them to transform a local bus stop, create a sculpture for proper lithium battery disposal awareness, and run art classes for the community.