Career Development for Managers

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The backbone of Western Australian volunteer programs.

Volunteer Managers and Coordinators are responsible for leading volunteer programs, and recruiting and managing volunteers.

There are more than 1.5 million volunteers in Western Australia making incredible impact, which could not happen without the volunteer-involving organisations, and Volunteer Managers, Leaders and Coordinators who drive these programs.

Volunteer Managers and Coordinators are responsible for leading volunteer programs, and recruiting and managing volunteers.

Dependent on the activity, or size of a charity, Volunteer Managers could be volunteers themselves, or career managers in part or fulltime salaried roles.

Responsibilities can vary dependent on the size of the organisation, and could include:

  • Promoting, recruiting and matching volunteers to different roles
  • Onboarding, training and inductions
  • Designing and delivering volunteer roles and community programs aligned with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Did you know?

In 2025, ‘Volunteer Coordinator’ was officially recognised as an occupation in the inaugural edition of the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA). This followed a widespread review of Australian and New Zealand occupations, but also reflects the advocacy of Volunteering Australia and the Australian peak bodies for volunteering.

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Careers Board

Organisations across WA are recruiting the following salaried or volunteer volunteer management and coordination roles. If you would like to advertise your role here, please complete this form. Please note that full Volunteering WA members will be given priority.

Salaried

Volunteer

Cert IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs (CHC44015)

Volunteering WA in partnership with The Centre for Volunteering, through the National School of Volunteer Management (SVM) [RTO code 90031], is pleased to offer the Certificate IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs (CHC44015). This is a nationally recognised course from the CHC Community Services Training Package.

This online 12 month course has been developed with the not-for-profit or community service professional in mind and is responsive to the latest trends and requirements for volunteer coordinators in Australia. This course will enhance your thinking on how to operate more effectively in a challenging environment often with limited resources and you will learn new technologies and innovative processes to manage and enrich volunteer worker experiences and to channel that energy into productive outcomes.

How does it work?

To undertake this qualification you must be currently working or volunteering in a role with coordination responsibilities. We have put together a training package that includes the Certificate IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs (CHC44015) which is 11 units of competency along with 1 National Standards workshop run by Volunteering WA and the attendance of 2 Volunteering WA networking events.

If you are registered for the CPD program, 12 points are awarded upon completion of the Cert IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs, up to 2 points for Volunteering WA’s National Standards workshop.

Learn more and enrol

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers

Endorsed by Volunteering Australia, the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers (PLV) is proudly offered by Volunteering WA.

The CPD PLV provides a formal and flexible pathway to enhance knowledge, build skills, and improve future employability through this nationally recognised accreditation program and its core aim is to acknowledge the professionalism and impact of volunteer leadership, while raising awareness of the vital role leaders of volunteers play across Western Australia.

This program is exclusively available to Volunteering WA member organisations and their leaders of volunteers, with eligibility subject to specific conditions.

How does it work?

The CPD PLV Program is a structured, yet flexible professional development pathway designed for leaders of volunteers. Once enrolled, participants work toward earning 16 CPD points through a mix of activities that enhance their leadership skills and sector knowledge.

These points can be attained through a combination of professional development opportunities:

  • Attending professional development events and training offered by Volunteering WA, Peak bodies, industry related or their own organisation.
  • Reading relevant industry articles and newsletters.
  • Mentoring colleagues or peers in volunteer management.
  • Writing a reflective piece on their leadership journey.
  • Participating in endorsed training or sector-related committees

“The program has been a truly valuable experience that strengthened both my confidence and capability in my role.”

Free to all new members of Volunteering WA and or participants who will be completing the CPD PLV for the first time. From year 2 onwards the cost is $50+ GST per annum.

To participate in the program, we recommend reading the CPD Fact Sheet and CPD FAQs, then enrol by filling out an application form.

CPD Alumni

Previous participants include:

  • Susanne Becker-Hamersley, Volunteer South West
  • Liana French, City of Perth
  • Erin Geurds-Cook, Girl Guides WA
  • Denise Gray, Citizen Advocacy
  • Brenda Hamlett, Girl Guides WA
  • Natalie Hewitt, Girl Guides WA
  • Gail Maddigan, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • Tracey Marsh, Salvos Stores (WA)
  • Faith Materu, Australian Red Cross
  • Jane McCrea, Rockingham Volunteer Resource Centre
  • Jo Muller, People Who Care
  • Allison Rayner, St John WA
  • Vicki Shiel, Girl Guides WA
  • Karen Strange, Wheatbelt & Beyond Youth Mentoring
  • Clare Varcoe, Girl Guides WA
  • Shamara Williams, Volunteer South West
Apply now Contact us

Join the Volunteer Manager Network to connect with peers

Volunteering WA hosts 6–8 Volunteer Manager Network meetings each year for professionals who coordinate or manage volunteers across our member organisations.

Open to both new and experienced volunteer managers, these forums provide a supportive space to connect with peers, share ideas, and discuss the real-world challenges of volunteer coordination.

Meetings are delivered as a mix of online and in-person events, enabling regional participation. Each session typically centres on a theme, featuring guest speakers or external experts, followed by open discussion and peer-to-peer learning.

The Volunteer Manager Network is free for Volunteering WA members, with a small fee for non-members.

Attendance can contribute up to 0.5 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points per meeting.

See Members Upcoming Sessions

International Volunteer Managers Day

International Volunteer Managers Day is celebrated around the world on 5 November each year.

Every day across Western Australia thousands of paid and unpaid volunteer managers support Western Australia’s 1.5 million volunteers to deliver much needed services that enhance the lives of those in need. Volunteer Managers lead with passion, wisdom and imagination and provide the leadership and direction that allow volunteers to contribute to the community.

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Have questions?

We’re here to make things easier. We can provide the resources, training and tools to meet best practice and align with National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
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