We are here to help you grow a thriving volunteer community

As your volunteering peak body, Volunteering WA is here to support you and champion the volunteering community. Volunteering WA is 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.

The Volunteer Management Activity (VMA) is a national collaboration between volunteering peak bodies. The aim is to support a consistent approach to inclusive volunteer management excellence.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, we’re here to make things easier. We can provide support to meet best practice and align with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.

Volunteering WA values the knowledge and experience of community partners, and nurtures ongoing relationships. The voices of people with lived experience are vital to volunteering, which reflects our diverse communities.

Volunteering WA provides online tools, resources and training. We are growing a library of new resources to support your programs and help you lead a diverse team of volunteers. 

Through our annual VMA project grants, we have partnerships that provide resources to help foster inclusive and accessible organisations.  

In 2023/24 an overview report of the reach and impact of the VMA across Australia was produced, gives some insight as to how the VMA program has partnered with and supported VIOs

Implementing the Volunteer Management Activity (VMA) in Western Australia

What is the Volunteer Management Activity (VMA)?

The VMA is a current stream of federal funding aimed at strengthening volunteering across Australia until June 2026. Support for volunteering is funded federally through the Department of Social Services (DSS). Volunteering State /Territory peak bodies have been appointed to deliver the VMA across their jurisdictions.

The VMA program focus is:

  • The delivery of best practice online services in volunteer management to build the capacity of volunteer involving organisations and Volunteer Resource Centres across the State. This function is undertaken by the state peak bodies including Volunteering WA in Western Australia. Support includes one-on-one information and resources as well training offered through Volunteering WA.
  • Supporting organisations to break down barriers to volunteering faced by the identified priority groups: People with Disabilities, First Nations People, Newly Arrived Migrants, Youth (12-18 years), Unemployed and Vulnerable Women. This is the focus of Volunteering WA’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group, projects, and grants, where we partner with volunteering organisations, Volunteer Resource Centres, peak bodies and people with lived experience. This information is shared widely with the sector to build capacity for volunteer involving organisations to engage with priority group volunteers.

Who can participate in the annual VMA Inclusion Project Grants in WA

  • An organisation does not need to have been a previous recipient of VMA funding in-order to participate.
  • Organisations that have expertise and experience in working with any of the priority groups and can support breaking down barriers to volunteering.
  • Any organisation seeking to engage the priority groups in volunteering across regional, rural and remote areas of WA.

Why an annual Project-based Grants program approach to inclusion in volunteering in WA?
Volunteering WA’s annual inclusion project grants are designed to engage a greater range of organisations in the sector. This enables greater collaboration, inclusion of those with knowledge and experience working with priority groups and understanding of regional, rural and remote circumstances. The annual project grants program commences at the beginning of each financial year until the end of June 2026.

This approach to volunteering inclusion allows:

  • WA’s volunteering sector to be able to propose suitable co-designed projects
  • A transparent process that guides funding proposals and project achievements
  • Volunteering organisations are supported to achieve inclusive volunteer management
  • Enhancement of the breadth and depth of the sector
  • Generation of proactive engagement with diverse communities.

Where can I find out more about Volunteering WA’s Annual Project Grants?
Visit www.volunteeringwa.org.au/resources/grants or phone 9482 4333

Where can I find out more about best practice volunteer management?
Visit www.volunteeringwa.org.au/volunteer-management

See what training and events are coming up: www.volunteeringwa.org.au/training-and-events

Visit the National Volunteering Knowledge Base https://volunteering.freshdesk.com/support/home