Supporting volunteer organisations

Community organisations will receive legal support to help keep volunteers safe and better manage their organisations.

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan today announced a $250,000 grant to Justice Connect to deliver simple online legal resources to help not-for-profit organisations.

Justice Connect will assess the legal risks of volunteer programs so they can confidently run safe and successful events and programs.

“Australians are generous people, with more than 8.7 million volunteers giving up their time to support others in the community,” Mr Tehan said.

“This program will ensure community organisations understand their responsibilities, rights and applicable protections, which will help them attract more volunteers and keep them safe.”

Justice Connect CEO Chris Povey said, “Justice Connect has been providing free-legal help to community organisations and vulnerable Australians for over 25 years, and this innovative approach to making vital resources available to not-for-profit organisations will further assist organisations recruit, manage and maintain volunteers.”

Justice Connect’s suite of tools will be available from later this year, and will include apps, e-learning modules, webinars, and a comprehensive national guide of best practice.

The funding was provided as part of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership, which brings together leaders from the business and community sectors to promote philanthropic giving and investment in Australia.

This week, thousands of National Volunteer Week events will take place around the country. To find an event near you, visit www.volunteeringaustralia.org/nvw-events/.