Volunteer workplace rights and obligations

It is estimated that nearly 6 million people volunteer their time, knowledge and expertise through various organisations annually across Australia. Volunteers are not covered by any State or Federal employment awards or workplace agreements, however, they still have workplace rights that are protected in legislation.

What is a volunteer?

There is no set legal definition of a volunteer, however, the Fair Work Ombudsman considers a volunteer to be:

"someone who does work for the main purpose of benefitting someone else, such as a church, sporting club, government school, charity or community organisation. Volunteers are not employees and don't have to be paid"

Volunteering Australia has defined volunteering as "time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain."