Volunteering Queensland - inVOLve Module 2: Prepare

What is Volunteering?

The term volunteering has the potential to mean different things to different people.

So what is volunteering…

Volunteering Australia defines formal volunteering as an activity which takes place in not-for-profit programs or projects and is undertaken:  to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer;  of the volunteers own free will and without coercion; for no financial payment; and in designated volunteer positions only.

Under this definition, there are some forms of work that are not considered to be volunteer work, such as Work Experience; Community Service Orders; Student Placements; Unpaid Work Trials; Work for the Dole Schemes; Carers.

More broadly speaking, volunteering is a way for people to connect with community, for whatever reasons. Some may have traditional altruistic reasons; some may wish to meet people in the area; some join because they are asked or a friend is involved; and others may want to try something new or learn a new skill.


Volunteering is a pathway for people to get involved.


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