Latest News
National Volunteer Week Message from Minister Mark Butler
Click here to see the message.
First tertiary graduates in volunteer management honoured
Read Volunteers Minister, Ian Hunter's media release  here> VSA&NT Responds to Enquiries / Concerns re the Impact of the new WHS Laws
The impact of the proposed new model Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation has raised a number of enquiries and concerns from volunteers and organisations who rely on volunteers. Volunteering SA&NT, on behalf of the volunteering sector, have continuously raised concerns about inconsistencies and confusion in the current South Australian OHS legislation. Before the new WHS laws took effect, occupational health and safety legislation in Queensland, the ACT and the Northern Territory specifically covered volunteers. In all other jurisdictions volunteers were also owed duties if they were at a workplace and many owed duties as 'other persons' at a workplace.
Download the Full Release Here
GILLARD GOVERNMENT LISTENS TO SECTOR ON NOT-FOR-PROFIT REFORMS Media Release: SENATOR THE HON MARK ARBIB & THE HON MARK BUTLER MP
1 March 2012
Following extensive consultation with the not-for-profit sector, the Australian Government has announced it will extend the start date of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission to 1 October 2012.
Assistant Treasurer Mark Arbib and Minister for Social Inclusion Mark Butler said that the three month extension would provide more time for the sector and Government to continue to work closely together to finalise the legislation.
more "Since becoming Assistant Treasurer in December, I have listened to the sector's feedback about the importance of achieving these reforms, the pace of the reforms and the need for ongoing consultation prior to the introduction of the legislation into Parliament," Senator Arbib said. "These are the most important reforms to the sector in 100 years and it is important that we take the time to get the detail right. "The sector has provided a wealth of valuable feedback to the Government during the public consultations and this advice is shaping the new legislation. "This extension will also provide more time for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Implementation Taskforce to prepare and distribute further guidance materials to assist charities in the transitional period. "I thank the sector for their tremendous input into the consultations and I encourage organisations to continue to strongly engage with the consultation process." Minister Butler said the additional time would allow for further engagement with stakeholders, including the Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council and the Charities Consultative Committee. "The Gillard Government has announced the most ambitious reform agenda for Australia's not-for-profit sector in history, including establishing the first ever one-stop-shop regulator for the sector - the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission," Mr Butler said. "Many in the sector have been arguing for over a decade that regulatory reform is needed to help the sector grow and reduce red tape. "That is why we are working to develop a new national approach to fundraising laws, simplify the definition of charity and introduce a one-stop-shop regulator. "Effective engagement and consultation with the not-for-profit sector is critical to the shaping of the new Commission. "Starting a sector-specific Commission is an historic reform for not-for-profits in Australia, and the Government is working together with the sector to ensure it is done right," Mr Butler said. The Commission will determine charitable status (including public benevolent institution status) for all Commonwealth purposes, will provide education and support to the sector, will administer a single national regulatory and reporting framework and will maintain a public information portal. The extension in the commencement of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission will not affect the announced introduction of a general reporting framework and the establishment of a public information portal by 1 July 2013, as well as the introduction of a statutory definition of ?charity' by 1 July 2013. Further information about the reform agenda can be found at www.treasury.gov.au.
Supporting and Strengthening Volunteer Organisations
Media Release: The Hon Mark Butler MP
21 February 2012
Minister for Social Inclusion, Mark Butler, has announced new funding arrangements to support volunteering and connect Australian volunteers with disadvantaged communities across Australia.
more "The Volunteer Management Program (VMP), through which we support volunteering associations and resource centres across Australia, has been in place since 1992. Since then, there have been significant social, economic and technological changes which have impacted on how and where Australians volunteer," Mr Butler said.
"The way people volunteer is changing and the importance of training, online information, resources and services for our volunteers is growing.
"The new funding arrangements recognise and respond to these changes, and encourage greater innovation and collaboration in volunteering by creating more flexible funding, and by devoting funding to projects which can support volunteers on the ground."
Under the new funding arrangements:
Funding for VRCs in capital cities will be targeted to ensure these services are focussed in locations where they help to build capacity in disadvantaged communities.
The 32 regional VRCs will continue to be funded to operate in regional Australia, and their funding will be guaranteed for a period of 3 years (up from the current 12 months).
Funding for Volunteering Australia and state and territory peak bodies will be amalgamated into a new National Project Fund. The Fund will support the development of high quality training, support, tools, resources and advocacy for volunteers across the country.
"The changes to our volunteering programs will direct funding to where it is needed most, and where it will have maximum impact," Mr Butler said.
These changes build on the work done to develop the new National Volunteering Strategy and the Government's National Compact with the sector: working together.
"The Government wants to see a bright future for volunteering and for Volunteer Resource Centres in Australia. These new arrangements will encourage greater collaboration and innovation amongst our volunteering associations. Our changes will give greater certainty and more flexibility to funded organisations, and will ensure funding is targeted and used effectively," Mr Butler said.
A grants funding round will open in March 2012 for capital city VRCs in targeted locations. Funding for existing VRCs will continue until new services commence operation from 1 October 2012.
The first National Project Fund grants round will open in April 2012, with projects selected by the end of September 2012. Organisations with relevant experience, and consortia with expertise in developing tools and resources, are encouraged to apply to the Fund.
For all media enquiries, please contact the Minister's office on (02) 6277 7280 New Community CPS Partnership will help promote volunteering
Volunteering SA&NT has partnered with Community CPS to provide a wide array of local volunteer roles to their members.
If you are a Community CPS member in ACT, Hunter Valley, SA, Wagga Wagga or WA, you can become a part of Community Volunteers today by participating in any of the local, or national international volunteer roles, listed on the Community CPS website. Opportunities are for both one off and ongoing commitments.
2011 NT Volunteer Awards
Click here for more information and the winners and nominees
Treasury's Not‑for‑profit Reform Newsletter
Treasury has released its first not‑for‑profit reform newsletter - It is available at www.treasury.gov.au
New Scholarship Program for Young Volunteers
An annual $30,000 scholarship program has been announced by Volunteers Minister Grace Portolesi to encourage young South Australians to take part in volunteering.
Go to www.ofv.sa.gov.au/scholarshipawards.htm or phone 08 8463 4437 for more information.
Engaging Young People in Volunteering: What Works in Tasmania
Lindsey Moffatt, in partnership with Volunteering Tasmania (VT), launched the report Engaging young people in volunteering: what works in Tasmania. The report is a valuable piece of research on what works in youth volunteering in Tasmania.
The report provides a unique insight into the strategies of three Tasmanian volunteer-involving organisations which have successfully engaged and retained young people, and the experience of two peak bodies representing volunteering and young people in Tasmania.
The report focuses on people in the age range of sixteen to twenty-four, and is based on three elements identified as essential to a successful volunteer sector having willing volunteers and meaningful roles, and effective leadership.
The research provides valuable evidence of what it takes to cultivate interest in volunteering among young Tasmanians, how to create roles that are appropriate for young people, and the characteristics for successful leadership in youth volunteering. It will be a valuable resource in informing courses of actions to address the challenge of youth engagement in volunteering, and in tailoring processes to engage young.
Download the report
NT Volunteer Awards Announced During National Volunteer Week
Any member of the public may nominate a person or an organisation in the Northern Territory to rfeceive an award. Nominations open on 1 July 2011. For more information visit www.dcm.nt.gov.au/volunteers
See VSA&NT media release here
Volunteering SA&NT CEO on new council to cut red tape for not-for-profit sector
Minister for Social Inclusion Tanya Plibersek has announced the composition of the Federal Government's Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council.
The council will help drive the government's plans to reform the sector including cutting red tape and demonstrates the government's ongoing commitment to the not-for-profit sector.
Click here for the Minister's full Media Release
2010 National Survey of Volunteering Issues - key findings
Volunteering Australia's much anticipated 2010 National Survey of Volunteering Issues reveals that volunteering provides pathways to paid employment, a Volunteer Advisory Group will be established as part of the Gillard Government's plan to release a National Volunteering Strategy in 2011 and Network for Good reveals that the online giving experience has a significant impact on donor loyalty, retention, and gift levels.
2009 National Survey of Volunteering Issues The annual National Survey of Volunteering Issues conducted by Volunteering Australia provides an insight into the issues that affect volunteering in Australia
The 2009 survey attracted a record number of participants with more than 3,700 respondents taking part, ensuring a wide cross section of opinions was received from individual volunteers, volunteer involving organisations and companies with employee volunteer programs.
Click here for key findings and more information on the Survey.
The full report on the National Survey of Volunteering Issues is available to download here.
International Association for Volunteer Effort launches campaign to build support for IYV+10
2011 is the 10th Anniversary of the United Nation's International Year of Volunteers in 2001. The International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) is encouraging leadership to the international nongovernmental volunteer community in celebrating this global recognition of volunteering.
IAVE is calling on volunteers worldwide to sign up in support of the 10th anniversary of the UN International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10) in 2011. To build momentum for this important anniversary, IAVE needs you to add your voice to the call and make IVY+10 another landmark year for volunteering, and to encourage others to do so.
Click here to sign up.
Media Releases
National Compact Consultation Report. A media release from Senator The Hon Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector about the release of the Report and establishment of a National Compact Sector Advisory Group.
Productivity Commission report into the contribution of the not-for-profit sector. The Productivity Commission is the Australian Government's independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of Australians.
The report and a series of supporting appendices are available on the Productivity Commission website at www.pc.gov.au. | 
