Advocacy and Policy
As the peak body for volunteering in Western Australia we work with policy makers at all levels of government. Public policy can help – or hinder – the inclusion, advancement and celebration of volunteering.
We seek to work constructively and proactively to support evidence-based policy that is reflective of the experience of volunteers and our members.
We work closely with Volunteering Australia and other state and territory volunteering peak bodies to advocate on issues of national importance and work collaboratively to align policy with industry best practice.
Volunteering WA is active in a number of policy initiatives including participation in the Minister for Volunteering’s Volunteering Community Reference Group and making or contributing to submissions and reports.
Our Volunteer Leaders and Volunteer Resource Centres Networks contribute to policy priorities and settings.
In addition to these more formal channels, we build relationships, undertake research and gather data and information to inform and support policy positions. This work can lead to the development of volunteering information resources such as fact sheets and other publications.
Key themes
While the breadth of areas that volunteering touches on is highly diverse, common themes include the need for:
- Recognition of the diversity of portfolios which benefit and rely on volunteering
- Greater and more explicit consultation with and recognition of volunteering sector
- Funded national and state based volunteering strategies
- Increased investment in volunteering infrastructure and capacity
- New approaches to adapt to changes in volunteer participation
Advocacy and policy submissions
See below for the public submissions we have made, solely or in collaboration with Volunteering Australia or volunteering peak bodies in other states or territories.
- Submission to the Inquiry into Workforce Australia Employment Services (March 2023)
- Submission to the Select Committee on Australia's Disaster Resilience (February 2023)
- Submission to the Measuring What Matters Statement (January 2023)
- Submission to Exposure Draft of the Inspector General of Aged Care Bill (January 2023)
- Pre Budget Submission 2023-24 (January 2023)
- Submission to the 10-Year Health and Social Care Workforce Strategy (September 2022)
- Open Letter to Minister Cook, Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade; Tourism; Commerce; Science regarding: Lifting Accessibility Standards For New Homes In The National Construction Code (NCC) (August 2022)
- Aged Care Data Strategy (September 2022)
- Submission on Regulatory Model for Aged Care (October 2022)
- Submission to the Productivity Commission (October 2022)
- 10-Year Health and Social Care Workforce Strategy (Volunteering WA Submission)
- Volunteering WA Submission to the Department of Communities on the development of the WA Seniors Strategy (June 2022)
- Submission to the ABS on review of the General Social Survey (April 2022)
- Submission to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety on the Associations Incorporation Act Review 2022 (April 2022)
- Submission to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services on the Community Disaster Resilience Strategy (March 2022)
- Submission to the Independent Review of the 2021 Wooroloo Bushfire (October 2021)
- Submission on the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2021-2031 (September 2021)
- Submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (September 2021)
- Volunteers in Disability Support and COVID-19 Vaccinations: Position Statement (September 2021)
- Policy Submission: Indigenous Skills and Employment Program (September 2021)
- Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme on the NDIS National Workforce Plan 2021-2025 (September 2021)
- Volunteers in Disability Support and COVID-19 Vaccinations Position Statement (September 2021)
- Reducing the Burden of Volunteer Screening (October 2021)
- Review of the EO Act (November 2021)
- Advocacy win: Changes to requirements for Volunteer Passenger Transport Drivers (June 2021)
- Submission to the Disability Royal Commission Inclusion Issues Paper (May 2021)
- Submission to the Consultation on the National Disability Employment Strategy (May 2021)
- Submission to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (March 2021)
- Submission to the Pathways and Participation Opportunities for Indigenous Australians in Employment and Business inquiry (April 2021)
- Submission to the Indigenous Voice Consultation (March 2021)
- Submission to the development of the National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse (April 2021)
- Volunteering WA's Letter to Minister Saffioti re Passenger Transport Licensing (February 2021)
- Submission to the Australian Department of Health consultation on the Productivity Commission’s report on Mental Health (February 2021)
- Reportable Conduct Scheme Submission on Green Bill (January 2021)
- Volunteering WA’s 2021 State Election – Invest in Volunteering in Western Australia (December 2020)
- Response to consultation to inform the new employment services (December 2020)
- Submission to the National Disability Strategy (October 2020)
- Digital Inclusion in WA (October 28 2020)
- Roadmap to Recovery - Volunteering in Western Australia
- Letter to the Deputy Ombudsman regarding Reportable Conduct Scheme
- Submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
- Submission to the Select Committee on COVID-19
- Submission to the Senate Inquiry: Lessons to be Learned in Relation to the Australian Bushfire Season 2019-20
- Submission to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements
- COVID-19 #2 Safeguarding Volunteers and Volunteer Involving Organisations
- Department of Social Services VMA Review 2020
- COVID-19 #1 Volunteering and National Policy Settings
- COVID-19: Information for volunteers and Volunteer Involving Organisations
- Response to Aust. Government Compensation Scheme
Volunteering WA's Reconciliation Action Plan
Volunteering WA acknowledges the devastation that has been wrought historically through the alienation from land, separation of families, violence to communities and systemic racism. We also acknowledge the significant shortcomings today of opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal people in WA, in a range of areas including health, justice, education and employment. By committing to understanding our past, working together to overcome racism, renewing focus on closing the gap, creating opportunities for all and providing a voice for traditional owners in our Constitution, we can contribute to meaningful reconciliation and a more just and hopeful future.
Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan | July 2022 - December 2023: On behalf of the Board, staff and volunteers of Volunteering WA, we are pleased to launch our inaugural Reflect RAP. At its heart, it represents our commitment to strengthen relationships with the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work, rest and play.
The Volunteering WA team will work together to implement our commitments outlined in our 2022-23
Reflect Reconciliation Act Plan (PDF)
Sample Policy and Procedures for Volunteer Managers
Volunteering WA has developed a sample Policies and Procedures handbook for use in not-for-profit organisations which can under Resources.
Volunteer Community Reference Group
The Volunteering Community Reference Group is established under the direction of the Hon Minister for Volunteering. The purpose of the Volunteering Community Reference Group is to provide a direct voice on volunteering issues from the sector to government.
View the members of the Volunteering Community Reference Group.
Get Involved
If you would like to provide feedback or please contact our Senior Policy Advisor at info@volunteeringwa.org.au.