NSW Volunteer Charter

NSW Volunteer Charter – supporting volunteers, making a difference

The NSW Volunteer Charter has been developed following recommendations made by the NSW Volunteering Taskforce.

The Charter has been developed based on NSW Volunteer Taskforce members’ experience, consultations with volunteers and the sector, and international practice. 

The Charter is free to use.

The NSW Volunteer Charter is an important initiative under the NSW Volunteering Strategy 2020 – 2030. It directly aligns to the following focus areas of the Strategy:

Focus Areas 1 (Growth and Support) – which aims to increase participation in volunteering; and make volunteer recruitment, retention and management easier by building the capacity of the sector.

Focus Area 3 (Value) – which aims to enhance recognition of the value of volunteering and the contributions made by volunteers in NSW.

The NSW Government recognises that the health and wellbeing of NSW, and its residents, relies on the efforts of volunteer involving organisations and their volunteers. 

The NSW Volunteer Charter is a set of 10 guiding principles that encourage best practice, good communication and positive relationships. It supports the foundations for a good volunteer experience and gives individuals, groups and organisations the opportunity to express their support for the spirit of volunteering while upholding the principles of good volunteer practice. 

The Charter can also serve as a helpful tool for organisations that have a multi-jurisdictional footprint. 

NSW Volunteer Charter: 10 principles

The 10 principles of the volunteer charter are: choice, involved, respect, safety, timely, training, clarity, reasonable, leadership, recognition.