Volunteer Management

Volunteer Management

Building organisational capacity through the Volunteer Management Activity (VMA) Program

The Australian Government through the Department of Social Services provides a range of funds to volunteering peak bodies and other services to support the volunteering sector.

To promote a more consistent national approach, a new five-year funding model – the Volunteer Management Activity (VMA) Program was introduced in July 2021. The objective is to create a thriving, inclusive and diverse volunteering culture, which meets the changing demands for capable and committed volunteers in communities across Australia.

In South Australia, Volunteering SA&NT is working with Northern Volunteering and Southern Volunteering to build the capacity of volunteer involving organisations, including those in the regions through continuous improvement strategies.

In Northern Territory, Volunteering NT (a division of Volunteering SA&NT) is collaborating with the Alice Springs Town Council to increase services and support to volunteer involving organisations in Alice Springs.

Initiatives include:

Online services in best practice volunteer management, recruitment and training of volunteers, provision of information, tools and resources including regulatory obligations and risk management.

Breaking down barriers to volunteering faced by the identified priority groups - People with Disabilities, First Nations People, Newly Arrived Migrants, Vulnerable Women, Young People 12-18 years and People who are Unemployed.

Successful delivery outcomes include:

• Increased opportunities to participate and the reduction of barriers that prevent the inclusion of volunteers from identified backgrounds.
• High quality and accessible volunteering based on the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
• Improved accessibility and range of quality Volunteer Management products and services across each jurisdiction.

There will be opportunities for organisations to provide their input on the VMA Program through surveys and group discussions on how to better support volunteer management into the future.

Partnership Projects

Volunteering SA&NT is partnering with external organisations to support the outcomes of VMA, by delivering projects that will build capacity of volunteer involving organisations to increase engagement with the identified priority groups.  

Initiatives must not duplicate or support existing services, projects or activities. Projects may include but are not limited to:

• Resources development
• Training and information sessions for volunteers and volunteer managers
• Case studies, research and surveys
• Small projects and activities
• Promotional materials
• Videos and social media content
• Equipment, IT and software

See information on current Project Partners.