Volunteers contribute to the services of public sector and government agencies in a variety of areas including fire, ambulance and emergency services, sport and recreation, fisheries, culture and the arts, foster care, justice services, community development, health, education, tourism and the environment.
Read case studies from government agencies including the Rural Fire Brigade, foster and kinship care, Driver Reviver program and hospitals.
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Volunteer definition
The Queensland Government defines volunteering as an activity for the benefit of the community and the volunteer, where the volunteer freely chooses their involvement without expectation of payment. Volunteering occurs through an organisation or group. Volunteering can also occur when a person gives unpaid help directly to others (outside of their family).
Benefits of government volunteer programs
- access to a diverse range of skills and experience
- new networks and partnerships for government and the community
- opportunity for volunteers to gain skills and knowledge that can be of benefit to the community in a variety of situations
- more opportunity for the community to be involved in developing government policy and services
- more opportunity for government to be involved in local solutions that lead to community–owned strategies and stronger communities.
The Office for Volunteering
The Office for Volunteering within the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services works across government and the community to develop coordinated strategies to increase volunteering.
The Office for Volunteering provides funding to Volunteering Queensland to support the participation of volunteers in the community. As the peak body for volunteering in Queensland, Volunteering Queensland provides a range of services and resources to both voluntary organisations and individuals who wish to volunteer.
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