How can we help?
If you are a volunteer or would like to become a volunteer this section is for you.
Here you will find information on:
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why volunteer
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the definitions of volunteering
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rights and responsibilities of volunteers
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police checks
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working with children check
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tips for secondary school students
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overseas students and visitors
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young travellers
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where to find your nearest volunteer resource centre
Volunteers of Banyule can provide you with advice on how to get started and what volunteering roles are available. A list of some of the current volunteering opportunities is available through the volunteering opportunities link. There is also specific information for students and overseas travelers.
Sometimes people are not sure if they are ready to volunteer or what volunteering involves. If this is the case we are happy to talk to you about volunteering in general, its rights and responsibilities and whether it is what you are looking for.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteers have choices of organisations, volunteer activities, and the option of changing to another form of volunteering. It is important that you get as much from your volunteering as you give. In exchange for sharing your skills, supporting others and being committed and reliable you can look to receive recognition, a sense of achievement, friendship, new skills and so much more.
Interviews
If you are interested in volunteering or just finding out if volunteering is what you are looking for please contact us on 03 9458 3777 and we can make an appointment for an interview.
We have interviews between 10.00 am and 1.30 pm Monday to Friday. You will need to allow at least 45 minutes for the interview as we take helping you find the perfect volunteering role very seriously.
Perhaps you are working full time and cannot come in to see us; then we can set an interview time and speak to you over the phone.
1. Definitions of Volunteering
Formal volunteering is an activity which takes place through not-profit
organisations or projects and is undertaken:
- to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer;
- of the volunteers own free will and without coercion;
- for no financial payment; and
- in designated volunteer positions only.
3. Police Checks
The Victoria Police provide a service to individuals and organisations wishing to obtain National Police Certificates for voluntary work. In these cases Victoria Police does not release information about an individuals criminal history to an organisation without written consent from the individual volunteer.
If a Police check is obtained by an organisation for an applicant for a volunteer position, then that organisation needs to be aware that it has certain responsibilities.
• The person or organisation nominated on the application form is the ONLY person/organisation entitled to view the certificate. It must not be forwarded to ANY other organisation or individual.
• The results must not be included in any data base or filing system and once the recruitment process is complete it must be securely destroyed.
• If a person is denied volunteer work due to their record check and this information is given to that person, the certificate may be shown to them on request. This is the only circumstance when this can be done.
Changes to the National Police Record Check process
As of Saturday, 1 November, 2008 an individual volunteer may access their own Police Check. This Police Check is portable and free. The following changes will apply to the Victoria Police National Police Record Check process.
- A downloadable online application form will replace the current form.
- Applicants can download, complete and print the new online form.
- A 100-point identification check will be introduced.
- An authorised certifier is required to witness and certify identity documents and signature of applicant.
- The certificate will only be issued to the applicant.
- To increase protection of information released, the new certificate includes seven security features.
A Police check will include any findings of guilt (including guilty verdicts with no conviction), any criminal matters currently under investigation or awaiting a court hearing and traffic related offences where the court outcome was a sentence of imprisonment.
To begin the process of conducting a police records check on an individual, the individual must complete the Consent to Check and Release National Police Record application form.
Approved organisations can apply for a subsidised rate for National Police Checks. For all information about police checks (for organisations as well as individuals), and to download the necessary forms, please go to the Victoria Police website at www.police.vic.gov.au.
4. Working with Children Check
In Victoria the Working with Children Check (WWCC) requires all those who work or volunteer with children (under 18 years of age) in certain capacities, in identified occupations and activities to undergo screening for criminal offences.
How does it work?
People are checked for relevant criminal convictions or findings of guilt, pending charges and relevant professional disciplinary findings. The check will also identify whether a person is on the Sex Offenders Register or subject to an extended supervision order under the Serious Sex Offender Monitoring Act 2005. A re-assessment will be automatically triggered if a person with an assessment notice is charged with a relevant crime or is professionally disciplined by a professional body.
How is the Working with Children Check different to a police check?
The WWCC is a mandatory minimum screening standard for Victoria. It has a significant advantage to a one-off check in that it will be continually updated. People found suitable to work and volunteer with children will be continually screened for new criminal charges. If a person who has already qualified for an assessment notice is subsequently charged with a relevant offence, their assessment notice will be reconsidered.
How much will it cost to apply for a Working with Children Check?
The check will be valid for five years and will be free for volunteers and $70 for paid staff. Applications are available from local post offices.
For all information about the Working with Children Checks (for organisations as well as individuals), and to download the necessary forms, please go to the Department of Justice website at www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren.
5. Resources for Secondary Schools
Volunteers of Banyule supports local schools with their community volunteer programs and makes available an information sheet to assist students to access volunteering roles. The information sheet can be downloaded here as an Adobe Acrobat (pdf) document.
The Victorian Government assists volunteering in schools through the Advance Program. Advance is a youth development program that provides opportunities for young people, to work in partnership with community organisations on a project or projects which contributes to building their community. All Victorian Government secondary school campuses are eligible to apply to deliver Advance.
The Office for Youth supports participating schools by providing funding, guidelines, curriculum materials and support to plan, implement and evaluate the program. Advance uses a flexible program model and it can be delivered in a range of ways where schools are responsible for implementing the program. Further Information on the Advance Program for volunteering in schools can be obtained at www.youth.vic.gov.au
6. Overseas Students and Tourists
Volunteering is an excellent way for overseas students and tourists to experience Australian culture first hand while helping the community.
Overseas students with student visas must be aware that to take part in unpaid work they must apply for permission to work by obtaining a work permit from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Any volunteering or unpaid work, along with any paid work, counts towards an overall limit of 20 hours per week. For more information students should go to the Visa and Immigration page of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm
Overseas tourists with tourist visas can volunteer provided that tourism is the main purpose of their visit and that volunteering is incidental to this. However permission must first be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. More information on volunteering in Australia can be downloaded from the Volunteering Australia website www.volunteeringaustralia.org.au