Review of the Volunteer Management Activity

In November 2017, Matthews Pegg Consulting (mpconsulting) was commissioned to conduct an independent review into the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Volunteer Management Activity program. 

The final report was received by the Department of Social Services (the Department) in October 2018. 

On 13 February 2020, the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, released the Report on the Review of the Volunteer Management Activity (the Review). 

The Review provided the Department with recommendations on ways to significantly improve volunteer management across Australia. 

The Review recommended that the Australian Government: 

1. Continue to invest in volunteer management, but clarify its interest in volunteer management including the focus and objective of its investment, and 
2. Work with stakeholders over the coming 12 months to co-design a new program (including the performance framework) that focuses the Australian Government’s investment on building the capacity of Volunteer Involving Organisations to effectively recruit and manage volunteers. 

The Review noted the importance of volunteering to the Australian society, including contributing significant value to the economy, community cohesion and individual wellbeing. 

The Review also highlighted the important role volunteering plays in service delivery across a wide range of sectors, including aged care, disability, family and community services, disaster resilience, environmental management, sports, arts and culture.