Legislation and Policy
The Office for Volunteers is the lead government agency for volunteering in South Australia. As such it coordinates the government’s policy and legislative response to issues that impact on the Volunteer Sector.
There are several pieces of legislation that impact on volunteers, their organisations and roles within South Australia. Three with the most direct impact are listed below with links to more detailed information, the background to the legislation and the Act itself. One of the South Australian Government’s commitments expressed in the Advancing the Community Together partnership is to always consider the impact of ANY planned legislation on the volunteer sector. By maintaining close links with the sector, the Office for Volunteers is able to provide policy advice on these matters.
VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT 2001
The Volunteer Protection Act 2001 aims to encourage
people to volunteer
by protecting them from personal liability while
they are doing authorised volunteering duties
on behalf of an incorporated organisation.
Click here for more information on the Volunteer Protection Act.
INCORPORATION ACT 1985
To incorporate or not is a common dilemma for many community organisations. Doing so is highly recommended for many reasons with the fact that only volunteers for incorporated organisations are covered by the Volunteer Protection Act 2001 (above).
Click here for more information on the benefits of being incorporated and how to go about it.
RECREATION SERVICES (LIMITATION OF LIABILITY) ACT 2002
The Recreation Services (Limitation of Liability) Act 2002 applies to organisations involved in sporting, leisure or recreational activities and their participants. Essentially it is a very useful risk management tool and was prompted by the need to reduce the cost of public liability insurance for organisations involved in sport and recreation.
Click here for more information.
RECREATION SERVICES (LIMITATION OF LIABILITY) ACT 2002
OFV Privacy Principles
The Office for Volunteers holds in its database (Voldata) information about volunteer involving organisations and organisations with activities that directly or indirectly relate or impact on the activities of volunteers.
Operating guidelines for the collection and use of such information is available below.
Click here (107 kb pdf) to view the Office for Volunteers Privacy Principles document.
Direct Link to South Australian Acts And Regulations |
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