COVID-19 Portal
July 28th, 2021
COVID-19 Resources and Advice for Volunteering
Current COVID-19 resources and advice for organisations
We encourage volunteer involving organisations to review their risk assessments in light of the new medical advice. This should include considering the feasibility of remote working, wearing masks in indoor settings, and encouraging volunteers to stay home if they are sick. This resource provides useful information to safeguard your volunteers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Current COVID-19 resources and advice for volunteers
We encourage all volunteers to stay COVID-19 safe in light of the new medical advice. The Chief Medical Officer is encouraging everyone to wear masks when outside the home in crowded, indoor environments, maintain physical distancing and good hygiene practices, take a test if you have any symptoms, and stay at home if you have COVID-19.
The below resources and links have been curated and collated to help navigate the ever-changing COVID-19 requirements.
Re-engaging and Rebooting Volunteer Seminar Series
As the state of NSW begins to emerge from COVID-19, The Centre for Volunteering delivered a series of seminars to help equip Volunteer Involving Organisations with the tools to navigate the difficult transition period.
Catch up on past seminars here:
Restarting Your Volunteer Programs
The animation below and PDF Guide have been developed to assist you in restarting your volunteer programs post COVID Lockdown.
COVID-19 Emergency Volunteering
Volunteering can provide vital support to people in the community who are impacted in an emergency – that’s why we’ve launched a new emergency volunteering website calling on people to lend a hand during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
We are calling for members of the public to register their details through a simple sign-up process and help deliver essential services to those most vulnerable in our community.
If you are a community organisation, Local Government Authority or any other organisation who needs additional volunteers in relation to this emergency, then please contact us.
External Sites
NCOSS COVID-19 Vax Risk Assessment Toolkit
Department of Health – Coronavirus (COVID-19)
NSW Government – COVID Safe Business
Safe Work Australia – Information for Work Places
Advocate for Children and Young People – Digital Lunchbreak
Mental Health Commission of NSW – How to find mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic
Australian and NSW Government Resources
COVID-19 vaccination – Resource pack for residential aged care
Gathering Safely: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidelines for seniors
Australian Government – Vaccinations and your business
Fair Work Ombudsman – Vaccination: Workplace rights and obligations
Risk Assessments
All currently operating businesses must assess the risks associated with exposure to COVID-19 and implement control measures to manage those risks. They must also assess any other new or changed risks arising from COVID-19, for example, customer aggression, high work demand or working in isolation.
“When should I do a risk assessment?” – Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia – Industry Risk Assessments
COVID-19 Risk Register Template (Work Safe Australia)
COVID-19 Risk Assessment Checklist (WorkSafe Australia)
The Centre for Volunteering: Free Resources
Returning Volunteer Programs and Volunteers During COVID-19
Tips for Optimising Virtual Volunteering
COVID-19 and Informal Volunteering Groups
Responding to a Pandemic: A Practical Guide for Volunteer Involving Organisations
Volunteering in Response to a Pandemic: A Practical Guide for Volunteers
Information Sheet: Engaging Volunteers during COVID-19 for VIOs
Information Sheet: Business continuity: How to minimise impacts on core activities
Volunteering Australia: Free Resources
Information Sheet: COVID-19 Position Paper 1 – Volunteering and National Policy Settings
COVID-19 Position Paper No.3: Volunteering, Vaccinations and Being COVIDSafe
Volunteers in Aged Care and COVID-19 Vaccinations: Position Statement
Volunteers and COVID-19 Vaccinations: Information Sheet
Other Sources
Beyond Blue: Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
SBS: Coronavirus information in your own language
Justice Connect: Legal Advice for not-for-profit organisations
Justice Connect: Information for Volunteers
Page reviewed August 2022