Safe Work Australia has set up a dedicated telephone helpline for volunteers and volunteer organisations. The new Volunteer Assistance Line will help members of the community who carry out volunteer work, to understand how new work health and safety laws affect them.
A dedicated section of the Safe Work Australia will also be created to provide information, resources and supportive materials for volunteers and volunteer organisations.
The new laws came into effect in the ACT, the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory on 1 January this year.
The ‘Volunteer Assistance Line’ is part of a package of resources which Safe Work Australia is developing for volunteers.
Volunteers and representatives of volunteer organisations can contact the helpline between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays on 02 6240 4990. Messages can also be left after hours. Volunteers can also make enquiries by email to:Volunteers@SafeWorkAustralia.gov.au
Further information about volunteers and the new WHS laws can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page and in the fact sheets listed below.
Volunteer fact sheets
Volunteers and the model Work Health and Safety Act - Legislative Fact Sheet Series
Volunteer ‘officers’ and their duties under the model Work Health and Safety Act - Legislative Fact Sheet Series
Volunteer organisations and the model Work Health and Safety Act - Legislative Fact Sheet Series
How volunteer organisations can comply with the model Work Health and Safety Act - Legislative Fact Sheet Series