All Australian governments have agreed to a national approach to reformed safe work laws. A model Safe Work Act (2009) has been drafted and submissions in response were due last 9 November. Volunteering Victoria’s submission is available for download here.

The key points of the reform are -

• Volunteers are now defined as workers and the primary duty of care is owed them in the same way as for paid staff
• There are exemptions for associations that are solely volunteer (i.e. no paid staff)
• There are limited exemptions from prosecution under model Act duties for association officers and workers who are volunteers: although the full meaning of these exemptions remain unclear

As in many draft legislation, it’s not that simple or clear. Our submission calls for clarity and greater simplicity in those sections of the model Act that have impacts on volunteering organisations. I urge you to read it carefully and give Volunteering Victoria feedback. The draft reform paper and draft model Act can be accessed from this link.

Download: Volunteering Victoria's submission: Safe Work Act