News

‘Volunteer Coordinator’ has been officially recognised as an occupation in the inaugural edition of the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA). This milestone follows a comprehensive review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) with the OSCA replacing ANZSCO for use in Australia.

This recognition means Volunteer Coordinators will now be included in vital data used by governments, industries, and businesses to shape education pathways, workforce strategies, and policy frameworks. This recognition could lead to better support for people in these roles, which in turn helps volunteers and communities thrive.

This achievement is a testament to the ongoing advocacy efforts of people like Colleen Williams at the NSW Centre for Volunteering and the other volunteering peak bodies. For the first time, Volunteer Coordinators, Managers, and Leaders, are formally acknowledged as a distinct and essential occupation and can be found at ‘411933 Volunteer Coordinator‘, under classification ’41 Community and Welfare Support Workers’.

Leading and managing volunteers is more than just administration; it requires time, talent, and skill. Recognising the importance of volunteer management is a strategic objective in the National Strategy for Volunteering and being included in OSCA will give better visibility to this critical role.