The Nationals WA have announced a suite of initiatives to make volunteering easier and more affordable for over 50,000 Western Australians every year, as part of their commitment to supporting volunteers on Thank a Volunteer Day.
Leader Shane Love MLA said The Nationals in Government would eliminate fees for Working with Children Checks (WWCC), National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) checks, and National Police Certificates for volunteers, including students on unpaid placements.
“Despite being the wealthiest State in the Nation, WA is one of the most expensive and burdensome places to volunteer,” Mr Love said.
“The Nationals in Government will scrap these fees and introduce a WA Volunteer Card, which will make these clearances transferable across the sector.
“This move recognises the critical contributions volunteers make in childcare, aged care, health, emergency services, and beyond.
“At a time when the cost-of-living crisis is hitting families hard, removing these financial and administrative barriers is a practical way to thank, support, and encourage volunteering.”
WA currently charges $11 for WWCC and NDIS screening for volunteers, while these checks are free in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. In the 2021-22 financial year, nearly 45,000 volunteers accessed WWCC, and 7,745 applied for NDIS checks.
“This policy, expected to cost just $575,000 per year, will provide significant support to over 50,000 volunteers by making what they do more affordable and accessible,” Mr Love said.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and Volunteering Martin Aldridge MLC said The Nationals in Government would also extend presumptive Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) protections to all emergency service volunteers, including firefighters, SES, marine rescue, and St John Ambulance.
“The Cook Labor Government has failed to prioritise PTSD protections for volunteers who put their mental health on the line to serve their communities,” Mr Aldridge said.
“Over 30,000 emergency service volunteers have long called for these protections, which are already provided to career firefighters and paramedics.
“Recent research shows volunteers face a higher risk of PTSD due to exposure to unpredictable and traumatic situations, often with less support and access to services than their paid counterparts.”
Last year, volunteer associations representing WA’s emergency service volunteers wrote to the Minister for Emergency Services expressing disappointment in the Government’s refusal to grant volunteers these protections.
Mr Aldridge said these protections would ensure volunteers do not face long, costly, and often re-traumatising battles to prove their injuries are related to their volunteering service.
“A massive 93 per cent of emergencies in WA are attended to by volunteers, who often witness terrible and tragic events – from fires, to floods, shark attacks, car crashes, and other medical emergencies – and this comes at a significant impact to their wellbeing,” Mr Aldridge said.
“As someone who has served as both a career and a volunteer firefighter, volunteers are not immune from traumatic incidents, nor the impact on our mental wellbeing, and it’s well past time the State Government provided volunteers the support they deserve.”
The Nationals WA also committed an additional $100,000 per year to Volunteering WA to enhance their capacity to support volunteers during emergencies.
Mr Love said The Nationals volunteering policy aligns with several key priorities identified by Volunteering WA ahead of the 2025 State election and is expected to cost $2.7 million over four years.
“The best way to thank our volunteers is through meaningful support and practical policies, and that’s exactly what The Nationals in Government will deliver,” Mr Love said.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of communities across WA, and it’s time we made it easier and more affordable for them to continue the incredible work they do.”
