Becoming an authorised NRE Tas volunteerTo ensure volunteer involvement is supported and managed appropriately, the Department has developed the Volunteer Management Framework (VMF).
Employees utilise the VMF to plan and manage volunteer programs that comply with relevant legislation and are assessed for hazards, risks, and any impacts to the environment, including cultural and heritage sites.
Once a volunteer program is approved and individuals participating have registered as NRE Tas volunteers, the Department provides volunteer insurance cover to those who participate.
Importantly, individual volunteers and community group members that have not registered as NRE Tas volunteers or sought relevant program approvals, are not covered by NRE Tas volunteer insurance and are not considered to be undertaking authorised volunteer activities on land managed by the Department - in some cases, the activities may, in fact, be illegal.
If you are a community volunteer group (including 'Friends of' groups), interested in caring for a local patch, National Park or Reserve, you should first review The LIST to establish the responsible land manager. Where the land is under NRE Tas management, please contact the relevant division for information, support, and program assessment.
Volunteer Team Leaders of Community Volunteer Groups, are asked to partner with us to ensure programs meet the necessary requirements:
- Collaborate with us to develop an approved 'NRE Tas Volunteer Program Plan' to support participation;
- Complete volunteer attendance records for each activity;
- Ensure that any group member who wishes to participate has registered as an NRE Tas volunteer (refer to Volunteer Opportunities section) and has read the NRE Tas COVID-19 Safe Plan prior to participation.
Equal opportunity volunteering
The NRE Tas Volunteer Team is committed to ensuring that our volunteer engagements are in accordance with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation.
We value equal opportunity volunteering which means we support and uphold diversity and inclusion and will not discriminate based on an individual's personal characteristics including:
- age
- disability
- gender
- marital status
- political or religious beliefs
Volunteer information, including new opportunities for involvement, should be accessible to all.
The Department is also working to improve online information and experiences so that it is more useful, usable and accessible to everyone.
Refer to the Department's Accessibility pages for more information, including navigation tips, translation and interpretation assistance, and opportunities to provide us with feedback.
Important COVID-19 advice for NRE Tas Volunteers
All NRE Tas volunteer programs must comply with the NRE Tas COVID-19 Safe Plan, including ensuring appropriate control measures are in place.
All volunteers should make themselves familiar with the Department's COVID- 19 Safe Plan prior to undertaking any volunteering activities associated with the Department.
NRE Tas COVID-19 Safe Plan (PDF 398Kb)
Vulnerable Individuals
In accordance with Public Health advice, some individuals are at greater risk of more serious illness, including death, if they contract Coronavirus. Any volunteers who have concerns regarding their risk of exposure to COVID-19 are encouraged to discuss their personal circumstances with their medical practitioner and develop an individual COVID-19 Action Plan.
Further information is available on the Tasmanian Coronavirus website.
Consult with us
Where a COVID-19 Action Plan has been developed, please ensure that firstly, you review whether your volunteer participation is supported in accordance with the medical advice received. Secondly, ensure that any control measures are discussed with your NRE Tas representative so that the Department can consider how we reasonably manage your participation.
It is important that all workers manage their own health and safety, and that of others by being vigilant, adhering to any updated advice, and taking immediate preventative steps should the situation change.
We reserve the right to amend volunteer programs and participation in accordance with any updated Public Health advice and/or any individual COVID-19 Action Plans.
Further information
Key contacts
For further information contact your NRE Tas representative directly or email volunteering@nre.tas.gov.au