In the thriving communities of Victoria, Australia, over 3.3 million volunteers dedicate their time and energy to enriching the lives of others. These unsung heroes contribute untold hours to causes they are passionate about, from supporting local charities to maintaining community parks and offering crucial emergency services. However, despite their invaluable contributions, volunteers in Victoria are not afforded the same health and safety protections as their counterparts in other Australian states and territories. This discrepancy in legal protection can no longer be ignored.

All around Australia, many states have adopted the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws which recognise volunteers as employees under the law. This recognition ensures that volunteers receive comprehensive health and safety protections while carrying out their duties. Victoria, however, has not yet embraced these model laws, meaning that volunteers remain vulnerable to safety risks without the legal protections that are extended to traditional employees.

Imagine dedicating your time to a cause, only to suffer an injury and realise that, due to outdated legal definitions, you do not qualify for the safety nets provided to others doing equivalent work. This oversight fails to acknowledge the critical role volunteers play within our communities, all without the promise of financial recompense. Given that volunteers are essential to the operation of so many vital services, providing them with adequate legal protection is not only fair, but necessary.

Updating Victorian law to provide proper recognition and protection for volunteers serves a dual purpose: it not only protects those who give selflessly to our communities, but also encourages more individuals to volunteer, knowing that their safety and rights will not be compromised. In turn, this fosters a healthier, more engaged, and resilient society.

Join us in calling upon the Victorian government to amend the current health and safety laws to reflect the model WHS standards adopted by other states. This change is not only a step towards fairness and justice for our volunteers but will pave the way for a safer, more inclusive society.

Please sign this petition to urge lawmakers in Victoria to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers by recognising them as employees under Victorian Health and Safety laws. Your support is crucial in driving this change and safeguarding the future of volunteer work in our state.