Are volunteers covered by workcover?
James Williams
Published Apr 16, 2026
Also, are volunteers covered by workers compensation NSW?
The position with volunteers in NSW is that only emergency services personnel, such as bushfire services & surf lifesavers are covered by the Workers Compensation Scheme. Volunteers in NSW and Victorian Not for Profit organisations come under public liability.
One may also ask, what happens if a volunteer is injured? Even though you may have a liability insurance policy, you are still obligated to defend and possibly cover legal claims that arise out of an accident involving a volunteer serving your organization.
Thereof, are volunteers covered by workcover Victoria?
Under the Act, most volunteers are not treated as employees for WorkSafe purposes and therefore will not have an entitlement to compensation if injured while performing voluntary work.
What is voluntary workers compensation coverage?
Voluntary Compensation Endorsement — enables an employer to extend the benefits provided by the workers compensation act to employees who may not be entitled to benefits under the terms of the act, such as executive officers, partners, sole proprietors, farm workers, domestic employees, or employees traveling overseas.
Related Question Answers
Are volunteers entitled to workers compensation?
Under California law, a nonprofit can opt into workers' compensation coverage with respect to their volunteers. A volunteer who is an “employee,” by a written declaration of the board, would be entitled to full coverage as an employee.Can staff be volunteers?
FLSA regulations state that employees cannot volunteer services to for-profit, private employers. Public and nonprofit employees may volunteer their services, but the services they volunteer must not be part of their regular job duties, and often cannot be performed during their regular working hours.Do I need insurance for volunteers?
Having adequate insurance in place for volunteers is essential. Insuring your volunteers against injury and illness usually falls into one of two covers - either public liability insurance or employer's liability insurance - depending on your charity's insurance policy.Do volunteers have rights?
Volunteers are not covered by awards or work-place agreements, however volunteers do have rights, some of which are legislated, such as work, health and safety, and anti-discrimination laws, and others which are considered the moral obligations of organisations involving volunteers.Can volunteers sue for injury?
An injured volunteer may also sue the directors of the nonprofit organization. They may be personally liable for any costs associated with injuries that the volunteer suffers. A waiver may provide that a nonprofit volunteer may not sue the organization in the event of a slip and fall or other type of accident.Are volunteer firefighters covered under workers compensation?
Workers' CompensationThe answer depend on a number of issues, beginning with the state or territory in which the injury occurs. In NSW for instance, State Legislation for volunteer bushfire brigade members are covered by the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987(2).