The ACT Government has announced it will scrap a proposed Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration fee, which had been due to commence in September.
Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne said the Government’s decision was informed by community feedback and stakeholder engagement.
“The intent of the fee was to offset some of the costs associated with administering a scheme which has been identified as far exceeding original modelling and projections since the first review of it in 2017,” Minister Cheyne said.
“Many of the 160,000 card holders are not necessarily required to be registered under the law, and while there may be benefits from a wider list of card holders in volunteer roles, this has placed unsustainable pressure on the scheme.
“We are also anticipating that there will be additional requirements under the scheme as part of national responses to concerns in both the early childhood education and care sector and the aged care sector.”
The Government is planning to review the scheme in partnership with VolunteeringACT and ACTCOSS. The review will consider how the scheme can sustainably maintain the support it provides to sectors of the community who engage with vulnerable people.
Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services, Suzanne Orr said the Territory will be involved in the national conversation relating to working with vulnerable people checks in key sectors.
“It is timely to look more broadly at the scheme. This step has been taken in response to the changing national environment relating to checks like the WWVP and other schemes in other jurisdictions,” she said.
“The ACT Government will work with local organisations and community partners to ensure appropriate safeguards remain in place and we continue to operate a nation-leading scheme that is sustainable into the future.
“The ACT Government values the contribution of each and every person who volunteers their time to support our community, whether it be as part of the State Emergency Service (SES), planting trees with their local environment group, coaching the local sports team or helping with services for those in our community who benefit most from them.”
VolunteeringACT acknowledged what it says was the ACT Government’s “open and collaborative response” on the issue.
“This is a win for the 279,000 volunteers in our city: your voices have been heard. Our joint advocacy with volunteers, community organisations and Government has demonstrated the power of collective action and the value that community places on volunteering,” said VolunteeringACT CEO, Jean Giese.
“VolunteeringACT now renews its focus on delivering the ACT Volunteering Strategy – a roadmap to deliver safe, ethical and sustainable volunteering for all Canberrans. A key component of the strategy is to ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place for volunteering to occur.
“We are committed to productive conversations with Government, ACTCOSS and other partners to find solutions to the systemic issues within the Scheme. The ACT has a strong volunteering legacy, and this is a clear signal that volunteering will continue to thrive now, and into the future.”
ACT Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS) CEO, Dr Devin Bowles said the Government’s decision demonstrates the value that it places on volunteers.
“Volunteers are critical to making our city a genuine community, and help alleviate the impacts of poverty and disadvantage,” he said.
“ACTCOSS is grateful for the community’s strong support for volunteering. We appreciate the Government’s willingness to listen deeply to the community and its considered engagement on this issue.
“ACTCOSS looks forward to continuing to work with the Government and Volunteering ACT to ensure that the future of volunteering in the ACT remains bright.”
