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Volunteer Agreement

R249

Create a clear volunteer agreement that records the voluntary nature of the role, duties, time commitment, supervision, expenses, confidentiality, safeguarding, health and safety, personal information, and ending arrangements.

A Volunteer Agreement is used where a person gives their time, skills, labour, support, or services to an organisation without becoming an employee. It is suitable for NPOs, NPCs, community projects, churches, schools, charities, clubs, events, social programmes, public-benefit initiatives, and organisations using volunteers for support activities.

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South African legal context (2026 checklist)

A volunteer agreement should not be used to disguise employment. If the organisation controls the person like an employee, requires regular work, pays remuneration, or benefits commercially from the work, the relationship may be challenged. Reimbursement of genuine expenses is generally safer than paying a disguised wage or stipend. Where the volunteer works with children, vulnerable persons, confidential information, money, or personal information, stronger safeguarding, confidentiality, POPIA, and conduct clauses should be included.

  • South African common law of contract
  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997
  • National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018
  • Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995
  • Code of Good Practice: Who is an Employee
  • Nonprofit Organisations Act 71 of 1997
  • Companies Act 71 of 2008, where the organisation is an NPC or company
  • Trust Property Control Act 57 of 1988, where the organisation is a trust
  • Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
  • Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993, where injury cover or work-related accidents may be relevant
  • Children’s Act 38 of 2005, where the volunteer works with children
  • Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, where safeguarding or vulnerable persons are relevant
  • Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011
  • Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000
  • Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002
  • Prescription Act 68 of 1969

Use this as a starting point only. Verify current gazetted amendments, tribunal rules, and SARS / DOL circulars that may apply to your matter.

Typical questions we'll walk you through

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What is the full legal name of the organisation?
What is the full legal name of the organisation?
What is the volunteer’s full name and contact details?
What is the volunteer’s full name and contact details?
What type of organisation is it: NPO, NPC, trust, voluntary association, church, school, community organisation, business, or public body?
What type of organisation is it: NPO, NPC, trust, voluntary association, church, school, community organisation, business, or public body?
What volunteer role will the person perform?
What volunteer role will the person perform?
What activities, duties, projects, events, or services will the volunteer assist with?
What activities, duties, projects, events, or services will the volunteer assist with?
Is the volunteer work unpaid and voluntary?
Is the volunteer work unpaid and voluntary?
Will the volunteer receive reimbursement for approved expenses?
Will the volunteer receive reimbursement for approved expenses?
Will any stipend, allowance, transport money, meal allowance, or honorarium be paid?
Will any stipend, allowance, transport money, meal allowance, or honorarium be paid?
What days, hours, shifts, or time commitment are expected?
What days, hours, shifts, or time commitment are expected?
Where will the volunteer perform the activities?
Where will the volunteer perform the activities?
Who will supervise or coordinate the volunteer?
Who will supervise or coordinate the volunteer?
What training, orientation, tools, uniform, access card, or equipment will be provided?
What training, orientation, tools, uniform, access card, or equipment will be provided?
Will the volunteer work with children, elderly persons, vulnerable persons, patients, beneficiaries, or community members?
Will the volunteer work with children, elderly persons, vulnerable persons, patients, beneficiaries, or community members?
Are background checks, reference checks, police clearance, or safeguarding requirements needed?
Are background checks, reference checks, police clearance, or safeguarding requirements needed?
Will the volunteer handle money, donations, stock, vehicles, confidential documents, or personal information?
Will the volunteer handle money, donations, stock, vehicles, confidential documents, or personal information?
What confidentiality obligations will apply?
What confidentiality obligations will apply?
Will the volunteer process personal information under POPIA?
Will the volunteer process personal information under POPIA?
What health and safety rules must the volunteer follow?
What health and safety rules must the volunteer follow?
Must the volunteer report injuries, incidents, safeguarding concerns, data breaches, or misconduct?
Must the volunteer report injuries, incidents, safeguarding concerns, data breaches, or misconduct?
Will the volunteer be covered by insurance, public liability cover, or accident cover?
Will the volunteer be covered by insurance, public liability cover, or accident cover?
Can the volunteer stop volunteering at any time?
Can the volunteer stop volunteering at any time?
Can the organisation end the volunteer arrangement immediately for misconduct, safety risk, breach of confidentiality, or safeguarding concerns?
Can the organisation end the volunteer arrangement immediately for misconduct, safety risk, breach of confidentiality, or safeguarding concerns?
What property, equipment, information, or documents must be returned when volunteering ends?
What property, equipment, information, or documents must be returned when volunteering ends?
Does the volunteer need to sign a code of conduct, confidentiality undertaking, POPIA undertaking, or safeguarding policy?
Does the volunteer need to sign a code of conduct, confidentiality undertaking, POPIA undertaking, or safeguarding policy?
Who is authorised to sign on behalf of the organisation?
Who is authorised to sign on behalf of the organisation?

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