Thank you for the support you provide as an employer of one of our valuable volunteer members.
Volunteers provide emergency preparation and response capability across all areas of the state. Their highly skilled contribution to the prevention of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from natural disasters in Queensland cannot be underestimated. They are essential in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Queenslanders.
By supporting our volunteers as an employer, you are contributing to the safety and security of Queensland communities in their times of greatest need.
Our volunteers make valuable employees
We equip volunteers with a broad range of capabilities that are useful in the workplace. Our volunteers:
- work well in teams and follow directions
- communicate effectively
- think on their feet
- take responsibility
- use personal initiative
- remain calm in a crisis
Volunteers undertake mandatory training and develop skills in a wide range of areas. As well as a broad range of practical skills, many are also proficient in engaging and liaising with the community, taking decisive action under pressure and leading others.
Employer incentives
Employers make a significant contribution to the community when releasing staff to respond to emergencies.
The Queensland Government recognises this through payroll tax exemptions for the hours staff spend away from work to assist in emergency operations. For more information on payroll tax exemptions call the Queensland Revenue Office on 1300 300 734 during office hours or visit their website.
Employee leave
Businesses release staff at their own cost, and employers must consider their business operations when considering employee leave entitlements. As volunteers are responding to natural disasters and emergencies, these requests may come at short notice.
We encourage our volunteers to discuss release from work and make suitable leave arrangements with employers before the need to attend an emergency. These arrangements may verbal or can be made more formally in writing. The type of leave to be used should form part of these discussions.
Employers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with employment legislation to support emergency service volunteers, such as the Industrial Relations Act 2016 and the Fair Work Act 2009.
Under the legislation, employers have the discretion to make decisions about when and how leave of absence will be granted and processed.
For more information, read the fact sheet on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Our responsibilities
We provide workers compensation cover for volunteers while attending training and operational activities. If a volunteer is hurt while undertaking our activities, they can apply to Workcover to claim for medical expenses or lost wages.