Valuing the Volunteer
UndergraduateTAS-ZAA2442023
Course information for 2023 intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Valuing the Volunteer
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Evaluate the roles, knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attributes of volunteers in organisations to facilitate volunteer and organisational needs.
- Examine volunteer aspirations and motivations in the contemporary environment to inform attraction and retention strategies and processes.
- Design and communicate contemporary initiatives to attract and retain volunteers for an organisation.
- Reflect on the development of knowledge and skills required for the attraction and retention of volunteers.
- Macro-environment of Volunteering
- You as the Volunteer
- Volunteer aspirations & motivations
- Recruiting volunteers
- Managing, motivating & retaining volunteers
- Future of volunteering
- Volunteering & aging
- Case study: rural fire brigades
- Volunteering & sport
- Volunteering in traditional social welfare organisations
- Volunteering policies
- Leading & managing volunteersRecap
- Aspirations and Motivations
- Recruitment, Retention, and Management
- Future of Volunteering
Volunteers are often the lifeblood of not‐for‐profit and governments‐facilitated community programs. These volunteers can create significant social, cultural and economic capital in communities. This subject explores the roles that volunteers do and can play within community‐based activities (e.g. sporting clubs, events, tourism centres), why the attraction and retention of volunteers is a key contemporary issue in the community sector, and how to develop and propose strategies to attract and retain them. Factors such as volunteer motivation, training, rewards and risks are considered.
This subject builds on concepts of learning through practice in Year 1 of study by introducing you to more complex learning experiences. You will be introduced to:
- discipline-based skills and knowledge in dynamic practice situations. This will include authentic and purposeful, industry-related experiences
- concepts of managing effective relationships and communicating with others
- the development and use of adaptive leadership skills and how these skills relate to innovative and entrepreneurial practice
- the nature of responsible, accountable and reflective workplace skills, and creative and critical thinking relevant to para-professional practice.
You will exercise self-awareness, initiative and judgement to manage yourself and professional relationships effectively. The application of tacit knowledge and capabilities will be reflected in a Practice Manual.
- Experiential Learning Report (20%)
- Gap Analysis (40%)
- Volunteer Campaign (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.