Many public sector entities rely on the dedication of tens of thousands of volunteers. Volunteers connect people and provide critical services. In recent years, volunteers have also been pivotal with the Care Army assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the volunteer rural fire brigades assisting during the 2019 bush fires.
The Queensland Plan includes a target of having the highest rates of volunteering and community participation in Australia. Many organisations that rely on volunteers have noted declining numbers. The Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Services have seen volunteer numbers decline by around 12 per cent and 13 per cent respectively since 2021.
In October 2022, the Queensland Government announced changes to the way it will deliver emergency services in Queensland. This includes transferring the State Emergency Service to the Queensland Police Service. Additionally, Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) will be established as a separate fire service housed within the new Queensland Fire Department. These changes will occur by 1 July 2024.
This audit will assess whether the government is effectively managing its volunteer workforce (for example, the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service). The audit may consider issues such as workforce attraction and retention.
- Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers
- Queensland Fire Department
- Queensland Police Service
- selected local governments
- selected public sector entities.