Vetting volunteers: why it's important & tips for doing it

Created: February 15, 2024 at 5:46 PM | Updated: February 18, 2025 | By Volunteering New Zealand

Many volunteer organisations work with vulnerable people, so it's crucial to protect them and your volunteers from potential risks.

Background checks on potential volunteers are important to ensure safety.

While these checks are not meant to make it harder for people with criminal records to volunteer, they help prevent unsuitable candidates from working with vulnerable populations.

Background checks can ensure the safety of service recipients, staff, and the organisation's reputation.

This guide discusses the following topics:

• Why do background checks on applicants for volunteering?
• What kind of background checks can I do?
• How will I know if an applicant is suitable for a volunteer role?

Download the Volunteering New Zealand guide here - Vetting Volunteers: why it's important and tips for doing it

Some links in the document have changed - here are the updated versions:

• NZ Police Vetting Service   (you need to register to become an approved agency)
• Criminal Record Check online (your organisation needs to be a registered third party)