Legislation that may affect community groups in Victoria

by | Good Governance, Legislation, Risk Management

Depending upon the nature of your group, a variety of different pieces of legislation will apply.
But there are some laws that will usually apply to most groups operating in Victoria.

As highlighted in previous articles, the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) is the law that guides any incorporated association in Victoria as to its incorporation obligations.  Consumer Affairs Victoria has lots of easy-to-read information and simple fact sheets at www.consumer.vic.gov.au to help you understand the requirements of this legislation.

Depending on the nature of your group and the type of information you collect from people, the Privacy and Data Collection Act 2014 (Vic) may apply.  http://www.cpdp.vic.gov.au/ lists a set of Privacy Principles which when followed effectively cover off your broad obligations under this legislation.  Even if your group is not legally bound by this law, these Privacy Principles provide with an excellent guide to good practice.

Any groups in Victoria that have paid staff need to comply with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic).  This law provides workplaces with a framework to establish systems and processes that help us keep our staff safe at work.  The Victorian WorkCover Authority (also known as ‘WorkSafe)’ has a great website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au which contains lots of information to guide us. And even if your group doesn’t have staff, WorkSafe also has guides to good practice with volunteers (even if your only volunteers are your committee members).
The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) www.fairwork.gov.au  also applies if you have staff.

The sector in which you operate may also have some specific laws that apply so check with your peak body or industry network to find out more.

And Justice Connect (or you may know of them better by their old name of PILCH Connect) have an enormous amount of information on their website to guide community groups in relation to their legal obligations under many pieces of legislation.

The above are just a few key pieces of legislation that may apply to your group.  For specific legal advice, speak to a lawyer.

You can download this Blog Post as a tip sheet by clicking here:Tip Sheet_ Legislation that may affect community groups in Victoria Jan 5, 2016