The Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service celebrates the exceptional contribution of South Australian volunteers who give selflessly to their communities.
Run by the Department of Human Services, the program is designed to help volunteer-involving organisations and community groups recognise the commitment and contributions of their volunteers.
Who can nominate a volunteer?
Any volunteer-involving organisation or community group in South Australia that benefits from the contributions of volunteers can make nominations.
There is no limit to the number of nominations an organisation can submit, and there is no cost to nominate.
Who can be nominated?
Both individual volunteers and volunteer teams or groups can be nominated.
How do I submit a nomination?
Complete the online nomination form on the Department of Human Services website.
As part of your nomination, you'll need to provide:
- your contact details and organisation information
- details of the volunteer or volunteer team
- a statement of up to 300 words explaining why they should receive a certificate.
Volunteer names, team names and organisation names will be printed exactly as entered on the certificate, so please check all spelling carefully before submitting.
What is the difference between a nominator and a nominee?
The nominator is the person submitting the nomination on behalf of an organisation.
The nominee is the volunteer (individual or team) being recognised.
Will I receive confirmation after submitting my nomination?
Yes. You'll receive a confirmation email after submitting the online form.
If you don't receive one, please email DHS.VolunteersPolicyOFV@sa.gov.au so we can check whether your nomination was received.
How are nominations assessed?
DHS checks each nomination to ensure all required information has been provided.
There is no competitive assessment process. All eligible nominees with a valid nomination will receive a certificate.
How and when will certificates be provided?
Certificates will be posted in November 2026 to the nominating organisation's postal address provided in the nomination form. They will be addressed to the nominator so they can present them to volunteers, including during International Volunteer Day celebrations on 5 December.
Certificates cannot be collected in person.
What if I need help with the online nomination form?
If you're experiencing difficulties using the online form, email DHS.VolunteersPolicy@sa.gov.au and we'll assist you.
Is this the same as the South Australian Volunteer Awards?
No. The Premier's Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service and the South Australian Volunteer Awards are separate programs with different nomination processes.
The South Australian Volunteer Awards are run by Volunteering SA&NT with support from DHS and recognise volunteers through a competitive awards process.
You can nominate a volunteer for both programs, but you'll need to submit separate nominations.
What happened to the South Australian Volunteer Certificate of Appreciation?
The South Australian Volunteer Certificate of Appreciation program no longer operates.
In 2025, it was combined with the Premier's Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service into a single volunteer recognition program.
Nomination checklist
For your nomination to be considered, you must:
- complete the online nomination form for each individual volunteer and/or team you wish to nominate
- complete all sections of the form
- submit before 11.59pm on Wednesday 30 September.