The Ausland Volunteers (ΛV) stand as a lawful, private fellowship of service — self-governed, self-sustained, and bound by our own Standing, Creed, and Rule.
We submit to no cause but our own; we operate in good faith under the law of the land; and we hold the right to define our membership, govern our affairs, and direct our work without external revision.

Standing and Structure

ΛV is established in dual form:

  • As a Private Membership Association, drawing its authority from the lawful right to free association;

  • As a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in Australia and recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) for our charitable purposes.

We are constituted under:

  • The Writ & Will – our enduring charter, unalterable by sentiment or vote.

  • The Constitution – our governing law in all corporate and operational matters.

  • Lex Voluntaria – the standards, procedures, and disciplines of membership.

  • The Masterdeed – the trust framework securing our assets, income, and benefits.

Membership

ΛV membership is earned, never owed. Admission is by standing and proven merit, not purchase or entitlement.
Our Constitution recognises four classes of membership — Social, Enlisted, Commissioned, and Life — each carrying defined duties, rights, and burdens.

Public services funded through our Charitable Trust are offered without unlawful discrimination. Private membership benefits remain the sole preserve of those admitted into the Order.

Governance of Assets and Operations

The Masterdeed establishes five interlocking trusts:

  1. Asset Protection Trust – holds and shields ΛV’s property, vehicles, and intellectual property.

  2. Business Trust – conducts lawful commercial activity to fund our work.

  3. Charitable Service Trust – delivers disaster relief, emergency aid, and community benefit in compliance with charity law.

  4. Development Fund – invests for long-term stability and growth.

  5. Volunteer Service Fund – provides member-exclusive health, legal, and welfare support.

This separation ensures that core assets remain secure, public work remains lawful, and internal services remain sovereign to our members.

Lawful Compliance

ΛV operates in accordance with the laws of Australia, including but not limited to:

  • Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) – corporate governance and reporting.

  • Charities Act 2013 (Cth) and ACNC Act 2012 (Cth) – public benefit and transparency.

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) – duty of care to members and the public.

  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) – protection of personal information.

  • Fire, Emergency Services, and Disaster Management legislation – lawful conduct in rescue and relief operations.

  • Weapons and Firearms laws – licensing and lawful use where applicable.

  • Civil Liability protections – good-faith service in emergencies.

International deployments observe the Geneva Conventions, International Humanitarian Law, and other relevant codes of conduct.

Training and Operations

We train to standard, not to comfort.
All members receive instruction in first aid, rescue, navigation, and operational safety, with specialist qualifications in firefighting, search and rescue, and other lawful emergency disciplines.
Operations are categorised as Parade, Exercise, Campaign, or Special Operation, each governed by defined rules of engagement.

Privacy and Security

ΛV keeps its members’ information secure, uses it only for operational purposes, and does not release it without consent or lawful order.
Any breach is dealt with in accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme.

Insurance and Liability

ΛV holds public liability and volunteer insurance covering authorised operations.
All service carries inherent risk; liability rests with the individual except where injury or loss is caused by proven negligence on the part of ΛV.

Approved by the General Command, Ausland Volunteers
For enquiries: legal@auslandvolunteers.org – Cairns, QLD, Australia