According to the Voluntary Organisations Act, a Voluntary Organisation is an organization that is created or established:

• for any lawful purpose;
• as non-profit making; and
• is voluntary

The law also establishes a procedure for the enrolment of Voluntary Organisations in a 'Register of Voluntary Organisations'. Enrolment requires the fulfillment of several requirements, including submitting annual accounts and identifying the organization's administrators. It should be noted that it is not enrolment that confers the status of 'Voluntary Organisation'. Any organization that fulfills the above criteria is a Voluntary Organisation. However, enrolment confers many essential advantages to the organization that is worthy of note.

Through the Voluntary Organizations Act of 2007, Maltese law regulates and protects Voluntary and Charitable institutions. This Act set up the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations with the remit to fortify the voluntary sector through various initiatives to promote the work of voluntary organizations (VOs) and encourage their role as partners with the government in multiple initiatives. The crucial task of the Commissioner's office is to give more visibility to the voluntary sector and guarantee transparency and accountability of the organizations that compose it. To this effect, the Office of the Commissioner is also the regulatory authority responsible for this area to watch and supervise the activities of these organizations and support them.