Whether you’re drawn to environmental causes, community welfare, education, sport or beyond, there’s a place where your unique skills and interests can flourish.

People volunteer for many reasons and in many different ways. Some use volunteering as way to gain new skills or add to their cover letter and resume. (Click here for some tips on how to add volunteering to your resume). Others use it as a way to meet new people, make new friends or try something new. Many volunteers enjoy playing a vital role in creating positive change in their communities and this can give a sense of purpose. Whatever your reason for volunteering, rest assured it is a two-way exchange – you give but you also gain.

There’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering.

Find a volunteer role

 

GoVolunteer is an initiative of Volunteering Australia. Our aim is to match people who are interested in volunteering with appropriate volunteering opportunities. The website uses a national database of volunteering opportunities.

Think about your own motivations for volunteering, how much time you can commit and what you hope to get out of it. This will help you to choose a role that is a good match for you.

GoVolunteer has a large range of volunteer roles including one off, short term and long term opportunities and many volunteer involving organisations can be flexible with times. GoVolunteer also makes it easy for you to find a volunteer role that suits your interests, motivation, availability and location.

  • Finding more information
    Sometimes it can be worth giving an organisation a call before applying for a role to find out more information. Similarly, some organisations might hold general information sessions for prospective volunteers so they can ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the organisation and role
    requirements before applying.

    Volunteering is a two-way relationship and it is important you feel confident that both the organisation and role are a good fit for you. The best way to determine this is to ask!

Volunteer role considerations

You’ve decided you’d like to do some volunteering – but how do you go about finding the perfect volunteering role? Before jumping on to the internet to go looking, it’s worth thinking about what your motivations and interests are and how much time you want to commit. This will help you to find a role that meets your needs. Many volunteering sites allow you to search by different categories, including searching via key word.

Below are some questions worth thinking about before you begin looking for your perfect role:

  • Commitment: How much time can you commit?
    ☐ Micro volunteering (less than 3 hours)
    ☐ Event volunteering (one off event that may last over several days)
    ☐ Short term (less than six months)
    ☐ Long term (more than six months/ongoing

  • What days and times are you available?
    ☐ Weekdays
    ☐ Weekends only
    ☐ Mornings
    ☐ Afternoons

  • Where would you like to volunteer?
    ☐ Within a few km from home
    ☐ Somewhere accessible by public transport
    ☐ Anywhere
    ☐ Virtually (online from any location)

  • Do you have specific suitability requests?
    I am seeking a position suitable for:
    ☐ Volunteer with mutual obligation requirements
    ☐ A group of 10 or more
    ☐ Young volunteer (aged 14 – 18)
    ☐ Family with children
    ☐ Online/remote volunteer
    ☐ Seeking work experience
    ☐ Travelling volunteer
    ☐ Volunteering on a VISA

  • Do you have skills you want to bring to your volunteering role?
    You may have skills or qualifications that you would like to contribute as a volunteer. Consider how these
    skills might be useful for an organisation and how you could add value to an organisation by volunteering
    your skills.

  • Are there skills you wish to gain from your volunteering role?
    You may be interested in volunteering to gain new skills. Consider what skills you would like to build and
    how this might be achieved through different roles. Be sure to have a conversation with
    the organisation about your desire to build new skills so they can meet this motivation, or let you know if
    they won’t be able to upskill you.

  • What kind of organisation would you like to volunteer with?
    ☐ Animal Welfare
    ☐ Arts and Culture
    ☐ Community Services
    ☐ Disability Services
    ☐ Disaster Relief
    ☐ Drug & Alcohol Services
    ☐ Education and Training
    ☐ Emergency Response
    ☐ Environment & Conservation
    ☐ Family Services
    ☐ Health
    ☐ Homelessness Services
    ☐ Indigenous Australians
    ☐ Mentoring & Advocacy
    ☐ Migrant Services
    ☐ Museums and Heritage
    ☐ Recreation
    ☐ Seniors & Aged Care
    ☐ Sport
    ☐ Veterans Services
    ☐ Young People

  • What type of volunteering role are you interested in?
    ☐ Accounting & Finance
    ☐ Administration & Office Management
    ☐ Arts, Craft & Photography
    ☐ Childcare
    ☐ Companionship & Social Support
    ☐ Counselling & Help Line
    ☐ Disability Support
    ☐ Driving & Transportation
    ☐ Education & Training
    ☐ Food Preparation & Service
    ☐ Fundraising & Events
    ☐ Garden Maintenance
    ☐ Governance, Boards & Committees
    ☐ IT & Web Development
    ☐ Library Services
    ☐ Marketing, Media & Communications
    ☐ Mediation & Advocacy
    ☐ Music & Entertainment
    ☐ Research, Policy & Analysis
    ☐ Retail & Sales
    ☐ Safety & Emergency Services
    ☐ Seniors & Aged Care
    ☐ Sport & Physical Activity
    ☐ Tour Guides, Information & Heritage
    ☐ Trades & Maintenance
    ☐ Translating & Interpreting
    ☐ Tutoring & Coaching
    ☐ Working with Animals
    ☐ Writing & Editing