Volunteering

There are so many exciting volunteer and developmental opportunities in your local or online communities, it’s just a case of deciding what you want to get out of a volunteer experience and then seeking out the right opportunity for you. Here are some top tips to get you started.

Top tips for volunteering?

• Insurance: As a volunteer, rather than a paid staff member, you will not be covered by Work Cover. To ensure that you are protected whilst volunteering, it is important that you ask the organisation you are volunteering for if they have public liability insurance (the policy must mention volunteers) and personal accident for volunteers.
• Safety screenings: If you are hoping to carry out a volunteer role which has any contact with children, young people or people who are vulnerable, you will most likely be asked by the volunteer organisation to get a Police Check and the appropriate screening check that your state or territory requires to prove that you can work safely with children. In most states this is referred to as a Working with Children Check and ensures the protection of you as a volunteer, the organisation and the people you are volunteering to help.
• Volunteering resources: For more tips and resources on what you need to know and do as a volunteer check out the Volunteering Australia website.
• Building skills and experience for my resume: Take a look at your current resume and consider where the gaps are. Research the core skills needed for your future career or book a meeting with a Career’s Advisor to see how you could use volunteering to build your resume.
• Be mindful: Be mindful about what you want to achieve through volunteering. Is it to make friends, to develop your professional networks, build confidence, practice your English or something else? Chat with the organisation about what you want to get out of the volunteer role to make sure it’s the right match and so they can support you in reaching your goals.

Where can I find the right opportunity?

• Log into EDGE and check out the Jobs board.
• Volunteer websites: Check out the following websites for a variety of local, national and online volunteer opportunities:
  • GoVolunteer
  • Seek
• Volunteer Resource Centres: Many regions have a volunteer resource centre helping to connect people with local opportunities. Here are some great links:
  • Ballarat region - The Ballarat Foundation
  • Horsham region - Centre for Participation
  • Berwick region - South East Volunteers or City of Casey Volunteer Matcher
  • Gippsland region - Gippsland Volunteering
• Local council: Take a look at your local town or city council’s website for local volunteer opportunities
• Neighbourhood centres: Your local neighbourhood centre is often an untapped resource for exploring your interests and developing skills as they run a series of community interest groups and training courses. Neighbourhood centres are not-for-profit organisations and are often supported by volunteers. You can find your local centre through the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association website.
• Online: Contributing to open source software will give you a chance to develop skills and get connected to online communities. A couple of great places to start are GitHub or GitLab, two software platforms which invite open source contributions.

If you would like to chat more about any of this information or to get started with your volunteering please contact the Student Development team to make a face to face, telephone or screen to screen appointment