Volunteering Q & A's

Where can I volunteer?
Volunteering NSW can put you in touch with a wide range of opportunities in not-for-profit organisations across the Greater Sydney area. To find volunteer positions in regional NSW, we can refer you to your nearest volunteer resource centre.

What kind of work can I do?
Almost any. From healthcare to bookkeeping, office administration to public relations, crowd control to computer programming, construction to community work, child care to prison visiting.

Do I have a choice about where I volunteer?
Absolutely. VNSW aims to match your interests and skills with the specific requirements of different not-for-profit organisations. You'll be consulted about where you'd prefer to work as a volunteer. We'll also talk to you about the skills, interests, values or ambitions that you'd like to match with your volunteering opportunities.

How long do I have to commit for?
It's your choice. You're commitment to a particular volunteer position depends entirely upon your circumstances, interests, and the length of time your volunteer position is available for.

How much time to I need to give?
You can volunteer at any time of the week, day or night. While most volunteering takes place during office hours, you can volunteer at evenings and weekends too, depending on what you want to do. Typical volunteer opportunities outside office hours include, mentoring and tutoring, campaigning, environmental work, and sports. Virtual volunteering provides flexible opportunities to volunteer online.

Can I volunteer with my family or friends?
Some volunteering opportunities are available for groups – though there's more choice available for individuals. Examples of volunteering where two or more people can easily join together include, door knocking/appeals, bush-care and fundraising. Check with VNSW about the group volunteering opportunities that are currently available, such as Event Volunteering.

Are there age restrictions?
When volunteering for a not-for-profit organisation the usual minimum age is 18 and a few have upper age limits (this depends on the not-for-profit organisation's insurance policy). However, school groups often participate in voluntary activities too. Organisations must have appropriate volunteer insurance to accommodate the age of their volunteers. Check with individual organisations as their insurance company usually sets the age limits.

Do I need experience or qualification?
This depends entirely on the role. Attitude and experience are very important. Some volunteer roles require specific job skills or qualifications, while others ask only for a willingness to learn. Opportunities in education, social work, and health care exist even for those without formal training in these areas.

Can people on tourist visas volunteer in Australia?
People on tourist visas can volunteer as long as their volunteering does not displace a paid worker and they do not receive a wage although out of pocket expenses are permitted. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website says:

"In general terms, you may be able to work as a volunteer whilst on a Tourist visa if:

• your main purpose in visiting Australia is tourism, and any voluntary work remains incidental to this
• the work involved would not otherwise be undertaken, in return for wages, by an Australian resident
• the work is genuinely voluntary and that no remuneration is received in return for the activities.

Note: It is acceptable, under the conditions of the Tourist visa, to receive meals, accommodation and/ or reimbursement of out-of-pocket living expenses in return for voluntary work." (Copied Monday, 11 December 2006)

I work full time - can I volunteer?
Yes, there are many volunteer opportunities that do not require you to be available during "normal" office hours. One of the best things about volunteering is that it can be done at a time that best fits with your lifestyle. As well as on-going opportunities, Volunteering NSW offers you the chance to volunteer seasonally, intermittently, or for one-off occasions.

Many organisations would love to find volunteers that are able to volunteer evenings, nights and/or weekends. Some examples of out of office hours volunteering include: campaigning, telephone counseling services and help lines, working with homeless people, mentoring, environmental and sports.

Will I be interviewed? What will they ask me? What can I ask them?
There is a set procedure for all volunteers interviewed by VNSW. The interview process gives you, and the organisation, a chance to assess each other and an opportunity to ask questions. It is important to ensure that you are well-matched to a volunteer opportunity.

A typical interview may include any of the following:

• Why you are interested in volunteering?
• What sort of voluntary work are you interested in?
• What skills do you offer?
• What new skills would you like to learn through your volunteer work?
• How much time you have to offer?

You can ask them anything that you want to know, including:

• Does the organisation cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses?
• Are there any training opportunities?
• What is the scope of the role?
• What support and supervision are available from your volunteer coordinator or manager? (It's important to have someone you can talk to regularly about how you are getting on.)
• Am I covered by the organisation's public liability and personal accident insurance policies?

Do I need references?
Some organisations require references or referee contact details – these vary depending on the volunteer role. Before referring you to a particular volunteering opportunity, we'll talk to you about any references or referee contact details that the organisation requires.

Do I need to be police checked?
Volunteer roles that involve working with vulnerable people, such as the frail aged or children, require careful screening. Police and “Working with Children” checks protect your safety as well as the clients of the organisation. The type of check depends upon the volunteer role; you'll be advised if a check is required to undertake the role.

I've been referred to an organisation. What happens next?
Most organisations will want to conduct a further interview. This gives you and the organisation the chance to assess each other. In addition, it gives you the chance to get a feel for the organisation, and sometimes the opportunity to meet the people you'll be working with.

What happens if I start volunteering but I decide to leave?
You're under no obligation to keep a volunteer position that you're unhappy with. To see if your issues can be addressed, talk with your supervisor, manager, or Volunteer Coordinator, before you give an appropriate amount of notice that you're leaving your voluntary role. Also, you can ask Volunteering NSW for support with the problem; or we can help you find another role.

Most organisations have a grievance procedure. If you feel strongly that something should be done to address the situation, access this process to seek a resolution.

What can I do afterwards?
The skills and experiences that you gain while volunteering are often very useful for careers and life generally. The skills and experiences may enhance your resume. Many organisations will also provide you with a reference. Many people use volunteering to road-test a new career or to secure paid employment; others find the experience valuable for personal reasons.

I'm interested in volunteering overseas. Can you help me?
We can provide information and refer you to organisations that deal with volunteering overseas. See our useful links section to find out more.

Will volunteering cost me anything?
It does not cost anything for individuals to volunteer. Organisations providing volunteer opportunities may be able to reimburse minor expenses, such as travel. Out of pocket expenses must be agreed by the organisation and might include travel, meals purchased whilst volunteering, special clothing etc. It is a good idea to enquire about expenses you may incur before committing to a volunteer role.

Not-for-profit organisations often require information, infrastructure, and training to properly manage their volunteers – this is provided to them as part of the annual The Centre for Volunteering's membership fee.