Volunteering plays a significant role in Australian community life. Whether it’s helping at a local sports club, assisting new migrants, supporting an aged-care centre, or preserving the natural environment, volunteers keep essential services running. People choose to volunteer for many reasons — learning new skills, meeting others, or giving back to the community they now call home.

Below is a clear guide to how volunteering works in Australia, why people do it, the support available, and some common challenges volunteers face.

volunteer word with hands


Why Australians Volunteer

Australia has one of the highest volunteering rates in the world. Volunteers are not paid for their time, but the contribution they make is central to keeping community services operating.

People who volunteer often gain:

✔ New skills

Volunteering can help you develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Many organisations offer short inductions or training.

✔ Local connections

Volunteering is an easy way to meet people in your community, especially if you are new to Australia and still building a social network.

✔ Improved English skills

For many migrants, interacting with different people in a volunteer setting builds confidence and improves English naturally.

✔ Workplace experience

While volunteer work is not the same as paid employment, it can demonstrate reliability, initiative, and practical abilities — all helpful for your CV.

✔ A sense of purpose

Helping others can increase wellbeing and make you feel more connected to the place you live.

Where Volunteering Happens

Volunteering touches almost every sector in Australia, including:

  • Education and after-school programs
  • Emergency services
  • Environment and wildlife conservation
  • Sports clubs and cultural organisations
  • Aged care and disability support
  • Community services, migrant support programs and refuges
  • Hospitals and health services
  • Local councils and charity shops

Volunteer Resource Centres operate across Australia, offering:

  • Information and advice
  • Referral and matching services
  • Training and support for volunteers
  • Assistance for organisations that rely on volunteers

Volunteers from Diverse Backgrounds

Volunteering is popular among people from migrant backgrounds. Recent Census data shows:

  • Almost one-third of volunteers aged over 15 were born overseas.

However, Census figures do not capture informal volunteering — such as helping neighbours, supporting community events, or assisting other migrants — which is especially common in refugee and migrant communities.

Across the settlement sector, many organisations rely heavily on volunteers who are themselves newly arrived, using their lived experience to guide others.


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Volunteers working in Australia


Managing Volunteers: How It Works

Running a volunteer program requires planning and proper management to ensure safety, productivity, and fairness.

Volunteer Managers

Volunteer managers are central to:

  • Recruiting suitable volunteers
  • Conducting inductions
  • Providing training
  • Offering supervision and support
  • Ensuring volunteers are safe and have a good experience

These managers are often supported by Volunteering Support Services, funded by State, Territory, and Commonwealth governments.

In 2017 alone, these services supported more than 12.3 million hours of volunteering activity across Australia.

Benefits for Organisations and Communities

Volunteering doesn’t just help individuals — it strengthens entire communities.

Organisations benefit through:

  • Access to skilled and committed volunteers
  • Support for people experiencing social isolation
  • Increased cultural diversity
  • Access to community resources and networks
  • Economic and social gains through community engagement
  • Better outcomes using data-driven planning and best practices

Barriers to Volunteering

Despite the benefits, some challenges can limit people’s ability to volunteer.

According to the State of Volunteering in Australia Report (2016), major barriers include:

1. Out-of-pocket expenses

Travel, uniforms, fuel, and meals are the most common costs.

  • 27% of respondents said this was the main barrier.
  • 53% of organisations did not reimburse volunteers.

2. Lack of flexibility

Some programs require set shifts or long commitments, which can be difficult for volunteers balancing work, study, or family responsibilities.

3. Administrative burdens

Extra paperwork, compliance requirements, and complex processes can discourage participation.


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Team of volunteer


Volunteering and Visa Conditions (FAQ)

1. Can foreigners volunteer in Australia?

Yes — many visitors and migrants can volunteer.

However, you must ensure you hold visa that permits unpaid work. Always check with the Department of Home Affairs.

2. Is volunteer work paid?

Volunteer roles are unpaid. However, volunteers may receive:

  • reimbursements
  • small allowances
  • non-cash benefits

The key rule: volunteers must not replace paid workers.

3. What is the maximum time you can volunteer?

It depends on your visa. For example, Working Holiday Maker visa holders can remain in Australia for up to 12 months, with the option of extensions if they complete specified work.

4. Can someone on a 482 visa volunteer?

Spouses or partners of TSS (Subclass 482) visa holders may face restrictions on second jobs. Some occupations are exempt. Always check conditions attached to your visa.

5. Where can I find volunteer opportunities?

You can explore roles through:

  • Volunteering Australia
  • GoVolunteer
  • SEEK Volunteer
  • State and Territory volunteering organisations
  • Local council websites
  • Migrant resource centres
  • Community service organisations

Australia also has State/Territory bodies such as:

  • The Centre for Volunteering (NSW)
  • Volunteering Victoria
  • Volunteering Tasmania
  • Volunteering WA
  • Volunteering Queensland
  • Volunteering SA–NT

Final Thoughts

Volunteering in Australia is more than unpaid work. It is a pathway into the community, a chance to build confidence, and an important contribution to the wellbeing of others. While barriers exist, the benefits — for individuals, organisations, and the wider community — are significant. For new arrivals to Australia, volunteering can be one of the most meaningful steps towards belonging.