How to get started

As a volunteer, the best way to make an effective contribution is through your involvement with an organised settlement service provider with established volunteer programs.

These service providers have experience in providing guidance to volunteers, and will provide you with volunteer training, co-ordination and support and will link you to migrants and refugees most in need of assistance.

Volunteering with department funded service providers

To find out what opportunities are available, contact a service provider or community organisation in your area. You can search for your nearest Settlement Grants Program organisation online.
See: Settlement Services Locator

A list of organisations currently funded under the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy is available to download as a PDF file. Each IHSS service provider has a Volunteer Management Framework which sets out the roles and responsibilities of all parties.
See: IHSS Service Providers 2005-2010

If you would like to volunteer to help teach English to newly-arrived refugees and migrants, more information is available online.
See: Teaching English with the Adult Migrant English Program

Volunteering Australia

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body working to encourage and promote volunteering in the Australian community.

The Volunteering Australia network consists of state and territory volunteering centres and a network of regional volunteer resource centres located around Australia. These centres provide volunteer matching and referral services.

Volunteering Australia promotes the rights and responsibilities of the volunteer.
See: Volunteering Australia

GoVolunteer

GoVolunteer is an initiative of Volunteering Australia, and is Australia's first national online volunteer recruitment service.  GoVolunteer provides volunteers with a starting point to match their skills and interests with the needs of non-profit organisations.
See: GoVolunteer

Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)

FaHCSIA manages a range of programs which support volunteers and volunteering. These include the Voluntary Work Initiative and the Volunteer Management Framework.

More information about these and other Australian Government initiatives on volunteering is available on the FaHCSIA website.
See: FaHCSIA