Living and volunteering in Australia allows you to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage. There’s so much on offer.
From vibrant cities to the rugged outback or the northern tropics, a gap year in Australia is the perfect way to spend a year abroad. Working in a variety of settings, you will be able to develop your skills and pursue new interests while contributing to children’s education and enjoyment.
Australia enjoys a unique environment. Enormous in size with a wide range of diverse landscapes ranging from tropical rainforest, to vast desert tracts and rugged mountains and climates to match, mean there are unlimited volunteer options available.
Where You Can Help
Most opportunities are available in the larger towns and cities but for wildlife and conservation projects these are usually in rural areas:
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Byron Bay
- Cairns
- Gold Coast
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Noosa
- Perth
- Sunshine Coast
- Sydney
How You Can Help
Program options range from heritage restoration, surveys of endangered flora and fauna, weed control, control of salinity and erosion, construction and maintenance of trails, animal care, conservation, farming and habitat restoration to name a few.
Examples of specific programs include help in conservation programs in Northern Territory where a four week placement can have the volunteers work in National Parks or in a rainforest. A six week placement in Alice requires volunteers to travel to Uluru (Ayers Rock) to help put a stop to invasive weeds from taking over this iconic location. A placement in Queensland can have volunteers spend time on Fraser Inland (a World Heritage Site) carrying out boardwalk construction, then moving to Brisbane and aiding in urban conservation by planting trees and controlling weeds and finally finishing off by carrying out reforestation of a rainforest.
For those who love to work with animals a minimum two week placement in North Queensland sanctuary caring for Australian mammals which include cockatoos, crocodiles and parrots. The sanctuary also runs a breeding program for five endangered species. Another option is to volunteer in a Penguin rookery on the island of Phillip in Victoria. Here volunteers assist in the koala conservation, habitat rehabilitation, Hooded plover watch and penguin protection. For people on the clock, Australia also offers volunteering options of very short durations, like the Clean-up Australia Day on first Sunday in March.
Best Volunteer Organisations in Australia
GoVolunteer (Australia’s largest website for volunteering placements), is one place to start looking for specific programs and related details for interested volunteers. The site provides a good launch pad for travellers and volunteers to meet other like-minded people and learn about the country.
For individuals interested in reef related work, the website of Conservation Volunteers Australia is a good option. For volunteering opportunities state wise, it is worthwhile to check out the sites of the volunteering bodies of each state by name.
Volunteering is a great way to see other countries on a budget. There are many non-profit organisations bringing people willing to donate their time together with programs requiring volunteers. However, to ensure that the volunteer experience is safe and productive, it is recommended that an organization meeting the International Guidelines on Voluntourism is selected.
Roles Available
School Assistant
School Assistant placements are located throughout Australia in some of the country’s most welcoming and exciting schools. You will have the chance to work alongside teachers and develop your own teaching skills. There’s also the chance to build strong relationships with the children as you assist with all aspects of school life.
Placement volunteers are generally based in the boarding house or PE/sports department and most schools try to give the volunteer a varied timetable. There’s a strong emphasis on volunteers to get involved with extra-curricular activities such as sports coaching, music, drama and other activities including trips and excursions. Schools in Australia request volunteers with a variety of skills and the Lattitude matching process aims to align volunteers with the correct skills and interests to schools where they can get as involved as possible and really enjoy their placement.
Indigenous School Assistant
We also have some School Assistant placements in indigenous schools. These placements will give you the opportunity to learn about remote indigenous communities in Australia while supporting young students living away from their traditional support network. They will suit patient, resourceful people who are accepting of the beliefs and values of Australia’s indigenous communities. School Assistants are paid a weekly allowance.
Outdoor Camp Assistant
Outdoor Camp Assistant placements in Australia involve working with groups of children coordinating and running activities including: surfing, snorkeling, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, archery or even snowboarding, depending on the location of the camp and the time of year. As you assist instructors you have the chance to gain qualifications and eventually lead the activities. You may also help out with maintenance of the placement, assist with the running of the camp and get involved with the pastoral care of the campers at the start and end of the day. Outdoor Camp Assistants are paid a small weekly allowance to help with day-to-day expenses.
FAQ
Accommodation and food
Accommodation is provided on site (for schools it may be in the boarding house) and food is supplied in conjunction with accommodation.
Pocket money
Volunteers in Australia will receive between $70 (Aus)- $150 (Aus) per week at schools placements and between $50 (Aus) – $75 (Aus) per week at outdoor camps.
Free time and travel
Diversity is the word when it comes to travelling in Australia. From forests, mountains and deserts to coral reefs and lively cities, volunteers in Australia rave about their adventures on this giant island. Australian cities are lively and offer an excellent array of attractions for tourists. If you are placed in a school, it is likely that you will be given 2-3 weeks off during the school holidays. This is perfect for spending a couple of weeks exploring the cultural and geographical gems Australia has to offer.
Volunteers have the opportunity to travel in and around Australia during weekends or at the end of the placement. Don’t miss the chance to learn to surf on the East coast, snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef. Exploring the tropical jungles of the Northern Territories while learning about Aboriginal culture comes highly recommended. Visit the vineyards of South Australia or experience Sydney! From culture vultures to outdoor enthusiasts, there really is something for everyone in Australia.