Can I volunteer in a Save the Children Australia office?
Absolutely. All our offices have regular and casual volunteers doing all sorts of interesting and essential office-related activities: from general admin and helping with mail-outs, to banking and event planning. Our volunteers provide invaluable support to our operations and gain satisfaction from supporting our cause.
Can I volunteer overseas?
We do not have an overseas volunteer program, as we support the work of local people and organisations overseas – encouraging community participation and building local capacity. If you are interested in international volunteering, these agencies may have suitable opportunities:
Can I volunteer if I work full time?
Most of our volunteer roles occur within business hours, but there are a number of ways you can support our programs that operate out of hours. All our volunteer opportunities and the hours of operation and time required are listed in our volunteer opportunities.
We understand your time is precious and we encourage you to consider the time commitment for any of our volunteer opportunities.
What skills or experience do I need to volunteer?
Unless the volunteer roles states specific skills, you don't need specialised knowledge and experience. Our volunteers come from a diverse range of backgrounds, professions and ages with a wide range of skills and experiences. Students, retirees, refugees, professionals and people looking for work – volunteering is open to everyone.
Does Save the Children accept interns?
We highly value the contribution of interns. We are committed to developing their skills and capacity, and giving them the opportunity to work on meaningful projects. All our internship positions are promoted on our website.
Does Save the Children accept work experience students?
We don't offer work experience placements, but young people over 18 years of age are very welcome to volunteer with us in one of our op shops.
I'm an overseas visitor. Can I volunteer in Australia?
It is the responsibility of volunteers to ensure that they are eligible to volunteer in Australia. If you are from overseas, you need to make sure that your visa type allows volunteer activity. For more information visit Department of Immigration website.
Can my company volunteer with Save the Children?
We receive a large number of offers from organisations to provide staff for unskilled opportunities as part of their annual corporate social responsibility goals. We have limited unskilled volunteer opportunities, due to the nature of our programs, and as a consequence can only offer these to our corporate partners.
If your company is interested in becoming a partner of Save the Children, or offering specialist skills to help with some of our key projects, please read more about corporate volunteering or email volunteer@savethechildren.org.au .
Why does Save the Children use volunteers?
Save the Children was initially founded and run by volunteers. We engage volunteers because of their passion, enthusiasm, skills and experience. We simply could not provide the level of service, support and advocacy to children throughout our programs without the contribution of our volunteers. We uphold the highest standards in managing and supporting our volunteers and ensure all our volunteers are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
What are my rights and responsibilities as a volunteer?
All our volunteers and staff are treated consistently and equitably irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, political and religious affiliations, physical ability, family status, age or sexual preference. We operate within a diverse national and international community and are committed to developing policies, practices and ways of working that support our volunteers.
What is Save the Children Australia's Child Protection Code of Conduct?
We are absolutely committed to protecting the rights of all children to live safely and without fear of abuse or exploitation. We take our duty to protect children and advocate on their behalf very seriously. All our volunteers are required to read, understand and commit to our Child Protection Code of Conduct.
We have firm volunteer screening procedures and compliance standards, which vary according to the volunteer role. In general, all volunteers are required to:
- undertake a personal interview and /or induction
- get a Working with Children Check (if the role involves access to children) and Police Check
- supply verbal referees
- read and sign the Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct
Who can I contact if I have a query not covered by this FAQ?
Please contact our Volunteer Engagement Advisor at volunteer@savethechildren.org.au