Find a volunteer role

Centrelink has suggested that I volunteer. What sort of roles can I apply for?

The majority of our volunteer opportunities will be acceptable to Centrelink, however they make the final decisions on what volunteer positions are acceptable.

We suggest that you find a volunteer position that you believe will suit you and then contact Centrelink to enquire if it is acceptable to them and meets your participation requirements.

Can I volunteer for work experience or to improve my language skills?

There are many worthwhile reasons for volunteering, including to gain work experience or to improve your English language skills.

However, it is important to realise if you are volunteering for either of these reasons, you must put the needs of the organisation first. As a volunteer you are agreeing to donate your time to their cause.

The organisation you are volunteering your time for has been set up with a purpose. They have seen personal and community needs which are not being met and have resolved to fix the problems.

They often are working very hard with little or no money and very limited resources. As a volunteer for them, you are committing to their purpose. The rewards for volunteering (which are many) are a bonus.

Many nonprofits will advertise their opportunities with the promise of gaining experience. Most will be happy to provide you with a reference if you perform well for them.

As for improving language skills, it may be best to first look for positions that do not require fluency in English. This means work that you are familiar enough with to do without much instruction or that doesn't require a lot of high-level communication with others. Environmental work, gardening or non-skilled work may be best in this regard. As you talk with your fellow volunteers and improve your English, you may feel confident to apply for further positions that continue to build your communication skills.

What is a Police Certificate? Why might I need one?

If you want to volunteer with the elderly, people with a disability or other disadvantaged groups, you may need a Police Certificate.

Nonprofits working with at risk groups must protect these individuals from any kind of abuse, including verbal, physical, sexual or financial. This protection is what we all expect and demand for ourselves and our families. We would not allow strangers into our homes if we did not know they were genuine, honest people and they are who they claim to be. This is what the Police Certificate helps to establish.

For an organisation to obtain a Police Certificate about you, you will be required to sign a consent form and provide them with proof of ID to submit to the Police. The organisation also needs to be registered with the Police as a group with a genuine need to protect the people they serve.

For more information about Police Certificates, visit the QPS website.

I can't find a volunteer opportunity that suits me. What else do you have available?

Volunteering Queensland has listed all the positions our members have available on our website, and there are thousands of opportunities on offer.

If you cannot find a position that suits you, here are a few tips:

• Broaden your search and look outside the box by trying more categories you're prepared to volunteer in. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills.
• Increase the amount of areas you are prepared to travel to by broadening your location search. Remember to factor in travel time and costs before applying for a volunteer position.
• Keep an eye on the media and local newspapers for events in your local area. Everything from fun runs and cycle events to community and school fairs often need volunteer assistance. These are a great way to get involved if you work full time or have a busy family life as they often only require a few hours commitment.
• Start local! Your local sports club, scouts group or seniors centre might need a hand, especially if they are running fundraising events or carnivals. Your local community centre or shopping centre may have a notice board with requests for help.
• As is often the case with paid employment, word of mouth and networking is a great way to find volunteer roles. Ask around your friends, family and neighbours to see what they might be involved with or know about.
• New roles are posted every day, so keep checking back regularly to see what's on offer.

Why do I need a blue card to volunteer? How can I apply for a blue card?

All volunteers working with children or young people must hold a blue card to confirm they are suitable to work with this group of people.

A blue card is free for volunteers to obtain. The organisation will apply for the blue card on behalf of their volunteer, who must provide proof of identification for the application to commence. It could take anywhere from two to six weeks for your blue card to arrive. Two to three weeks is normal, but may take longer if clarifications need to be made to a certain part of the application. Volunteers cannot start working with an organisation until their blue card has been approved.

If your blue card is due to expire, ensure you reapply at least 30 days before the listed expiry date. If you allow your card to expire before applying for a new card, you will not be able to continue volunteering for your organisations until your new card has been received.

If you already hold a blue card, or wish to check a volunteer's blue card, you can check validity via Blue Card Services - Online Validation. Blue cards for volunteers are valid for three years.

For more information regarding blue cards, contact Blue Card Services on 1800 113 611.

I am under 18, can I still volunteer? Can my child (under 18) volunteer with me?

Not all nonprofits are set up to support volunteers under the age of 18.

This may be due to insurance restrictions, inappropriate work environments or staff requirements (such as needing to hold a blue card). Ensuring a safe and secure environment for children is paramount for an organisation looking to accept young volunteers.

If the parent or legal guardian is accompanying their child, there is no legal requirement for staff of an organisation to hold blue cards. However, the parent or guardian will need to contact the organisation directly to discuss if they are comfortable having young volunteers.

If the under 18 is not going to be accompanied whilst volunteering, there are certain legal requirements that must be met by the organisation. Not all nonprofits will be able to meet these requirements - for example, being able to afford the cost of blue cards for their staff. Contact the organisation directly to discuss this with them.

You can search for volunteer opportunities where the organisation has deemed the role appropriate for under 18s (families or youth/school volunteers). There are also some great high profile organisations with programs specifically for under 18s:

• Scouts Queensland
• Girl Guides Queensland
• Surf Life Saving Queensland
• Leos Club - Lions Australia
• Police Citizens Youth Club

I am not an Australian citizen, can I still volunteer?

If you are in Australia on a visa and interested in volunteering, you will need to check the specific conditions of your visa, as each type is different.

The Australian Government's Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) website contains entitlement information for visa holders, including if your visa allows for volunteering in Australia. You can also contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and discuss your visa conditions with them directly.

Volunteering Queensland understands that if you hold a work visa, you will most likely be entitled to volunteer. Some visitor visas may allow volunteering, but we suggest you check online or contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to confirm. If you are applying for a visa from overseas and want to volunteer when you come to Australia, we suggest you make this clear when you apply.

If you are on a visa allowing you to work whilst studying, a genuine volunteer position is not included in the limit of 40 hours per fortnight.