An International Student’s Guide to Volunteering
Are you interested in volunteering?
It’s a great way to meet new people, make friends, build skills, and contribute to the community. By embracing the opportunity to serve, you are not only impacting lives but also growing as an individual, learning valuable lessons that textbooks alone could never teach. So why not consider volunteering?
For those that aren’t interested yet
Have you been going from shop to shop, one company to another handing out your resume? Have you been actively applying to jobs and everyone says the same thing “We need experience” but no one is willing to give you that experience? Sound quite familiar?
We’ve all been there at some point in our lives and it’s demoralizing. You’re ready to give it your all, you just need a chance. Is there something you can do to bridge this gap between having no experience and getting that job? Yes, there are things you can do to build experience and enhance your employability without having a job and volunteering is one of them.
I’m on a student visa, can I volunteer?
A 100 percent! Though international students have restrictions on working hours, these do not apply to volunteering activities. Which means you can work unrestricted at a pace you are comfortable with. Not sure what is considered a volunteering activity? You can visit the Australian government sites to find out more.
Volunteering Opportunities
There are a variety of volunteering sectors you can participate in based on your interests. Here are some of them:
Arts and Culture - Festivals, Events, Productions, etc
Conservation - Parks, Wildlife, Environment, etc
Community services - Development, Clean-up, etc
Education - Teaching, Tutoring, Mentoring, etc
Healthcare - Hospitals, Clinics, Emotional support, etc
International Aid - Overseas Volunteering
Keeping safe - Neighbourhood watch, Policing, etc
People Care - Elderly, Differently abled, etc
Sports and Recreation - Coaching, Tournaments, etc
University activities - Events, Workshops, Stalls, etc
What type of volunteer work should I do?
There’s a plethora of options to choose from but ultimately it will come down to your reasons for wanting to volunteer. If you are looking to just volunteer because you like it and want to give back to the community you can volunteer anywhere. If you are looking to build your skill and enhance your employability then you should look at skilled volunteering. This may be volunteering at an organization through activities that will build your experience such as supporting events, building websites and applications, or activities in the area of your study.
Where should I volunteer?
You can either volunteer internally or externally. If you are just starting out with volunteering or if you are not comfortable going to an organization I would suggest volunteering internally. That is volunteering at your University, this is an excellent platform as there are plenty of volunteering opportunities available. These are advertised on websites, magazines, newsletters, and also word of mouth. There might be volunteering programs and groups run by the university. Participating in these opportunities can also contribute to any award programs and commendations that the university gives to students.
Some Internal options are:
The University
Your University Student Union
If you feel comfortable you can volunteer with an external organization. There are several options to choose from, some are state-specific and others are Australia-wide. Your university might also conduct volunteering expos that will connect you with some of these organizations. Some organizations to consider are GoVolunteer, Seek Volunteering, and Volunteering Australia.
Things to consider before Volunteering
Before you jump into volunteering and community service there might be things you will need to understand and learn more about. You won’t have to worry much about volunteering on campus as the university will have considered the student’s needs and would be accommodating, it’s more for external organizations and activities. Here are some things to consider:
What sort of duties will you be doing?
Clarify the expectations of the role, including responsibilities, tasks, and time commitment. Make sure you're comfortable with what's expected of you.
Are there any costs involved?
Determine if there are any costs associated with volunteering, such as uniforms, transportation, etc. Some organizations may cover these expenses.
Do you need a license?
Depending on the activity you might need a license, for example, to work or volunteer with children in some states, you may need a blue card or if the activity involves driving you will need a driver's license.
Is it accessible?
Consider whether the volunteering opportunity is accessible in terms of location, transportation, and any physical or logistical constraints.
Will you receive any training?
Check if you need training and if the organization is willing to provide adequate training and support. This can include orientation, resources, and ongoing guidance.
Do you have insurance?
Check if the organization has you covered.
How much time can you give?
Determine how much time you can realistically commit, whether you're looking for a short-term or long-term commitment, and whether the schedule fits your availability.
Are you emotionally prepared?
Some volunteering roles may involve emotionally challenging situations. Be prepared for these and make sure you're emotionally equipped to handle them.