Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to meet people and feel more connected to the local community. Learn about how to get involved in volunteering and the many volunteer organisations available in Western Australia.

Student volunteering in Perth

Volunteers play a vital role in Western Australian communities, helping to support local organisations and promote positive change.

Providing you with a sense of fulfilment and purpose, student volunteering is a great way to connect with other people, build a supportive network, and make a difference to your community. And, it’s fun!

Volunteering at one of Perth’s many charitable organisations or community programs is also a great way to grow as a person. You will enhance your self-confidence and develop new skills and learn to foster empathy and understanding towards diverse groups of people.

Having volunteer experience on your resume or transcript can also make you a stronger candidate when applying for jobs.

What is volunteering?

Volunteering means donating your time in an unpaid role to help an organisation or person in need without expecting any money in return.

You can volunteer through a charity, not-for-profit, community organisation, or even through your education institution to help develop your skills and become job-ready.

The benefits of volunteering

Volunteering offers a number of amazing benefits and opportunities. You'll learn more about yourself and others, positively impact the community and have fun while doing it.

Other key benefits include:

Giving back to the community
Meeting new people, making new friends and growing your network
Personal growth
Gaining new experience and skills
Enhanced wellbeing - both mental and physical
Career advancement
Increased empathy
Practising/improving your English

Can I volunteer on a student visa?

As a student, you may volunteer as part of your Permission to Work that was granted from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Students are allowed to engage in volunteer work without it being counted towards the maximum 20 hours of paid work.

Because of the wide range of visa types and changing conditions, we recommend contacting the Department of Immigration and Border Protection if you have any doubts about your right to volunteer.

Learn more

How to become a volunteer

If you're new to volunteering, here are a few considerations to keep in mind before you get started:

Consider your interests: Think about what genuinely interests you and brings you joy so you can find volunteer work that aligns with these.

Assess how much time you have: Take an honest look at your schedule and determine how much time you can realistically dedicate to volunteering. This will ensure you can commit to the chosen opportunity without overextending yourself.

Understand your Motivations: Think about why you want to volunteer and what you want to get out of it. This will benefit both you and the organisation you choose to support.

Look for opportunities: Many of Perth's education institutions have strong ties to local and national charities. Why not start by finding out about volunteer groups and programs at your university or college? You can also begin to search for volunteering opportunities online. Research local organisations and reach out to them.

Important things to know when applying

Approach volunteer positions as if they were paid opportunities. Create a detailed application package, including a cover letter that clearly communicates what attracted you to the role and demonstrates how you would be a valuable addition to the organisation.

When applying for a volunteer role in Australia, it's normal to be asked for personal references and criminal records checks. You might also need to provide various forms of identification. These can include your passport and proof of address.

Volunteering opportunities available in Perth

Volunteering WA is WA’s peak volunteering body and offers the state’s largest source of volunteer opportunities.

No matter where you are studying in Perth, Volunteering WA can help you connect with a variety of community organisations for short-term or long-term volunteer opportunities.

They can help you find a worthy organisation that aligns with your studies and interests, helping you get the most out of your volunteering experience.

Volunteering WA

Each of Perth's universities has an established volunteering program where you can register to volunteer on and off-campus, with some universities even offering to recognise your volunteering activities on your academic transcript.

The university volunteer programs include:

Curtin Volunteers

Guild Volunteering (UWA)

Murdoch Volunteering Hub

Volunteering ECU

Notre Dame Volunteer Network

The Rotaract Club of Perth is a community service and professional development organisation for students and young professionals aged 18 years old and above. Warmly welcoming all international students, members include a diverse range of individuals passionate about giving back to the community, connecting with like-minded people and building important transferrable skills.

Their events include sandwich making for the homeless, toothbrush packing for the Kimberley, charity dinners, annual charity ball and professional development events.

Rotaract Club of Perth

The Board of International Students Western Australia (BISWA) is always looking for international students to fill various volunteer positions at their organisation.

Recently formed by veteran and current student leaders, BISWA is an organisation that aims to unite international students who are studying in different institutions and advocate on their behalf.

Express your interest by filling out this form.

Helpful links

Internships

Learn about the range of internships available to students in Perth.

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Seasonal, casual and part-time work

Earn some extra money with a number of seasonal, casual and part-time work opportunities.

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Careers in Perth

Take advantage of Perth’s diverse career opportunities across a range of exciting industries.

Learn more

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