Volunteer for Charities in Australia – Find Local Opportunities Near You
Looking to volunteer Australia wide? Many volunteer organisations Australia offer opportunities to volunteer for charities near me or find local causes. You can become a charities volunteer, support communities, and gain valuable experience. Start making an impact today by joining a charity near you and contributing your time for free.
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Important Requirements - Working with Children's Check
What is a Working with Children's Check?
A Working with Children's Check (WWCC) is a legal requirement across Australia for anyone working or volunteering with children under 18. It's a background screening that helps protect children by checking an applicant's criminal history and professional conduct. The check is designed to identify people who may pose a risk to children's safety and wellbeing.
What volunteer roles require a WWCC?
You'll need a Working with Children's Check if your volunteer work involves:
- Youth mentoring and tutoring programs
- Children's sports and recreation activities
- School volunteer programs
- Children's hospital and healthcare volunteering
- Child care and early childhood education support
- Children's camps and holiday programs
- Any role where you'll have unsupervised contact with children
How to get your WWCC
- Apply through your state's relevant government website (see links below)
- Complete the application form and pay the fee (often free for volunteers)
- Attend an identity verification appointment if required
- Wait for processing (usually 2-4 weeks)
- Provide the clearance number to your volunteer organisation
Most volunteer organisations will guide you through this process and some may even assist with the application. The check is typically valid for 3-5 years depending on your state.
Apply by State
Each Australian state and territory has its own WWCC system with different names and processes:
- New South Wales: Working with Children Check - Apply at service.nsw.gov.au
- Victoria: Working with Children Check - Apply at workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
- Queensland: Blue Card (Working with Children Check) - Apply at bluecard.qld.gov.au
- Western Australia: Working with Children Check - Apply at workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au
- South Australia: Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) Screening - Apply at screening.sa.gov.au
- Tasmania: Registration to Work with Vulnerable People - Apply at justice.tas.gov.au
- ACT: Working with Vulnerable People Check - Apply at accesscanberra.act.gov.au
- Northern Territory: Ochre Card (Working with Children Clearance) - forms.pfes.nt.gov.au
Volunteer Certificates and Service Recognition
What is a Volunteer Certificate or Statement of Service?
A volunteer certificate or statement of service is an official document issued by charities and volunteer organisations to recognise and verify your volunteer contributions. This formal recognition serves as proof of your volunteer experience and can be valuable for job applications, university admissions, visa applications, and professional development purposes.
What information does a volunteer certificate include?
A comprehensive volunteer certificate typically contains:
- Organisation name and official letterhead
- Your full name and volunteer role/position
- Start and end dates of your volunteer service
- Total hours completed or duration of service
- Description of duties and responsibilities undertaken
- Skills developed or training completed during volunteering
- Supervisor's signature and contact details
- Official stamp or seal of the organisation
How to request your volunteer certificate
To obtain your volunteer certificate, you'll need to complete your agreed volunteer commitment and then contact your volunteer coordinator or supervisor to request the documentation.
Most organisations will ask you to provide specific details about your service period, including exact dates, roles undertaken, and total hours completed if this information isn't already recorded in their systems.
The process typically takes 1–2 weeks for processing, during which the organisation will prepare the official document with all necessary details and signatures.
Once ready, review the certificate carefully to ensure all information is accurate before the final issuance, as corrections can be time-consuming once the document is finalised.
Benefits of volunteer certificates
Volunteer certificates serve as valuable professional credentials that can enhance various aspects of your career and personal development. These official documents provide tangible proof of your community commitment and skills gained through volunteer work.
- Employment applications: Demonstrate commitment, reliability, and relevant experience
- University and course applications: Show community engagement and practical experience
- Visa applications: Provide evidence of community contribution and integration
- Professional development: Document skills gained and experience acquired
- Personal portfolio: Build a comprehensive record of your volunteer journey
- Future volunteering: Show commitment and experience to new organisations