How can i volunteer in brisbane

The amazing support of our generous 10, volunteers across Queensland who offer a few hours a week or even just once a month, give Queenslanders with a wide variety of support needs, the ultimate gift - the ability to live in their own homes where most are happiest and maintain a degree of independence and dignity.

While many retirees are active in our formidable volunteer family - and 'family' is what it becomes - the face of volunteering is as diverse as our clients. We have teenagers keen to do something for others, families who enjoy the focus of sharing a meaningful activity together, and business people who realise there is life outside the office. Helping enhance lives is what it's all about.

While on the surface, it may appear our clients are the ones who gain most from the service, it is clear from volunteer feedback that they gain a great deal of satisfaction from their involvement. Volunteers may fill many roles from being drivers, delivering meals into people's homes or assisting in community kitchens.

These roles are perfect for people who have a few hours in the mornings to early afternoon on weekdays. Others may be able to provide office skills, helping set up databases, writing newsletters or preparing promotional flyers for events. The possibilities are endless. No matter what an individual can offer, every bit of help adds up to a happier and healthier community.

The generosity of our volunteers, who give their time to help cook in the kitchens, drive the cars, and deliver the meals, means we are able to provide a vital service at an economical price. 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. Volunteering Queensland has listed all the positions our members have available on our website , and there are thousands of opportunities on offer.

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 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. There are also some great high profile organisations with programs specifically for under 18s:.

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. You can also contact the Department of Home Affairs 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 Home Affairs 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. Patron Patron of Volunteering Queensland. Ambassadors Volunteering Ambassadors.

Membership VQ Membership Members list. Volunteer services Find a volunteer role Advertise volunteer opportunities. State Library of Queensland volunteers participate in behind-the-scenes and front-of-house projects including historical document transcription and providing building tours for visitors. Community services Become a Justice of the Peace and act as an objective witness of official or legal documents. Volunteer with Homeless Connect , a one-day event linking homeless people with vital services.

Community First Development volunteers assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their communities by providing specific skills such as financial management, business development, IT and graphic design.

Australian Youth Mentoring Network links mentors with mentoring programs that work with young people. Community Visitors Scheme is a national program that provides companionship to socially isolated people living in aged care homes. Conservation Become a Volunteer for Parks to let your love of nature contribute to conserving our environment. Clean Up Australia Day to do your bit for the environment by cleaning up your local area with friends and family.

Roma Street Parkland volunteers play an important role in maintaining the beautiful park gardens to world class standards. Discover opportunities to help our threatened species including volunteer projects that include helping to care and rehabilitate injured and sick marine animals and wildlife, koala management and monitoring flying foxes. Become a conservation volunteer to help with environmental and wildlife conservation projects. Corporate volunteering Companies that engage in employee volunteering actively support and encourage their employees to volunteer their services to a local community organisation.

It is one way in which businesses can fulfil their social responsibility. Emergency volunteering Register with Volunteering Queensland's Emergency Volunteering CREW so you can be linked to organisations requiring volunteer support before and after disasters. Find out about opportunities to volunteer for state disaster response.

Health Volunteer with the Queensland Ambulance Service to support your local ambulance. Help out the community by volunteering with St John Ambulance community services.

Keeping the community safe Driver Reviver assists travellers to have a safe journey by providing them with refreshments at rest break sites. Volunteer with Neighbourhood Watch Queensland , an informal group that meets to identify and address local issues.