GET INVOLVED

Volunteering opportunities with other organisations

There are also a number of organisations working with and for refugees and asylum seekers in Australia, some of which are listed below. If you would like to volunteer your time or resources please contact them directly for more information.

Australia-wide | NSW | Queensland | Victoria | South Australia | ACT | WA

Australia-wide:

Australian Red Cross
» For further information visit the website.

Together for Humanity Foundation
» Together for Humanity Foundation conducts programmes in schools which breakdown religious and cultural misconceptions and encourage children to focus on our common values and humanity. We are looking for dynamic volunteers and presenters who are great with kids, and have a passion for inter-faith/cultural work, to be part of this non profit, nationally acclaimed organisation. For more infomation visit the website or contact Donna Jacobs Sife at donnajacobsife@optusnet.com.au

In NSW:

Anglicare Sydney
» For further information visit the website.

Asylum Seekers Centre (Surry Hills)
ASC provides support for asylum seekers living in the community. Please contact them if you teach IT or English as a second language and would be interested in volunteering. Based in Central Sydney. » For further information visit the website.

ALIV (Volunteers at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre)
ALIV was a program originally started by the United Nations Association to try and improve life for the children inside immigration detention centres. The program has four main projects: to take kids out on camps every school holidays; to take kids out on excursions every fortnight; to run a kids room inside the detention centers modeled after starlight rooms currently inside our hospitals and to take families out on family days.
The program is expanding very quickly and we now need many more caring fun volunteers to help us help these precious kids. ALIV is currently expanding their adults program for detainees and need volunteers willing to make a minimum committment of four hours a month. For further details visit the website

Bridge for Asylum Seekers Foundation (Sydney)
The Bridge for Asylum Seekers Foundation (BASF) was officially launched on 11th June 2003 by a broad coalition of churches, human rights groups, unions, political representatives, and individuals. The Foundation seeks donations to financially assist asylum seekers on Bridging Visa Es or released under Habeas Corpus orders and who have no adequate means of survival. Every month, BASF provides supplementary living assistance to over 100 individuals and families to enable them to survive. We are always looking for volunteers to assist us in varied roles such as administration, web/database maintenance, refugee support and fundraising. For further details please contact 9712 7784 or visit the website.

Community Relations Commission
The Community Relations Commission is calling for volunteers to be part of a new initiative to assist Police and the Department of Juvenile Justice when dealing with young offenders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
For more information download CRC media release.

Friends of STARTTS (Western Sydney)
Friends of STARTTS (FOS) supports the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Survivors so they can provide counselling, physiotherapy, camps for children and youth and many other programs for refugees. FOS is currently expanding and is looking for people willing to get involved in fund and awareness raising events while also having some fun. At the moment FOS is organising an awards night and refugee art exhibition. FOS also has volunteers that teach English, help out at youth camps and drive buses. Telephone 02 9794 1900 or visit the website.

House of Welcome (Western Sydney)
The House of Welcome Project was established by the NSW Ecumenical Council to assist Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) holders to make the transition into the community. The Project has extended to supporting people released from detention on Bridging Visa E's and Habeus Corpus orders who have no means of support. Asylum seekers are assisted to settle in the community, find accommodation, look for work and can also attend English and Computer classes. Based at Carramar. Contact Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 9727 9290 or email.

Mission Australia - Volunteer to support refugees and humanitarian entrants
Mission Australia are currently recruiting volunteers to assist newly arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants settle comfortably and happily into a new life in Australia.
email elhassanh@missionaustralia.com.au

St Vincent de Paul Society-NSW Migrant and Refugee Services
The St Vincent de Paul Society is making a call for volunteers to help activate a vital new progam called SPARK. St Vincent de Paul Society Assisting Refugee Kids (SPARK) seeks to provide curriculum, social and cultural support to newly arrive refugee children and their families through primary schools. Vinnies is looking for interested volunteers who can spare approximately 1.5 hours a week for a school term. Contact: Clare Thompson on (02) 9568 0280 or email clare.thompson@vinnies.org.au

TPV Legal Working Group (Sydney)
If you are a registered migration agent or a lawyer who would like to assistant refugees with a Temporary Protection Visa make their second application for protection on a pro bono basis. » Please contact Parastou Hatami at the Refugee Advice and Casework Service.

Triumphant! International (Sydney)
Is the organisation behind Australia's first-ever Refugee Short Film Festival. Our vision is to open a safe space that empowers refugees to be proud of who they are as individuals and as valuable members of Australian society. We aim to achieve this through a number of projects such as the refugee film festival, refugee film workshops and education projects. Triumphant! International is searching for volunteers with a passion for making positive social change through existing and future projects.
Please visit our website or contact Jose Argueta on 0421 048 161.

In Qld:

Brisbane City Council
Brisbane City Council has a number of activities to support refugees and is seeking volunteers to help. » For more information, call 07 3403 4119.

Romero Community Centre
This project provides casework, community development and support to refugees with a Temporary Protection Visa living in Brisbane. The project operates under the auspices of Brisbane Sisters of Mercy. A range of volunteer skills are sought. » For more information email or phone 07 3393 2500.

In VIC:

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (West Melbourne)
The Centre provides legal assistance, material and food aid and also incorporates Melbourne's first health clinic for Medicare ineligible asylum seekers. Initial general training is provided for volunteers and more specific training occurs at regular intervals. » For more information email, phone 03 9326 6066 or visit the website.

Asylum Seekers Assistance Project (Sth East Melbourne)
This Project runs a food bank and aims to provide material aid to asylum seekers in the South East region of Melbourne. This project is run entirely by volunteers. » For more information email or phone 03 9547 1129.

Ecumenical Migration Centre (Fitzroy)
» For more information, visit the website.

Fitzroy Learning Centre (Fitzroy)
Co-ordinates volunteer tutors in English and organises other recreational and vocational activities for refugees, working particularly with people with Temporary Protection Visas. » For more information email them direct or phone 03 9417 2897 or visit the website.

Spare Rooms for Refugees
Links people with spare rooms with asylum seekers.» If you are able to offer temporary accommodation to asylum seekers in the community please call (03) 9225 6731 or visit the website.

Springvale Community Aid & Advice Bureau (Springvale)
» Email for more information.

Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning Program (SAIL)
Provides ESL tutoring and support to newly arrived Sudanese refugees in Melbourne. No qualifications necessary, just enthusiasm and commitment. Based in Footscray. » Website.

AMES Volunteer Program
Through the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Scheme (IHSS), AMES and a consortium of partners assist newly arrived humanitarian entrants successfully settle in Victoria. IHSS clients are supported by case coordinators. Volunteers provide additional practical settlement support and English tutoring. Volunteers offer a couple of hours, once a week, usually during the day. Training is provided.
For more information email volunteer@ames.net.au or visit http://www.ames.net.au/volunteer

In SA:

Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia
Has opportunities for volunteers who wish to provide support to newly arrived refugees.» Phone (08) 8217 9500 for more information

Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service (STTARS)
STTARS offers opportunities for people to befriend newly arrived refugees who have experienced torture or trauma. Qualified massage therapists are also in high demand.
» Contact Chris Rose, Volunteer Programme Coordinator, Phone 08 8346 5433.

In ACT:

Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office
» For more information visit the website

In WA:

CASE for Refugees Inc.
CASE is a non-profit community legal centre which aims to provide legal assistance to refugees, predominantly Temporary Protection Visa holders making their second application for protection or with Family Reunion applications. For further details about how to get involved and the types of jobs available please email admin@caseforrefugees.org.au or call the office on (08) 9227 7311.

ASeTTS
Based in Perth, AseTTS has a volunteer program for people interested in supporting survivors of torture and refugee trauma. Qualified psychotherapists, social workers and health workers are in particular demand.» Tel: (08) 9325 6272.