GET INVOLVED

Volunteering opportunities with the Refugee Council of Australia

The Refugee Council of Australia is not currently seeking any specific volunteer/internship roles, however, please do check back from time to time. Any general queries can be sent to admin@refugeecouncil.org.au.

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:

Asylum Seekers Centre (Surry Hills)
ASC provides support for asylum seekers living in the community. Please contact them if you are interested in volunteering. Based in Central Sydney. » For further information visit their 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 they 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 their website

Anglicare Sydney
For further information visit their website.

Australian Afghan Hassanain Youth Association
AAHYA provide a range of services for young refugees with Afghan/Hazara backgrounds including a Saturday school, group outings, information sessions (eg on health, driving in Australia, etc), advocacy and other services as needed by the community. They are looking for a volunteer to help with funding applications, letter writing and various other general administration tasks. Times can be flexible but you would need to be able to give two to three hours per week, hopefully more. Much of the work could be completed from your home. For more information contact Karimi Gulbahar on 0421 567 397 or visit www.aahya.org.au (Posted 11 May)

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 their 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's 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 their 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 the 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. See here for more information. Email vcu@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. Please contact the SPARK Volunteer Officer on 9568 0280 or send an e-mail to spark@vinnies.org.au

Sudanese Settlement Program - Equatoria Community and Welfare Association (Western Sydney)
ECWA provides settlement services for Sudanese communities living in Western Sydney. They are looking for volunteers to assist with basic administration work and data entry. For more information, please call Uling Kang (Sudanese Settlement Coordinator) on 9671 1637 or 0412 794 619.

Sydney Community College - Refugee Mentoring Program
The Refugee Mentoring Program is a free service aimed at assisting and preparing refugees who may or may not possess recognised professional qualifications, for their entry into the Australian workforce. Mentoring requirements for refugees may be wide ranging; from the need for industry specific knowledge to receiving more general support to establish a career plan, develop strategies to reach their goals, write resumes and prepare for interviews. We are seeking volunteers who are willing to share their experience and knowledge, come from a variety of professions and interests to enable refugees in the process of integration and to find their place in our multi cultural community. Mentors need to have good communication and interpersonal skills and a commitment to cultural diversity. Free mentor training will be provided. For more information click here to see their flyer or contact Ruby Madan on (02) 8752 7533, 0419 49 66 50, or ruby.madan@scc.nsw.edu.au. To register as a mentor, go to their website to complete the online form.

Sydney Multicultural Community Services
Volunteer mentors are needed for a new tenancy assistance program covering the City of Sydney and Eastern Suburbs areas. This program will bring together local volunteers as mentors for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who are finding difficulty securing appropriate and affordable housing in the private rental market. Interested community members can contact Yasmine Loupis on (02) 9663 3922 or csss1@sydneymcs.org.au for further details.

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 who are former Temporary Protection Visa holders and their families, 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 volunteer@romerocentre.org.au, (07) 3846 3250 or visit their website.

In VIC:

Recently added: Volunteer Tutors for Homework Support Programs
The South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre is currently seeking Volunteer Tutors for its Homework Support Programs. Can you spare 3 hours a week to help young refugees with their studies? If so, then share your skills and become a Volunteer Tutor. We are looking for people who can assist refugee and migrant students with maths, humanities, English, science and other homework, have experience working well with young people, have great communication skills and are passionate about supporting migrants and refugees. You can volunteer in Dandenong or in Hampton Park, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday anytime between 3:30pm to 6pm. For more information, please contact Spencer Haines on (03) 9706 8933 or spencerh@sermrc.org.au.

Recently added: Mentoring Youth for Leadership - start April 2009
Mentors and mentees needed
Multifaith Multicultural Youth Mentoring is a new initiative that aims to foster dialogue between decision makers in the Victorian community and young people from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds. The program will run from April to December 2009 in the CBD. The first stage is a nine week program, involving weekly, two-hour workshops with 20–25 young people meeting with 6–8 mentors. For more information contact Anna Hutchens at the Centre for Multicultural Youth on (03) 9340 3700 or 0448 623 006 or ahutchens@cmy.net.au.

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 (South 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 their website.

Fitzroy Learning Centre (Fitzroy)
Co-ordinates volunteertutors 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 their 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 their 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. See their 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 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.