Before embarking on your volunteering journey, it is good to be aware of what to expect when applying for a role, be prepared for the application process, attend an interview and complete necessary checks. As a volunteer, you also have rights and responsibilities.
View our short video to hear more about what to expect when applying for a volunteer role:
When you apply for a volunteer role, you can expect the following:
- To complete an application form outlining your skills, interests and what you bring to the role. Applications are often done online but if this doesn’t suit you, ask if you can complete a printed application form.
- You may be asked to attend an interview to confirm when you are available to volunteer, discuss your skills, allows an opportunity for you to ask questions about the organisation and the role.
- To check your suitability for the role, the organisation might ask you to complete a police check (in most cases, the organisation will pay for the check, but ask first).
- For certain roles, you may need to have a Working with Children check. Information on how to apply for a check can be found on the Department of Justice website.
- You will need to provide contact details of a referee, this could be someone you have worked or volunteered with, or someone from an organisation, faith group or club you belong to. The purpose of the referee check is to check your identity, your character, your ability to carry out the role and to find out if there are any additional supports you might need to perform your role.
- Attend a volunteer induction or orientation which will outline the organisation’s purpose and values, policies and procedures that affect volunteers.
- You can expect to see a role description outlining the tasks for the role and some organisations will have a volunteer agreement.
- Once you have started in your volunteer role, you should expect suitable training and resources, supervision, reimbursement of ‘out of pocket’ expenses, appropriate policies and procedures that relate to volunteers.