Australians volunteering overseas
If you want to volunteer overseas, there are plenty of volunteer and exchange programs to choose from.
Register for opportunities to volunteer for international organisations on the United Nations website.
Police checks for Australian volunteers abroad
If you're planning to do volunteer work while overseas, get a national police check from the Australian Federal Police before you leave Australia.
Overseas visitors volunteering in Australia
If you're an overseas visitor and you would like to do some volunteer work in Australia, contact the Department of Home Affairs to make sure your visa allows it.
You might be able to work as a volunteer while on a tourist visa if:
- your main purpose for visiting Australia is tourism
- the work involved would not otherwise be done by Australian resident for pay
- the work is genuinely voluntary and you get no pay.
Under a tourist visa you can get meals, accommodation and reimbursement of out-of-pocket living expenses in return for voluntary work.
Police checks for volunteers from overseas
There's no way to get a police check for volunteers from outside Australia. If you think you might take part in volunteer activities while in Australia, please plan ahead and get a police check from your country of origin.
Related information
On this site
How to search for volunteering opportunities
Other websites
Working holiday visa – Department of Home Affairs
