Volunteering with Aboriginal Organisations

There are many options for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to volunteer with organisations that play a part in helping to improve the education, health and employment prospects of Aboriginal people in NSW. 

Undertaking volunteer work can often help people to improve their chances of gaining paid work.  Volunteering helps people to build skills, develop knowledge and identify employment opportunities.

The NSW Government Website has volunteering opportunities within its employment section.  If you are interested click on the link above and search for opportunities within specific government departments.  For example, the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change advertises on this site for volunteers to work in the NSW National Parks system.  In many areas, NPWS and the local Aboriginal community work together, through a co-management arrangement, on a variety of initiatives.  The Federal Government employment website also lists opportunities to volunteer within Aboriginal communities on its Community Work page.

The NSW Department of Health also provides a range of programs which rely on the voluntary contributions of Aboriginal people. The winners of the 2008 Aboriginal Health Awards illustrate the diversity of these contributions – ranging from the ‘AUNTS’ program in Tamworth, which helps to strengthen families through building Aboriginal women’s capacity, to the men’s health program called ‘The Pit Stop’ which encourages Aboriginal men in outback NSW to have a health check. To find volunteering opportunities near you, go to the area health services map on the NSW Department of Health website, then click on your area health service website. Search for ’Aboriginal Health’. 

Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV)

ICV matches skilled volunteers with short-term projects in Indigenous communities.  The aim is to assist community development by providing volunteers who can transfer their skills to people in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.  ICV seeks a range of volunteers including those with business, IT, marketing, horticulture, communication, tourism and trade skills.  There is no cost for volunteers; the Foundation covers travel and a basic living allowance.  Visit the ICV Website for an information pack and application form or phone 1800 819 542.

Australian Volunteers International

Australian Volunteers International arranges medium to long-term volunteer placements in Indigenous Australia as well as overseas locations.  194 volunteers have been recruited since 1990, sharing a range of skills and learning about Indigenous culture through living in local communities. 

People have been recruited for a wide range of professions, including accountants, nurses, child care coordinators, teachers, doctors, administrators, plumbers, book keepers, mechanics, arts coordinators and council clerks.  See the Australian Volunteers International website to learn more or to apply.

Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation Australia is the independent, non-profit body established by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation to provide a continuing national focus for reconciliation after the Council ended its work.

Reconciliation Australia offers a number of ways for people to assist in reconciliation in areas such as marketing, IT and general administration.  Most are roles that can fit into a busy lifestyle.

A current list of volunteering needs is available on Reconciliation Australia's website.  Local reconciliation groups are a way to get involved in community education, publicity and other roles.  There are hundreds of local groups around the country.  If there is no group in your area, you can establish one.  For details contact Reconciliation Australia or your state reconciliation group through the link above.

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME)

AIME is an Indigenous Corporation and a non-profit charity that uses volunteers in a unique style of structured education mentoring to link university students in a one-on-one relationship with high school Indigenous students.  AIME’s objectives are to increase Year 10, Year 12 and university admission rates for all Indigenous Australian students who participate in the program.  Go to the AIME website for more information.

The Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc  is an Aboriginal community-based organisation made up of volunteer members who are involved in local and regional groups throughout NSW. The Group’s focus is on all communities having input into Aboriginal education at the local level in order to empower Aboriginal people and contribute to improving outcomes in Aboriginal education and training. Click on the link above for more information.

Tranby Aboriginal College, located in Glebe in Sydney, provides an alternative and independent learning environment for adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. An average of 130 students per year attend the college from all over Australia to develop the knowledge to empower both themselves and their communities. Tranby relies on volunteers for support and fundraising. Click on the link above and search for ‘Friends of Tranby ‘.

There are also opportunities for Aboriginal people to contribute to the governance of NSW through representing their regional community or local area. The NSW Aboriginal Land Council was established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW). It is a self funding statutory authority responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of the Aboriginal people of NSW. The State’s Land Council network operates as a two tiered structure, comprising the peak body, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and 121 Local Aboriginal Land Councils which are governed by elected Boards.

Every four years members of Local Aboriginal Land Councils vote for a Councillor to represent their region.

The Aboriginal Grants page on the NSW Community Builders website has a range of funding sources for Aboriginal community activities and programs. These grant programs are scheduled throughout the year so check the page regularly. 
 
There are over 100 Aboriginal Medical Services across Australia, quite a number of which are in rural and regional NSW.  These Aboriginal Medical Services work in partnership with the Commonwealth government and the NSW government to deliver health programs for Aboriginal people. Click on Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service to view the sorts of health activities that are offered by an Aboriginal Medical Service. Not all Aboriginal Medical Services have a website so check your local telephone directory or search the NSW Department of Health website to find a Service near you, go to the area health services map on the NSW Department of Health website.  Then click on your area health website.  Search for ‘Aboriginal Health’.

Case Study

In Tamworth Joblink Plus run a volunteer mentor scheme to help Aboriginal people who are their job network clients to get their license - to reduce this as a barrier to work.  Volunteers help 1-2 hours per week, and take people for informal driving lessons to help them get their 120 logbook hours up.  Through the program, Volunteers get formal qualifications in driver training and trainees already have a set standard of driving ability assessed through formal driving lessons before they are put on the program.

For more information - coordinator Marg Hombsch, Joblink Plus, 6764 6666

In Tamworth, Aboriginal community volunteers are working with high schools and the AECG to set up a role model/mentoring system where past school students who have achieved some success in any area come back to the school to work with and inspire current students.

More information - DET Aboriginal Consultant Cathy Waters-Trindall, 6755 5000

In Inverell, there are a lot of examples of Aboriginal community volunteers working through the community-run Linking Together Centre in South Inverell, a Dept of Housing estate and area of high Aboriginal population.  Activities from Breakfast Club, to Homework Centre, Mums and Bubs and many others community programs are run through the centre.

More information - Linking Together Centre Coordinator – Janette Baumann 6722 3444