Volunteering for young people
Volunteering is a great way to gain new skills, make a difference in your community, and meet like-minded people. If you’re under 18 and looking for opportunities to get involved, there are plenty of ways to contribute! Many organisations welcome younger volunteers, offering roles in areas like animal care, environmental conservation, event support, and community services.
Volunteering can also be a valuable experience for future job applications or university entry, helping you develop teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to make a long-term commitment, there’s an opportunity for you!
Finding volunteer opportunities
Finding a volunteering role that suits your age and interests is easier than you think! Here are some ways to get started:
- Use online volunteer search platforms: Websites like GoVolunteer and SEEK Volunteer allow you to search for opportunities in your local area. Use the ‘Suitable for younger volunteers (under 18)’ filter to find roles specifically open to young people.
- Reach out to local organisations: Many community groups, charities, and not-for-profits welcome young volunteers. If you have a particular cause you’re passionate about, consider contacting organisations directly to ask about opportunities.
- Check with your school or local council: Schools often have volunteering programs, and many councils run youth initiatives where you can get involved in community projects.
- Join youth programs: Some organisations run special volunteering programs designed for young people, offering structured experiences with training and support.
Below are some organisations that may offer volunteer opportunities for young people:
Australian Red Cross is proud to have young people taking action on humanitarian issues and creating change for the future. Volunteer roles for youth can include visiting older people in the community, gardening, or sorting clothing donations.
Clean Up Australia works with communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment. Clean Up Australia Day happens every March, but there are other events throughout the year. You can get involved in Every Day Clean Up, Great Spring Clean and other community events.
Conservation Volunteers Australia manages projects together with regional councils, national parks, museums, bushfire recovery and other conservation groups. You can work on different types of conservation projects, including tree planting, fencing, weed control, track maintenance, and flora and fauna surveys.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) is a volunteer firefighting and emergency services organisation. If you’re aged 11 to 15, you can join the Junior Volunteers program, which includes firefighting drills, first aid training, community service and other activities.
FReeZA is a Victorian Government program that gives young people aged 12-25 the chance to be involved with live music, dance parties and other artistic events. You can get involved with a FReeZA committee and help organise events in your local area.
St John Ambulance provides medical and first aid services at events. If you’re 12 to 17, you can join as a youth member to complete first aid training and assist at events.
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria (Vinnies) provides support and assistance to people in need, through sales of goods in Vinnies Shops across the state. Vinnies Victoria welcomes volunteers of all ages, including those under 18 with parental or guardian consent.
SYN is a Melbourne based community radio station providing media broadcasting and training opportunities to young people. Each year, SYN supports youth members (aged 12-25) to produce the radio, TV and online media that matters to them.
Toy Libraries Australia supports community toy libraries across the country, which lend a range of quality toys for ages 0-8 that encourage play and develop children’s skills and imagination. Toy libraries welcome volunteers across a range of ages.
Disclaimer: Volunteering Victoria is not associated with any specific volunteer roles listed or linked to on this page. We recommend that young volunteers and their guardians review each opportunity carefully and contact the organisation directly for details about requirements, supervision, and safety measures.
National Student Volunteer Week
Held in August, National Student Volunteer Week (NSVW) acknowledges and celebrates student volunteers and promotes volunteering to students and young people across Australia.
Every year, the state peak bodies across Australia recruit Student Advocates to lead the promotion and celebration of National Student Volunteer Week at secondary and tertiary education institutions.
If you’re passionate about encouraging fellow students to get involved in volunteering, you can apply to be a Student Advocate and establish yourself as a leader on campus!
Benefits:
- Receive a free t-shirt, posters and more to take over NSVW on your campus.
- Any reasonable expenses you may incur will be reimbursed.
- Receive a reference on completion to add to your resume.
- Your profile would appear on the nswv.au website as a specially appointed NSVW Student Advocate.
Change starts with action and we want motivated people from all backgrounds to champion and celebrate student volunteering.
If you are a currently enrolled student aged 16+ passionate about making a difference in the world, and want to amplify your impact, see the nsvw.au website to see if applications are open.
