More than 6 million Australians make a valuable difference by volunteering each year. They perform a wide range of tasks for many different organisations. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience or to be able to add skills to your resume. It's also a fantastic way to meet new people, make friends and try something new! Whether you volunteer here in Australia or overseas, you will feel like you are making a difference to the community and have a greater sense of purpose.
There are a few different ways to choose a volunteer role. You can choose an organisation or a cause that you want to help because they are close to your own heart. Or, you can choose a role based on your current skills you have to offer, or the skills you hope to gain. It is a good idea to think hard about your motives for volunteering as well as how much time you can commit and what you want to get out of it. There are short, long term and one off opportunities available so you can pick one that fits in with your life.
As a volunteer you will need to be briefed on the job at hand and possibly given some training. You might need to work in a team so it's really important that you can follow instructions and demonstrate great teamwork skills. You will need to be reliable and trustworthy as the work you are doing is likely to be important in making a positive difference to people, animals or the environment.