Volunteer

Our volunteers run and support a range of services including:

• administrative support at our offices 
• Emergency Relief intake 
• English conversation classes for newly-arrived refugees
• academic support and encouragement for disadvantaged adults enrolled in our Clemente program
• event help and organisation
• sewing group
• homework clubs 
• pastoral support in prisons and hospitals

We are very grateful for the many wonderful people who give their time, skills and experience to help us respond to an ever-increasing demand for our services.

By volunteering, they contribute to making our community a better place and provide hope for a brighter future.

Current volunteering opportunities

• Volunteer Support Worker - Peplow House (Ballarat) NEW
• English Language Support Volunteer (Geelong)
  
• Volunteer Tutors (Geelong)
• Administration Support Worker Volunteer
• Clemente Volunteer
• English Teacher, Settlement Support Volunteer (Dandenong & Epping)
• Emergency Relief Volunteer (East Melbourne)
• Interpreter, Afghan Women's Sewing & Social Group Volunteer (Dandenong)
• Prison Ministry Volunteers
• Volunteer NILS Program Assistant

Volunteer Support Worker - Peplow House:

Peplow House provides short-term crisis accommodation for single men aged 18 years and over who are experiencing homelessness.

Support is also provided to help individuals access longer term accommodation, and address issues impacting their opportunities to secure suitable accommodation.

Key duties to be undertaken by the volunteer:

• Driving clients to-and-from occasional appointments or community events
• Engaging positively and sensitively with residents
• Answering phone
• Assisting with the general running of the household
• Occasionally attending group recreational activities with staff and residents e.g. cinema, wildlife parks, sports events, etc.
• Safeguarding the residents' right to privacy and confidentiality i.e. not sharing names or details of any residents with anyone else, including other residents.

Requirements: 

• Volunteers will need a driver’s license, but will utilize the fleet car for transporting residents.
• No experience or qualification required. A good candidate would be someone who is respectful, empathetic, warm but will maintain the privacy and confidentiality of Peplow House residents.

Location: Ballarat

Time required: 1-2 days a week, Monday - Thursday

ENQUIRE NOW!
Contact: Jaclyn Fraser | Volunteer Administrator
E jaclyn.fraser@catholiccarevic.org.au

Learn more about Peplow House

English Language Support Volunteer - more information:

CatholicCare Victoria’s Job Readiness Program provides information sessions and practical support to assist refugees to prepare for, find, and retain employment under equitable working conditions. This includes helping young people to develop communication skills through reading, conversing and playing games.

We are looking for volunteers who can offer their time, once a week or fortnightly on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

• Open to volunteers of all ages, genders and cultural backgrounds, no experience or qualifications required. 
• Volunteers will always be supervised by CCV staff

Key skills include:

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to assist refugee young people with patience and kindness

Location: Geelong 

Time required: 9.30am - 11.30am

ENQUIRE NOW!
Contact: Jaclyn Fraser | Volunteer Administrator
E jaclyn.fraser@catholiccarevic.org.au

Learn more about our Job Readiness Program

Volunteer Tutor - more information:

CatholicCare Victoria’s Settle Well program supports refugee youth and mothers in Geelong to settle well and thrive in their new community. Our school-based service provides counselling, employment and education help, opportunities for community participation, and other essential supports for refugees.

We are looking for Volunteer Tutors to assist newly arrived refugee students at Northern Bay College in Years 11 and 12, to support and improve their study in the following subjects:

• General Maths
• English
• Biology
• Legal Studies
• Business Management

You’ll be supporting students from refugee, non-English speaking backgrounds. As a tutor, you will assist students to engage with their homework and learning activities.

Training sessions will be provided to tutors about the school curriculum and how to work effectively with students who have English as a second language.

Key skills include:

• Good interpersonal skills
• Cross cultural communication
• Able to assist refugee students in homework tutoring
• Social & language development
• Knowledge of the topic of study is important.

Location: VCE Centre, Northern Bay College – Goldsworthy Road Campus, 3/25 Goldsworthy Rd, Corio VIC 3214

Time required: Thursdays (3:15-4:30pm) during school terms in 2024, commencing as early as possible.

Commencing: Immediate start

ENQUIRE NOW!
Contact: Jaclyn Fraser | Volunteer Administrator
E jaclyn.fraser@catholiccarevic.org.au

Download the volunteer opportunityLearn more about Settle Well

English Teacher, Settlement Support Volunteer - more information:

CatholicCare Victoria’s Refugee Settlement Program equips refugee and humanitarian entrants with the social and life skills necessary for successful integration and settlement in Australia. These people are often vulnerable and may have mental health issues, be unemployed, have language barriers and be socially isolated.

The English Class aims to provide participants with instruction, support and basic knowledge in conversational English. CatholicCare Victoria will provide a supportive and safe environment for the group, enabling each participant to build their confidence in speaking English while providing opportunities to form and build social connections. The skills learned in the classes may lead to, or assist participants with future employment opportunities. It will assist participants with their English communication and comprehension skills.

Any discussions that lead to the discovery of additional support needed by the community, will be followed up by the Program Coordinator.

Key duties include:

• Lead a group of women learning conversational English
• Enable participants to feel welcome, included and supported during the sessions
• Facilitate meaningful and informative discussions
• Communicating information with enthusiasm, clarity and patience
• Encouraging participants to form social connections with others in the group and practice their English conversation skills
• Follow confidentiality and workplace safety protocols at all times
• Observe the progress of participants and provide assistance as required
• Liaise with the Settlement Support Worker and advise on program developments or requirements, and promptly report on any concerns

Location: Dandenong 

Time required: Thursdays, 10am - 12pm 

Commencing: As soon as possible

ENQUIRE NOW!
Contact: Jaclyn Fraser | E jaclyn.fraser@catholiccarevic.org.au

Download the volunteer opportunityLearn more: English Conversation Program

Interpreter, Afghan Women's Sewing & Social Group Volunteer - more information:

CatholicCare Victoria’s Refugee Settlement Program equips refugee and humanitarian entrants with the social and life skills necessary for successful integration and settlement in Australia. These people are often vulnerable and may have mental health issues, be unemployed, have language barriers and be socially isolated.

The Refugee Sewing Class aims to provide participants with instruction, support and basic knowledge in the art of sewing. CatholicCare will provide a supportive and safe environment for the group, enabling each participant to build their confidence in basic sewing skills while providing opportunities to form and build social connections. The sewing skills learned in the classes may lead to, or assist participants with future employment opportunities. It will assist participants with their English communication and comprehension skills, with the volunteer facilitator providing instructions verbally and also patterns with written instructions

Any discussions that lead to the discovery of additional support needed by the community, will be followed up by the Program Coordinator.

This volunteer must have the ability to interpret the Dari language and communicate with participants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have limited English skills.

Key duties include:

• Interpreting for the participants and teacher to enable participants to feel welcome, included and supported during the sessions
• Facilitate meaningful and informative discussions
• Communicating information with enthusiasm, clarity and patience
• Encouraging participants to form social connections with others in the group and practice their English conversation skills
• Follow confidentiality and workplace safety protocols at all times
• Observe the progress of participants and provide assistance as required
• Liaise with the Settlement Support Worker and advise on program developments or requirements, and promptly report on any concerns

Location: Dandenong

Time required: Thursdays 12pm to 2pm weekly

Commencing: As soon as possible

ENQUIRE NOW!
Contact: Jaclyn Fraser | E jaclyn.fraser@catholiccarevic.org.au

Download the volunteer opportunityLearn more about the Women's group

Administration Support Worker Volunteer - more information:

We are searching for reliable and enthusiastic volunteers to assist with data collection and entry work in the Victorian Family Law Pathways Network.

The volunteer’s responsibilities will include updating service entries on our iRefer Vic application by calling services, requesting information and entering that information into an excel document. iRefer Vic is a database of 1,000+ family law support services for clients in need of assistance. 

Key duties include:

• Contact service providers for information on their programs
• Maintenance of service records on our database

Skills / qualifications required:

• Customer service focus
• Experience in Administration preferred but not essential
• Demonstrated ability to maintain respectful relationships.

Location: CatholicCare Victoria East Melbourne office

Time required: Flexible and negotiable hours, weekdays between 9am – 4pm

Submit Enquiry 

Learn more about the program 

Clemente Volunteer Learning Partner - more information:

Clemente is a community-based university program which offers free and supported Humanities education to those who experience disadvantage and marginalisation.

The Clemente Fitzroy program (ACU in partnership with CatholicCare Victoria) provides a pathway into increased personal agency and social integration, as well as the opportunity to engage with study, realise possibilities, and achieve their potential.

The Learning Partner will be matched with an adult student to provide tutoring support, direction and encouragement at weekly sessions. The volunteer role is to help the student in making their own decisions, to grow in confidence in relying on their own responses and to become an increasingly independent learner. 

This is a rewarding opportunity to volunteer at ACU! People with degree qualifications or equivalent are required to help tutor and support adult students. 

Essential criteria for Volunteer Learning Partners:

• Able to work productively as part of a team
• Have an understanding of how learning occurs best, for themselves and others
• Have the ability to develop a rapport with students from a variety of backgrounds
• Skills in encouraging personal development in others
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including listening non-judgementally
• Ability to maintain privacy, confidentiality and trust

Location: Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy Melbourne

Time required: 1.5 hours weekly on Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Submit Enquiry 

Learn more about the program 

Emergency Relief Volunteer - more information:

People accessing Emergency Relief typically have a low or no income. Others need support as a result of an unforeseen or life changing event such as illness, loss of employment, family breakdown or family violence. Emergency Relief provides immediate financial and/or material assistance to people in financial crisis.

The Volunteer Emergency Relief Intake Assessor will provide assistance including initial interviews/assessments and distribution of ER assistance (e.g. food vouchers, food, pharmacy assistance, petrol); referrals to other services; advocacy; and provision of information to support the client to receive extended assistance. 

Multiple roles are available. These roles may involve challenging conversations with vulnerable people, and skills in compassionate care, listening, and conflict resolution will be valued.

Training will be provided.

Key duties include:

• Conducting client service intake
• Interviewing clients (via telephone)
• Data entry
• Maintenance of client records
• Providing Emergency Relief within guidelines and program resources
• Advocating for clients as needed and providing information on other support services

Skills / qualifications required:

• Relevant community work experience preferred but not essential
• Demonstrated experience working within the community services sector, advantage if you obtain or currently completing tertiary level qualifications in social welfare or related field
• IT skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, Windows operating environment, and data entry skill
• Ability to work both autonomously and within a team environment
• Developed interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Customer service focus
• Multitasking and problem solving
• Experience with client management systems will be advantageous
• Always upholding client confidentiality and privacy

Locations: East Melbourne (on site at our CatholicCare Victoria office)

Time required: Flexible & negotiable hours - weekdays between 9am-3pm

Commencing: As early as practicable

ENQUIRE NOW!
Contact:
Jaclyn Fraser | Volunteer Administrator
E jaclyn.fraser@catholiccarevic.org.au

Learn more about Emergency Relief

Prison Ministry Volunteers - more information:

We are looking for volunteers who are good listeners, who have an understanding of people and an appreciation of the challenges of our lives, and who are wanting to make a positive difference to the lives of residents living in prisons.

We support you as a valued volunteer by offering:

• Training before you commence as a volunteer
• Ongoing support though our chaplain, who will be with you on your visits, in the prison.

Locations & time required:

• Laverton on Tuesday Mornings
• Ararat on Thursdays
• Deer Park on Thursdays
• Langi Kal Kal / Beaufort on Fridays

Commencing: As early as practicable

Submit Enquiry 

Hear from a Prison Ministry volunteer 

Volunteer NILS Program Assistant - more information:

The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) provides small no-interest loans up to $1,500 for people in need of essential items/services such as new household items, medical equipment/services, tools, or educational items.

The Volunteer NILS Program Assistant will work alongside the CatholicCare Victoria NILS Worker to support individuals and families on low incomes, to address their current financial needs with a focus on minimising financial stress.

This position will assist with the assessment of applications for NILS, in consultation with the CatholicCare Victoria NILS Worker and clients to ensure their eligibility and ability to meet the loan requirements. Training will be provided.

Key duties include:

• Conducting client service intakes
• Interviewing clients (via telephone)
• Maintenance of client records
• Financial tasks

Skills / qualifications required:

• Community work experience and/or tertiary qualifications in social welfare, community development or another relevant discipline
• Well-developed IT skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, Windows operating environment, and data entry skill
• Ability to work both autonomously and within a team environment
• Developed interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Experience working within NILS, finance or the community services sector is an advantage

Locations: Ballarat, Mildura, or Melbourne (can work remotely)

Time required: Flexible & negotiable hours - weekdays between 9am-4pm

Commencing: As early as practicable

ENQUIRE NOW!
Contact: Jaclyn Fraser | E jaclyn.fraser@catholiccarevic.org.au

Download the volunteer opportunity Learn more about NILS 

Volunteer with us

To register for a volunteering position or if you’re interested in volunteering with us, please submit an enquiry below.

If you’ve been selected for a volunteering position with us, we will ask you to:

1. Complete an Expression of Interest form

2. Read and sign a Confidentiality Agreement and Volunteer Declaration

3. Undergo a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check (paid by CatholicCare Victoria).

Volunteering enquiry form

First Name

Last Name

Phone number

Email *

How would you like to help?

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