As a job seeker you can participate in work experience activities at any time—with the assistance of your Job Services Australia provider.
Your involvement in work experience activities can give you the opportunity to build on your existing job skills, learn new skills and improve your chances of finding a job. In particular, undertaking work experience can provide practical ways for you to connect with your community and to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers.
Voluntary work can help you gain skills and experience, while at the same time helping an approved not-for-profit community organisation.
Key benefits of participating in voluntary work activities in the community sector
Voluntary work may provide you with opportunities to:
- gain skills which will directly improve your employment prospects;
- develop or enhance your ability to work as part of a team;
- be guided by a supervisor and work independently, communicate effectively and improve motivation and dependability;
- help vulnerable people in the community, such as the elderly or people with disability; and
- become actively involved in, and contribute to, the benefit of the community.
You can participate in any one of a broad range of not-for-profit organisations available for voluntary work activities. These can include:
- voluntary emergency services (such as rural fire brigades and state emergency services)
- groups or organisations helping vulnerable people in the community, such as the elderly or people with disability
- schools and school tuck shops
- migrant resource centres
- community organisations
- community action groups for the environment (such as Landcare, Waterwatch and endangered species groups)
- wildlife rescue services
- amateur not-for-profit sporting groups, and
- other opportunities that benefit the community.
Who can participate in voluntary work activities
If you are a job seeker registered with a Job Services Australia provider, you can participate in voluntary work at any time. If you and your Job Services Australia provider agree it will benefit you, it may form part of your Employment Pathway Plan.
If you are a job seeker who has a work experience activity requirement, you can meet this requirement by participating in voluntary work.
If you are a job seeker required to complete an Intensive Activity, you can do this through participating in voluntary work. Your Job Services Australia provider will advise you if you are required to complete an Intensive Activity.
How to become involved
If you are interested in voluntary work activities you should discuss your interest with a Job Services Australia provider.
You may also want to consider other work experience activities that may be available to you.
More information
For more information on voluntary work activities you can contact your local Job Services Australia provider.
The voluntary work factsheet is available on the Resources page.