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Volunteer overseas in community and social development initiatives

Name: Bright Labs
Price range: $

Share your skills to support locally led sustainable development.

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Two women smile directly into the camera. One stands and holds a package labelled 'hygiene pack' and the other sits on a stool while holding three brochures up. On the table beside them is a range of other collateral, including packages labelled 'Infant packs' and a range of brochures and leaflets.

The Australian Volunteers Program is an Australian Government-funded initiative that matches skilled Australians with partner organisations across the Pacific, Asia and Africa, supporting them to achieve locally led development goals.

Australian volunteers work with partner organisations on community and social development projects. If you’re interested in cross-cultural exchange, experiencing new opportunities and challenging yourself, learn more about how you can become an Australian volunteer. Assignments are suited to skilled volunteers who are willing to share their skills and knowledge, be flexible and adaptable, and contribute to build capacity in the local context.

Whether you're looking to volunteer in-country or remotely, check out our community and social development assignments and discover the right fit for you.

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Practical support so you can focus on your assignment

Volunteers receive an accommodation allowance and a living allowance for daily expenses like food and internet. We also cover flights, insurance and more.
We provide extensive support including 24/7 emergency assistance, psycho-social support, comprehensive travel insurance and on the ground support from our country teams.
We support volunteers' professional development, cultural awareness, and international connections with learning opportunities at all stages of the volunteer journey, including a comprehensive pre-departure briefing.

A community approach to ending HIV

Australian volunteer Beau Newham reflects on his experience at Yayasan Gaya Dewata, a community-based organisation in Bali, Indonesia working to end HIV, and to reduce stigma and improve support for those currently living with HIV.

Skills we're looking for

We’re looking for volunteers to support locally led community and social development projects in a range of organisations. A broad range of assignments are available in counselling and social work, policy and planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning, gender equity, program and project management, and more! Available assignments depend on the current priorities of our overseas partner organisations.

Help build the capacity of professionals working in the public and private sector. In addition to technical expertise, we look for volunteers with skills such as:

Adaptability and resilience
Cultural sensitivity
Relationship-building

If you think you have the right skills, experience and attitude, check out our latest community and social development assignments.

Find your perfect assignment

Our partners are always looking for skilled volunteers, and roles change regularly.

Explore our current assignments

Two women stand together, smiling into the camera. They are standing outside a fire station, with a fire truck in the background, and the woman on the right is wearing a fire services uniform.

How we support community and social development volunteers

Financial support

Find out about the allowances and reimbursements provided to volunteers.

Learn more

Safety & security

Understand how we support volunteers to remain safe and secure.

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Learning & development

Discover the learning and development support we provide to volunteers.

Learn more

Diversity and Inclusion

The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to ensuring that volunteers and partners can safely and equitably participate in the program, regardless of their identity. Volunteers are supported throughout their volunteer journey, and we actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds and abilities to volunteer.

Learn about our commitment to inclusion

Community development through sport in PNG

Anthony Healy, Australian volunteer Support Officer, reflects on his journey from teaching science and maths to volunteering at the AFL PNG Talent Academy.

Meet Anthony

Volunteer overseas in community and social development initiatives

The Australian Volunteers Program is an Australian Government-funded initiative that matches skilled Australians with partner organisations across the Pacific, Asia and Africa, supporting them to achieve locally led development goals.

Practical support so you can focus on your assignment