Become a Volunteer

Join a movement of supporters and advocates who strengthen the ASRC, while creating positive change for people seeking asylum.

National Volunteer Week - Celebrating our volunteers

This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the hands, hearts and voices behind the ASRC—our incredible volunteers. From packing food parcels to providing legal advice, every act of service at the ASRC is a powerful gesture of compassion and solidarity. Our volunteers connect communities and create belonging for people seeking asylum—their generosity changes lives every day.

Why volunteer with the ASRC?

Volunteers are the very lifeblood of the ASRC. In becoming a volunteer, you are joining a movement of supporters and advocates who strengthen the organisation while creating positive change for people seeking asylum.

Volunteering your time, skills, and resources is one of the most powerful ways to make a real difference. You’ll make new friends, gain career and life experience and see the impact of your work on a daily basis.

We offer a diverse range of volunteer opportunities across all our programs, from working in our Foodbank or Education Program, to utilising your skills as a qualified legal or health professional. Each role requires a different set of skills, experience and availability. With so many options, you’re sure to find the perfect role for you.

Want to volunteer with us?

All currently open positions are advertised via the button below.

Application Process

1. Find a Role

We have multiple roles available to volunteer across the ASRC.

2. Send Application

Provide a CV and a cover letter telling us a bit about yourself.

3. Attend Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed and have references checked.

4. Complete Checks

Get a Police Check, Working with Children Check and complete online training.

5. Welcome Aboard!

We look forward to welcoming you on your first day.

Student Placements at the ASRC

We offer a limited number of student placement opportunities at the ASRC. All expressions of interest in student placement need to be made via this form. This form is to express interest in doing a student placement with ASRC, and is not an application or confirmation of a placement. Placement opportunities will depend entirely on staffing and needs of ASRC. Please note we only accept applications from students over 18 years of age.

We will share the details with programs at the ASRC. If a program is interested in taking you on as a student placement you will hear from that program and if successful the onboarding process will begin. If you have further questions about student placements at the ASRC please email volunteer@asrc.org.au

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a volunteer?

1. Submit an application for a role that suits your skills, experience and availability

2. If shortlisted, you’ll proceed to an interview

3. If successful, you’ll need to complete the online ASRC Volunteer Induction, sign the Volunteer Agreement and undergo both a Police Check and Working with Children check

4. Start volunteering!

What kind of volunteer roles are available?

The ASRC offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities across all of our programs. Whether you are a practicing lawyer or a registered nurse looking to share your specialist skills or someone who is looking to provide more generalised help with our administrative work or help out in our Foodbank – the opportunities to volunteer with the ASRC are diverse and always changing. Available roles are advertised on an ongoing basis so please keep checking back if something doesn’t suit now.

Do you run Corporate Volunteering?

We run Corporate Volunteering through our partnerships program.
Want to learn more about corporate Volunteering? Please visit: https://asrc.org.au/partner/

The History of Volunteering at the ASRC

An organisation built by volunteers

The strength and power of the ASRC is found in our people and volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation, without whom the ASRC would cease to exist.

In fact, the ASRC first began as a small food bank in 2001, run mostly by volunteers. As the needs of the people we support grew, so did the ASRC services and often it was volunteers who mobilised to meet the new demand. As Kon Karapanagiotidis explains, “… when someone would turn up without Medicare… we just needed to respond. I remember taking a student on placement and saying to them “You’re starting the first health service for people seeking asylum in Victoria, that’s your social work placement”. Two weeks later, it was up and running.

Each and every program at the ASRC relies on the skills and passion of a committed volunteer workforce. Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds adding richness of knowledge and providing experience that has expanded our services over the years. What has been so exceptional about our community is that people feel like they are being trusted to do good and what has stood out about our volunteers from day one is how hungry people are to help and make a difference.

Stories from our volunteers

Hootan's Story

Hootan

”I know first hand what it is like to be displaced and I want to help the way we were helped when we first arrived.”

Joan's Story

Joan

“One person would turn up out of the blue and say ‘I can teach English’ and so that’s how English classes came about. Then another volunteer came onboard who could cook, so then we had the community foods program. The local community just showed up and provided.”

Aheda's Story

Aheda

“When you volunteer, it’s obviously not for money. We do it for the feeling that it leaves in your heart. I feel good about myself too when I can help others.”

Ready to join the team?