Volunteer with Us
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Help Us Make a Difference!
Life is short. Do stuff that matters! Join our wonderful group of over 200 passionate volunteers, and get on the front line of koala rescue, care and conservation.
join our team
Apply to be a Local Volunteer
We have a wide range of roles available at any given time. Meet new people and learn new skills, all while making a positive impact on koalas. It’s a win-win-win!
Volunteer placement is subject to available vacancies, and we take into consideration your area of interest, skills, experience, and availability.
Keen to get on board? You can go straight to our current vacancies on Seek.com, or, if you're unsure which role may suit, scroll down to check out the types of roles and FAQ's. You can apply to express your interest and we'll contact you if something suitable comes up!
VOLUNTEER PATHWAYs
Becoming a Koala Conservation Volunteer
We advertise all our current volunteer roles, and you can apply online via Seek.com.
If you're unsure which role may suit you, scroll down to see the types of roles we offer. You're welcome to complete a Volunteer Application Form (Expression of Interest). We'll then contact you if something suitable comes up.
After your application is reviewed, we'll conduct an informal interview to discuss the role and requirements and assess your suitability.
Essential requirements
To volunteer with us, you'll need to become a member of our organisation, Koala Conservation Australia (so we can provide the appropriate insurance), and provide evidence that your tetanus immunisation is current.
For more info, including other eligibility criteria, refer to the Volunteer FAQs below!
KCA's Work Placement Program
We offer a one-week work experience program relevant to people undertaking animal studies or wildlife carers. For more information, see here.
International Volunteer Program
Our International Volunteer Program provides invaluable experience to passionate wildlife students and carers over a month-long work placement block in Port Macquarie. For more information, see here.
Learn more about our Volunteer Roles
Koala Care
Caring for our koala patients is such a rewarding experience!
We have two daily shifts – 8:00am to 11:00am and 2:15pm to 4:30pm. The duties include preparing fresh leaf for feeding, cleaning the koala enclosures, feeding formula to when required, washing materials used in koala care and thoroughly cleaning all areas of the Koala Hospital. Please be aware that you won’t be able to touch or handle koalas (except where necessary for their care). Also, this is a very physical role and requires a good level of mobility and fitness.
Retail Shop
Our popular souvenir retail shop at the Koala Hospital is an important source of funding for our not-for-profit organisation.
We have two daily shifts – 8:00am to 12:30pm and 12:15pm to 4:15pm.
Our retail volunteers welcome and engage with visitors to the Hospital, handle ticketing, encourage sales, answer questions, provide customer service, keep the shop area clean and stocked and manage the takings of the shop.
Visitor Guides
Our Visitor Guides warmly welcome visitors and answer questions, and our Education Volunteers are our Tour Guides. It's a great opportunity to pass on your passion for wildlife conservation. We work together to create future generations of koala advocates!
Shifts are generally 8:30am to 12:15pm, and 12:15pm to 4pm.
Maintenance
Our maintenance team provides repairs and maintenance in and around Koala Conservation Australia properties and buildings.
Team members also build and maintain the koala enclosures, including the koala climbing structures and keep the grounds clean and well presented. They may also provide general repairs at our other sites including our plantations.
The work is generally carried out Monday to Fridays.
If you have carpentry, electrical or other trade or general maintenance skills we’d love to hear from you!
Plantation Volunteers
Koala Conservation Australia has two Koala food tree plantations. One is at Moripo, west of Wauchope and the larger one is on Maria River Road just north of Port Macquarie.
Volunteers with good physical fitness and some relevant experience are required for these roles.
The work includes watering, mowing, pruning and tending to eucalypt trees.
At appropriate times of the year volunteers will also be involved in planting Koala food trees - an absolute necessity to keep hungry koalas fed. It is best if you have your own transportation to reach the plantations.
Business Support
We also need volunteers to help with administration work.
This role includes data entry, telephone-based customer service, general administrative tasks or assisting with updating the wild koala adoptions database and preparing packages to meet orders.
Sometimes we also need skilled volunteers to work on specific projects, and assist with fundraising, marketing, or policy development.
If you have skills and experience that can assist Koala Conservation Australia promote and carry out its work, we would love to hear from you. All our current opportunities are advertised on Seek.com.
QUESTIONS?
Volunteering FAQ’s
What kinds of roles are available?
We have many volunteer roles, including Koala Care, Education, Tour Guiding, Retail, Business Support, Plantation & Gardening, and Maintenance. Check out this page's 'Types of Roles' section for more info. We advertise all our vacant positions on Seek.com, and you can apply directly through Seek if you see something you're interested in! Or, you can Express your Interest and we'll be in touch when something comes up that may be suitable.
Do I have to be local to volunteer?
For ongoing roles, you’ll need to be local! We have four main locations, all within 5-30 minutes’ drive from Port Macquarie’s Town Centre: - Koala Conservation Hospital Port Macquarie- Lord Street Port Macquarie - Koala Conservation Wild Breeding Guulabaa- Cowarra State Forest - Koala food tree plantation- Maria River Road - Koala food tree plantation- Moripo We also have International and National work placement blocks on offer throughout the year, based in Port Macquarie. See here for more information.
What hours will I need to work?
Volunteer placement is subject to available vacancies and takes into consideration your area of interest, skills, experience and availability. Volunteer shifts work on a rostered basis- with shifts up to 6 hours- so you’ll need to live locally and have availability.
Is there an age restriction?
Yes. Volunteers need to be between the ages of 18 - 90.
Is there a Work Experience Program?
Yes, we offer week-long work placements for those studying or working in wildlife care and conservation. We also offer month-long International Volunteer placements. See Resources/Professional Development for more info.
I’ve registered my interest via the online form. Now what?
We’ll get in touch as soon as we can! We’ll let you know about the roles and requirements and assess your suitability. If we don’t have a vacancy in your preferred area of work on the day(s) when you are available, we can keep your name on our waiting list in readiness for the next opportunity.
Are there any specific requirements all volunteers need to meet?
Before you begin volunteering with us, you'll need to sign up as a member of Koala Conservation Australia (for insurance purposes). There is a small fee and we will organise this with you before you start. You’ll also need to provide evidence that your tetanus vaccination is up to date.
What training will I receive?
You’ll receive training appropriate to the role, taking into account your existing knowledge, skills, and experience.
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