Hello, mate! Australia is huge. (Like, THIS big.) We did you a favor and narrowed down the absolute best places to volunteer in Australia! From the beautiful architecture of the Opera House to the sands of Bondi Beach, Australia has it all. It is the largest country in Oceania, and attracts over nine million tourists per year. This may be due to its unique wildlife species such as kangaroos, wombats, and koalas. Or perhaps tourists just can’t wait to discover the colorful coral reef system!

Volunteer in Australia and you’ll get to say hello to these guys!

Australia is home to the world’s largest barrier reef system in the world. This amazing marine ecosystem can be seen from space, and is a popular destination for marine biologists and scuba divers alike. What better place in the world could there possibly be to gain your PADI certification and put your new dive skills towards a good cause? When you do volunteer programs in Australia, you’ll discover all the magic this country has to offer.

How do I choose where to volunteer in Australia?

The outback is an attractive part of Australia. Wild kangaroos jumping around and koalas in trees have drawn the attention of tourists and animal lovers alike. A rewarding way to enjoy these amazing, unique wildlife species is to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary that is working for their conservation. New South Wales is a popular destination for volunteers looking to spend their days with jumping roos and adorable koalas.

The bustling downtown area of Sydney is a “must” for anyone’s Australian bucket list. From checking out the Opera House to discovering new cuisine, there are endless ways to find yourself getting lost in this city. If the coastal, calm harborside is what you crave, don’t miss Port Stephens! This coastal area is beautiful, and being in New South Wales is filled with various opportunities to volunteer for wildlife conservation. 

International volunteers can immerse themselves into the outback life to help conserve the various animals that are unique and indigenous to Australia. Community aid volunteers will find opportunities to assist those living in poverty in the main cities of Sydney and Melbourne. 

How’s it sounding so far? Discover more about the top destination to volunteer in Australia below!

Top places to volunteer in Australia for foreigners

1. Cairns/Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is a city in the tropical Far North Queensland, and is most well-known for being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef! This city is ideal for travelers and volunteers, as it has a metropolitan vibe, as well as beautiful views, beaches, and even a rainforest. The most popular form of volunteering in this location is, of course, marine conservation. 

Dedicate your time to life underwater when you volunteer abroad in Australia!

What better chance to learn about marine conservation than in the largest coral reef system in the world? The Great Barrier Reef is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands and is home to more than 30 types of whales and dolphins, 1,500 fish species, and much more.

Climate change is the #1 threat to this amazing, underwater ecosystem, and a top reason to volunteer in Australia. The warming waters are causing coral bleaching, which in turn leaves the coral unprotected and prone to disease. Dead corals are unable to house other marine species, and so the entire life that relies on this system is at risk. It is vital to measure the rate at which corals are bleaching in order to understand the current threat to the marine species of this reef system. That’s where your help comes in!

2. Port Stephens

Port Stephens is another stunning destination along the water, complete with 26 beaches. This area attracts surfers, sandboarders, and those in search of wild koalas! Port Stephens has the largest population of koalas in the southern part of New South Wales, which makes it an ideal location for a wildlife conservation program when you volunteer in Australia. There was recently a discussion on several news outlets about koalas becoming “functionally extinct” in the wild. They are not yet at risk of extinction, but without a doubt are threatened by habitat loss. Volunteer abroad in Australia, and maybe save a koala or two.

3. Sydney

The home of some of Australia’s most well known attractions: Sydney.

Sydney is one of the most well-known areas of Australia. It is recognized by tourists as the home of the iconic Sydney Opera House; it’s also the capital of New South Wales, and the most densely populated city in Oceania. There are over 2 million Australians living in poverty, of which half are children. One out of every four pensioners are living in or close to poverty. Sydney, being such a densely populated city, is one place where there is certainly no shortage of opportunities to volunteer in Australia and help those in need. Homelessness in Sydney is at a high percentage, and there are many NGOs working to provide food and other necessities to homeless community members. They could surely use your help.

4. New South Wales

Australia is home to various species of unique wildlife, from the “‘roo” to koalas! New South Wales is no exception; this state is home to koalas, wombats, echidnas, and a wide array of other species. Unfortunately, many wildlife species are under threat due to deforestation. As a wildlife volunteer abroad in Australia, you can get up-close with these unique animals, and others. Wildlife volunteers will work with rescued species that are native to Australia, and care for them by preparing food and feeding them, as well as maintaining the sanctuaries where they live.

5. Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital city of the Australian state of Victoria. It is a modern city, with a wide array of art galleries, businesses, and culinary wonders. As with all big cities, with these expensive outlets and dining experiences also comes those living well below the poverty line. Melbourne is an excellent choice to volunteer in Australia and work with NGOs to help combat food insecurity and related issues that arise due to poverty. Since Melbourne is such a business-savvy area, opting for an internship that partners with NGOs is the perfect choice for gaining experience in an office setting while giving back.

6. Newcastle

Explore the coast of Newcastle while you volunteer abroad in Australia!

Newcastle is a harbor city in New South Wales. It is well-known for its coastal landscape, which makes it an ideal location for an environmental conservation volunteer program. If you volunteer in Australia around Port Stephens, you will be heavily involved in maintaining and restoring coastal ecosystems, from sand dunes to tide pools to the well-known Hunter River.

[Get Matched with 5 Volunteer Programs in Australia for FREE!]

Next steps to finding volunteer programs in Australia

Now that you have the inside scoop, know where many volunteers choose to spend their time, and know common causes that volunteers are working to eradicate, it's time to choose who you want to volunteer abroad with! Choosing a program isn't as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow these steps:

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where YOU should volunteer in Australia is paramount. Have a short list of locations that sound ideal for your goals and skills (i.e. if you don't have experience on the water, you might reconsider volunteering in the Great Barrier Reef). Don't let anything hold you back—choose a place that's right for you. 
• Pick your project. We outlined a few common causes that international volunteers support above. Do some reflection on what skills and knowledge you bring to the table, and which project would best benefit from your time and energy. 
• Choose from the best volunteer abroad programs in Australia. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and how the project's needs match your skills. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right volunteer program for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Be sure to raise a little extra money to donate to the organization that you'll be working with. Learning how to fund your volunteer abroad adventure is essential prior to your travels!
• Get prepared! Preparing to volunteer abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days until departure dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for. 

Where will you go volunteer in Australia as an expat?

Wherever you choose to volunteer, Australia will captivate you in ways you didn’t know were possible.

Does spending your volunteer days by the ocean appeal to you? Are the waves calling out for you? Great—you have two excellent options for volunteer in Australia destinations in Cairns and Newcastle. Now you need to decide whether you prefer to work on the serene, calm coast, or under the sea, discovering the beautiful, famous Great Barrier Reef! If getting your hands dirty to protect marine coastal systems is your dream, then Newcastle should be your next stop. If learning to scuba dive and studying fish species is on your bucket list, your dream destination is Cairns. 

Wildlife volunteers will not be disappointed with any destination. New South Wales, however, is a top tourist destination due to its large populations of indigenous wildlife species. It’s your decision whether you want to volunteer in Australia closer to the border of Sydney or further north. Either way, New South Wales is home to many wildlife sanctuaries that are in need of volunteers such as yourself!

Community aid volunteers should focus their search on large cities, where there is a larger percentage of community members living below the poverty line, so that help can be given to as many people as possible. Sydney and Melbourne are large cities, both of which have many NGOs in search of volunteers and helping hands. If you want to make your volunteer in Australia experience also a professional experience and learn about the inner workings of NGOs, Melbourne is a great fit.

Australia is a vast, diverse, and wonderful country. Like all places in the world, though, it does have its issues, which is where you come in. No matter if you're preparing food for the homeless or feeding wildlife, your time and effort will be greatly appreciated by the local communities when you volunteer abroad in Australia!

Explore ALL Volunteer Programs in Australia on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from GoEco, who has been named a Top Volunteer Abroad Organization of 2018 by GoAbroad, a Best Sustainable Tour Operator finalist by the Global Youth Travel Awards, and one of GoEco’s programs in Belize was named a finalist for Most Innovative New Volunteer Program of 2018 by GoAbroad.

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