“Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.”

A great way to get some experience in a new field is by volunteering or completing work experience with a company or organisation. It can help you develop skills in an area of interest and help you determine whether a certain job or career pathway is for you. Volunteering can be a one-off, short or long term. Think about a cause you are passionate about or a skill you want to share as a starting point in deciding if volunteering is for you.

What are the benefits?

• Hands on experience – can assist you in your chosen career
• Networking – meet people in your chosen industry
• Employability skills – some employers consider volunteer work as valuable as paid work
• New perspective – may assist you in making decisions for your future
• Mutually beneficial exchange – you are not only helping others, you’re also helping yourself!

How do I find a volunteer position?

To find volunteering opportunities in your local area, visit:

• Volunteering SA/NT
• Northern Volunteering (SA)
• Southern Volunteering (SA)
• SeekVolunteer
• GoVolunteer
• Australian Volunteers International
• Anglicare

You can also contact local community organisations such as:

• Community Centres • Aged Care Facilities • Schools • Public Libraries • Disability Support Agencies • Youth Groups • Council Offices • Sports Clubs • Animal Welfare Groups

Would you like more information? Check out the WeDo App.

The WeDo App is the first volunteering App of its kind in the world – making it easy to find volunteer positions in South Australia – anywhere, anytime. WeDo connects volunteers to organisations. By creating a profile, volunteers can be notified of positions matched to their skills and interests. Volunteers can find positions on the go, express interest and apply directly with organisations, log and print a record of volunteer hours, gain points and redeem rewards.

If you’re unsure whether volunteering is right for you, you can talk to Student Services at TAFE SA.

Student Services staff provide career information, guidance and education through self-help and online tools, as well as face-to-face and telephone support, available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Phone 1800 882 661, visit your nearest campus to make an appointment or look at career information.