Volunteer opportunities in Brisbane and the Gold Coast offer an outlet for backpackers to pursue favorite interests, gain valuable work experience, learn about and enjoy the culture, all while supporting the local community. Have fun while helping to serve, build friendships, and increase awareness on important social and personal issues by directly giving of your time and talents. Volunteering in Queensland will help you build confidence while supporting your favorite cause and the community.
Here is a list of many volunteer positions available while backpacking in Australia.
1. Aged Care Volunteer
Spend time sharing friendly conversation with an older adult living in a residential care facility at Anglicare Southern Queensland or other older adult care facilities. Often times, the residents receive very few visitors, but would love to spend time with someone just talking, playing cards, working on a favorite hobby, or just to converse while enjoying the recreational areas of the facility or the outdoors. Anglicare Southern Queensland and Queensland Community Care Network are some of the agencies for older adults that offer opportunities volunteering with the aged population.
Anglicare Southern Queensland
Address: 439 Ann St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Phone: 1300 610 610
Website: https://anglicaresq.org.au/volunteers/
Queensland Community Care Network
Address: 385 Sherwood Rd, Rocklea,Queensland, Australia 4106
Phone: 07 3040 0287
Website: http://qccn.org.au/qccn-volunteers/
2. Animal Shelter
Do you want to play and cuddle new furry friends? Animal shelters need volunteers to attend to dogs and cats, as well as small animals. Bathers and groomers are also needed, to make the animals look their best before they meet their new families. Help with the front or back office, or with donation duties. Veterinarians on staff often need assistance with the animals’ health needs, and individuals are also needed to transport dogs to animal shelters. Animal Rescue QLD INC. and AWLQ are seeking volunteers.
Animal Rescue QLD INC.
Postal Address: Po Box 3298, Bracken Ridge QLD 4017
Website: http://www.animalrescueqld.org.au/volunteering/
Animal Welfare League QLD
Website: http://www.awlqld.com.au
3. Homeless
Provide volunteer work in Gold Coast by offering emotional support, beverages and snacks, referrals for health or addiction care, and crisis intervention to the homeless population, or provide essential services to individuals such as laundry service. Agencies actively working with the homeless population include Drug ARM Australasia and Orange Sky Australia.
Drug ARM Australasia
Address: 30/3-15 Jackman St, Southport QLD 4215
Phone: (07) 3620 8870
Website: http://www.hoa.drugarm.com.au/volunteer
Orange Sky Australia
Website:http://www.orangeskylaundry.com.au/get_involved
4. RSPCA Volunteer
The RSPCA of Queensland needs volunteers willing to assist in the shop where proceeds benefit the animals, by assisting customers with purchases and donations. Help is also need for regular RSPCA fundraising events.
RSPCA Queensland
RSPCA Brisbane
Address: 139 Wacol Station Rd, Wacol Qld 4076
Phone number: 07 3426 9999
RSPCA Gold Coast
Address: 2172 Gold Coast Highway, Miami 4220
Phone number: 07 5575 6146
Website: https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/volunteer/
5. Christmas Day
Help serve meals, package food and toy baskets, or deliver gift items and non-perishables this Christmas by serving underprivileged individuals and families with your volunteer work in Brisbane. During Christmas, the Salvation Army, Wesley Mission Queensland, and Brisbane Basket Brigade are in need of individuals and groups willing to serve at this special time of year.
Address: 97 School Street, SPRING HILL QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3222 6666
Website: https://salvos.org.au/christmas/give-back-this-christmas/volunteer/
Wesley Mission Queensland
Address: 316 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Phone: 07 3216 1579
https://www.wmq.org.au/get-involved/volunteering-opportunities
Brisbane Basket Brigade
Website: https://www.brisbanebasketbrigade.com/
6. Orphans
If you love children and want to spend time playing and building a friendship with a child facing challenges without their birth parents, volunteer with a foster child. Become a role model, encourage, play, and maybe teach a skill or develop a hobby with a child that needs you. Discover a volunteer opportunity with Pajama Angel.
7. Environmental Volunteering
Do you do your best work outdoors? Help with plantings, maintaining trails, collecting litter, and improve habitats at Conservation Australia or on the beach at the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management.
8. Library Volunteer
Ready to learn about the history and culture of Queensland? Help with documentation preservation, guide tours, and assist with special exhibits while volunteering at the State Library of Queensland. If you enjoy helping with library events, the Logan Hyperdome Library always needs an extra set of hands before and after events. The Logan Street Library also utilizes volunteers to sort materials or to read to patrons, through Wesley Mission Queensland, which serves the underprivileged.
9. Farm Volunteer
Assist local rural families with the harvest, general farm duties, and odd jobs on their farms with the Wide Bay Volunteer Resource Association or Churches of Christ in Queensland. If you want to survey animals, particularly koalas, learn to identify plants, and help in re-vegetation on farmland, contact the Conservation Volunteers Australia group.
10. Event Volunteering
Non-profits serving the underprivileged, elderly, children, animals, and the environment all need help with fundraising events. Find the cause that you are passionate about and look for their next event. Help set up or clean up for the event, assist with advertising, get donations, or send out invitations. Do you have a special talent? Offer your time during the event. JDRF Australia hosts the One Walk, Epilepsy Queensland hosts a raffle, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland hosts the MS Moonlight Walk and is in need of photographers.
Find your passion and help serve the community at the same time by volunteering in Queensland. Opportunities are available for backpackers of every skill level and for every area of interest. You will gain experience, meet new people, and have the opportunity to serve. Contact your favorite organization from our list to line up your next volunteer opportunity during your time in Queensland.