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.
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. 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
As a Koala Care volunteer, you will play a critical role by providing care of wild koalas in our Koala Hospital and Wild Koala Breeding program.
Your duties will include cleaning and scrubbing their enclosures, ensuring fresh leaf and water, weighting scat, observing koala behaviour and feeding formula (when required).
This role is essential to the wellbeing of the wild koalas and the continued success of KCA vision and mission.
The koala care volunteer role is available 7 days per week, Monday to Sunday. For this role you will need a good level of fitness and stamina and the ability to work in all weather conditions for a full 4 hour shift. You’ll be on your feet for the majority of the shift and can expect to complete about 5,000-10,000 steps.
Retail Shop
As Retail Shop volunteer at KCA you play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional customer service, promoting and selling merchandise, and enhancing the visitor experience in our retail shops.
You will actively engage with guests, sharing knowledge about Koala Conservation Australia's mission, encouraging donations, and drive revenue through merchandise sales.
This role is essential in creating a memorable visitor experience and directly supporting the vital work of our organisation.
The retail shop volunteer role is available 7 days per week, Monday to Sunday. Please note this role has NO direct animal contact.
Visitor Guides
As a KCA Visitor Guide you will play a key role in educating the public
about Koala Conservation Australia’s vital conservation efforts and raising awareness of the challenges facing koalas. Through guided tours, presentations, and one-on-one interactions, this role informs and inspires visitors to act in supporting koala conservation.
This role not only enhances the visitor experience but also drives engagement by promoting donations, fostering a deeper connection between the public and the mission of Koala Conservation Australia.
The visitor guide volunteer role is available 7 days per week, Monday to Sunday. For this role you will need a good level of fitness and stamina and the ability to work in all weather conditions for a full 4 hour
shift. You’ll be on your feet for the majority of the shift and can
expect to complete about 5,000-10,000 steps.
Please note this role has NO direct animal contact.
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, Visitor Guide, 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 our online form 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 4 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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