On this page:
- Choosing a volunteer program
- Volunteering with children
- Before you go
- While you're away
- Where to go if you need help
Read this page along with our advice on living, working, or studying overseas.
Choosing a volunteer program
Volunteering overseas can be rewarding. It's an opportunity to:
- immerse yourself in a different culture
- meet and work with locals and like-minded travellers
- help a community in need.
To have the best experience, arrange your placement before you leave Australia. Do the research to ensure you:
- volunteer with a reputable and ethical organisation
- have the right skills for the placement
- can get the right visa.
Finding a placement on arrival is not possible in some countries.
Research the organisation you plan to work with.
- Are they registered in the country you're going to?
- Do they work within local and international environmental or child protection regulations?
- Do they operate for profit or not?
Speak to other volunteers about their experience working with and living in a community. Things to consider:
- Living and working conditions may be lower than what you're used to.
- You will have to adapt to the local culture and customs, even those you disagree with. Don't impose your own values on a local community.
- You may need language training if you'll be working with locals on a day-to-day basis.
Match your skills with what the community or project needs. Taking a short-term placement with no relevant skills may not be useful to the people you're trying to help.
The Australian Volunteers Program offers skilled placements in developing countries. Passing on your expertise will lead to long-term results for the community in need.
Volunteering with children
It's confronting to see children living in poverty when you travel overseas. But working directly with children may not be the best way to help.
Instead, consider donating to or working on projects that develop and strengthen local communities. This creates longer-term benefits for children living in poverty.
If you choose to volunteer with children, only do so if the organisation you volunteer with is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
Australian charities working overseas must comply with the ACNC's External Conduct Standards. These require charities to meet certain operational and ethical standards. Working with an ACNC-registered charity can give you some assurance that they have the welfare of children in mind.
Everyone must work to stop child exploitation and neglect. Always ensure your volunteering is contributing in an ethical and meaningful way.
Volunteering at orphanages
The Australian Government discourages short-term, unskilled volunteering in orphanages.
Some organisations that offer volunteer work in orphanages have taken children from adequate family care to profit from donations. There are also reports of organisations deliberately housing children in poor conditions to gain financial support from volunteers.
You may unknowingly enable child exploitation by working with these organisations.
Research any organisation thoroughly before you commit to anything. Carefully consider the risks. Think about the long-term impact you may have on children in need of stability, structure and care.
Find out if the organisation:
- has a Child Protection Policy
- asks volunteers to sign a Code of Conduct that includes guidance on the Child Protection Policy and procedures
- always puts the children's best interests first
- registers visitors on arrival and supervises them
does a background check and child protection screening on staff and volunteers
- is a signatory to the Australian Council of International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct.
Child sex offences
Under Australian law, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) can investigate and prosecute Australians who commit child sex offences overseas.
- The AFP has charged Australians under these laws.
If you have information about a possible crime, call:
- 131 237 in Australia
- +61 2 6131 5926 from overseas
- anonymously on 1800 333 000.
Read more about child sex offences.
Before you go
Learn about where you're going
Read the travel advice for the places you're going to, including transits. It will help you understand the:
- safety and security risks
- local laws and customs
- health issues
- visa, entry and exit rules.
Subscribe to travel advice updates to be updated if things change.
Find out about the local laws. Be aware that local laws and penalties apply to you. Even if they appear harsh by Australian standards.
Many cultures have more conservative standards of dress and behaviour than in Australia. Learn about the local culture and be respectful while you travel.
Get the right visa
Most tourist visas have strict limits on paid and unpaid work. This can include things like house and pet sitting and volunteering.
Get the right visa for everything you plan to do. Doing volunteer work on the wrong visa may be a crime in the country you're visiting. You could be fined, deported or arrested.
Check the rules and organise your visa well before you travel. Changing the visa you're on can be hard once you are in the country.
If you plan to leave and re-enter the country, ask about multiple-entry visas. Also, check if you need a visa for any country you transit through.
Contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country you're going to for visa information.
Read more about getting a foreign visa.
Get travel insurance
Travel insurance won't stop you from getting sick, being injured, or losing your valuables. But it can help you avoid financial hardship if things go wrong.
Choose the right coverage for you. Don't just choose the cheapest policy. Read the Product Disclosure Statement. Make sure it covers what you need.
The organisation you volunteer with may need you to have specific coverage. Check with them before you buy.
Read our advice about travel insurance. Also see the CHOICE travel insurance buying guide.
Get a health check
It is important to consider your physical and mental health before going overseas.
See your doctor 6 to 8 weeks before you go. Tell your doctor where you're going and what you're doing. Ask for advice on staying healthy.
- Find out which infectious diseases are common in your destination and how you can prevent them.
- Ask what vaccinations or boosters you need.
- If you have a pre-existing condition, ask if it's safe for you to travel. Travelling could put your health at risk as specialised care may be hard to find overseas.
- Find out if your medicines are legal where you're going. Make sure you take enough for your whole trip.
See our advice about staying healthy while you travel.
While you're away
Stay safe
Be vigilant about your safety and personal security when overseas. Know the risks you may face. Learn about protecting yourself from theft and assault, including sexual assault.
There is an ongoing high threat of kidnapping in a number of locations globally, including areas in:
- Africa
- Asia
- Central and South America.
Kidnappers have targeted foreign workers in the past, including volunteers. Learn about the risk of kidnapping.
Terrorism is a global risk. But the risk is higher in some countries. Read your destination's travel advice, as well as our advice about terrorism.
The Australian Government is limited in how it can help in some countries due to the security environment.
Keep in touch
Your friends and family back home will worry if they don't hear from you. Keep in touch with them so they know you're ok. Let them know if you'll be out of contact.
Keeping your family and friends informed will also help them give DFAT information if you need our help.
Where to get help overseas
If you need help, seek support locally first. You can also reach out to friends, family and your travel insurer.
- Contact local emergency services. We publish local contact numbers in the travel advisory for each destination.
- Talk to other volunteers. Also, help them if they need it. Look after your mates.
- Contact your friends and family. They can help you decide what to do next and offer emotional support.
- Contact your travel insurer. Most travel insurers have 24-hour emergency hotlines you can call from overseas. If you're covered, they may provide logistical and financial support.
In most cases, you must explore all other options before asking the Australian Government for help. To know how and when we may help, read the Consular Services Charter.
Read more
- See our general advice for living and working overseas
- Learn about how to stay healthy while you travel.
- See our advice on reducing the risk of sexual assault, muggings and scams.
- Choose the right travel insurance.
- Read the travel insurance buying guide.
- See our advice on what to do when things go wrong.
See also
- Read about the Australian Volunteers for International Development.