Volunteering in Ballarat is as diverse as all the organisations, programs and projects in the region. You may be interested in helping out for a day at a major event or regularly with a particular project or agency.
Volunteering in Ballarat
A volunteer freely offers their time and skills without the expectation of monetary reward, aside from reimbursement for personal expenses. Many members of ex-service groups, sporting clubs, and community organisations contribute by supporting fellow members or the broader community through activities such as welfare visits, meal service, and event organisation—all of which are considered volunteering.
Volunteering Ballarat supports organisations that rely on volunteers by facilitating the Volunteer Coordinators Network. This network provides advice, training, and collaborative meetings to strengthen volunteer programs. Membership is free and open to any organisation that manages volunteers.
Join the Volunteers Coordinators Network by emailing volunteer@ballaratfoundation.org.au.
Upcoming VCN Meeting Dates:
- 10th April at 2pm
- 17th June at 2pm
- 12th August at 2pm
- 16th October at 10am
- 9th December at 2pm
Upcoming Dates:
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Ballarat Volunteer Expo - Wednesday 21 May 10am to 2pm at St Pat's Cathedral Hall. This is a free event for all community organiser who use volunteers. Contact rae.godfrey@ballaratfoundation.org.au to book a space.
Ballarat Volunteer Morning Tea - Wednesday 21st May, 9:30 -11am at St Pat's Cathedral Hall. A free event to thank and recognise all Ballarat volunteers for their service. Contact rae.godfrey@ballaratfoundation.org.au to RSVP by Friday 16th May.
Ballarat's Harmony Fest - Ballarat's largest intercultural celebration, 17th March to 23rd March.
NAIDOC Week - 6th to 13th July
International Day of People with Disability - 3rd December 2025
Why volunteer?
Volunteering is crucial to a healthy and vibrant community. People volunteer for a variety of reasons, which may include to:
- Enjoy social interaction
- Get on the job training
- Increase confidence
- Meet new people
- Feel good about helping others
- Maintain and develop new skills
- Learn about a workplace
- Enjoy a new challenge
- Feel needed
- Learn new skills
How can I volunteer?
Volunteering comes in many forms and can be formal or informal, regular or irregular, on site or off site. Whether you have 1 hour or 10 hours spare a week to share your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm, there are a variety volunteer opportunities.
Volunteers should be provided with a volunteer position description when starting as a volunteer. This is a way of ensuring everyone understands the role being undertaken and the rights and responsibilities of the volunteer. Volunteers are generally required to undertake a National Police Check and a Working With Children Check prior to commencing their role.
Volunteer opportunities are advertised on GoVolunteer and volunteer.com.au. You can search opportunities by interest area and location and put in an expression of interest or you can register and create your own profile online.
Volunteering Opportunities
Find volunteer opportunities in the Volunteer Ballarat Booklet 2024. Click the image below to download a copy of our booklet detailing the local organisations with volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering Ballarat Booklet 2024
What is Volunteering Ballarat?
Volunteering Ballarat is the peak body for volunteering for the City of Ballarat, Moorabool Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Pyrenees Shire and Hepburn Shire. We are here as a resource to help the community to find volunteering opportunities and to help those groups and organisations seeking volunteers.
Should you have any questions, feel free to email volunteer@ballaratfoundation.org.au.
Volunteering Ballarat is supported by funding from Volunteering Victoria, the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
