How do I become an Able Australia volunteer?
Becoming an Able volunteer is easy! Just contact Able Australia and we will send you out the volunteering application form and make a time to meet with you. We can be contacted by ringing 1300 225 369 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What does an Able Australia volunteer do?
At Able Australia you can volunteer in a range of different fields.

If you choose to volunteer with people with multiple disabilities you may like to volunteer at one of our day care centres where you would:

• Assist people with multiple disabilities with activities such as painting and craft, music therapy, gardening, cooking and accessing the sensory room
• Assist staff and clients with meal times
• Assist staff and clients with personal care
• Assist with group outings including supervising trips to the park, zoo, shopping centres, and café’s etc
• Assist staff and clients with programs such as massage therapy and physiotherapy.

You could also volunteer your time as a companion to a resident living in Able Australia supported accommodation housing located throughout the city. Your role as a companion may include:

• Regular visits
• Partaking in activities such as playing cards, cooking, gardening
• Social outings such as going to a café or the park
• Physical activity such as swimming or walking.

Volunteering with Deafblind people living independently in the community would require you to have some Auslan skills to make communication easier. Your role would include guiding and communicating in sign language and may include:

• Assisting with outings or events i.e. the Able recreation program which may include going to the movies, out to dinner, to deaf theatre or another event
• Assisting with exercises including walking or swimming
• Assisting with shopping
• Opening mail and relaying information
• Assisting with transport needs i.e. guiding to public transport locations or driving
• There are also volunteer positions available in our office including:
• Assisting with mail campaigns
• Data entry
• Office administration.

Your role as an Able Australia volunteer will vary depending upon your area of interest and the area you choose to volunteer in.

Is there training involved?
All volunteers will receive orientation training upon commencement of their volunteer placement. All volunteers are also offered free Auslan classes which are run during the week from our head office located in Camberwell, Victoria.

Will I be reimbursed for any money I spend as a volunteer?
As an Able Australia volunteer you have the right to claim back any expenses incurred on behalf of Able Australia.

These expenses may include travel costs or the cost of admission to a community facility i.e. swimming pool or social function. In most cases, however, volunteers are granted free entry to community facilities when assisting a person with a disability.

Will I be supervised?
Able Australia employs a full time volunteer coordinator who can be contacted at any time to assist you with your volunteering position. With most volunteering positions, however, you will work within a team where you will receive constant support from the team leader.

Do I need any special skills?
For some volunteering positions you may require Auslan skills. For other positions you do not require any specialised skills as you will receive training upon commencement of your placement. All we require is a positive attitude!

What rights do I have as a volunteer?
As an able volunteer you have the right:

• To be respected as a valued member of our team
• To be trained in the task being undertaken
• To be provided with a safe and secure working environment
• To have a contact / co-coordinator with whom you can discuss any issues in relation to your volunteer role
• To have grievances heard and addressed in an appropriate manner
• To be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses
• To have any personal information you have provided to Able Australia to be treated confidentially
• To be insured while undertaking volunteer work at Able Australia
• To say NO if you are unable to assist
• To be kept informed about the organisation and roles being undertaken.

What are my responsibilities as a volunteer?
As an Able volunteer your responsibilities are to:

• Treat any information you are exposed to with the utmost of confidentiality
• To be committed to undertake agreed tasks
• To undertake a police check prior to being admitted as a volunteer
• To report any issues of concern to your supervisor or to the volunteer coordinator
• To respect the rights of your co-workers (paid and unpaid)
• To inform your co-coordinator if you are unable to meet the requirements of the role
• To provide adequate notice of being unable to assist with pre-arranged tasks
• To undertake appropriate training to assist you with your voluntary role.