Volunteering

Donate your time and skills

While councils look after local infrastructure and services, at the heart of local government is the people. Community gives the work meaning and purpose.

More than 11,000 volunteers support local initiatives – and there’s always room for more. Welcome people at the visitor centre, plant a tree, mentor a young person or guide a walking tour – volunteer opportunities are wide-ranging and endless!

On this page:

• Volunteer opportunities
• Why volunteer?
• Become a volunteer
• Find volunteers for your organisation
• Opportunities for young people

Volunteer opportunities

Councils offer a huge selection of volunteer opportunities.

All ages are welcome. There'll be something that suits your skills, experience or passions, or you can volunteer to do something brand new! You might prefer a physically active role or something less sweaty – you might even be able to help out virtually.

Volunteering commitments can occupy several days a week to a few hours a month – councils might even need people for just an hour or 2 for one-off events.

There’s only one way to find out what might be right for you, and that’s to check your local council for opportunities.

Why volunteer?

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, everyone can make a difference by volunteering through council.

You can gain valuable experience at the community level and engage with local government from a different perspective. Just being out and about in the community will bring you into contact with a huge number and wide variety of people.

There are plenty of reasons why volunteering in council is a great idea! You can:

• contribute to your community
• connect with local people, causes and organisations
• produce a play, artwork or event
• explore more of your local area
• take a break from work or study
• make friends
• participate in festivals and events
• use your skills to improve your local area
• fill in the lonely hours
• welcome newcomers to the area
• learn new skills or reawaken old talents
• congratulate yourself on Volunteers Day and Volunteers Week
• access training, including First Aid and Traffic Marshalling courses
• broaden your horizons.

Become a volunteer

Councils need volunteers for their own programs, and they also promote local groups and organisations.

• Check your local council website, newsletter and community noticeboard for listings.
• Speak to your council’s Volunteer Coordinator or attend a volunteering information night.
• Try local networks, like Volunteer Connect in the Adelaide Hills or Southern Volunteering SA for the Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island and southern suburbs.
• Search for council-based opportunities through Volunteering SA & NT.

Find volunteers for your organisation

If you’re a not-for-profit organisation or community group whose activities benefit the local area, your local council may be able to help you find volunteers.

• Register your organisation or group with your local council.
• Add your events or meetings to the neighbourhood calendar.
• Promote your activities through the council newsletter, website or noticeboard.
• Join local networks, like Volunteer Connect in the Adelaide Hills or Southern Volunteering SA for the Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island and southern suburbs.
• Search for roles and organisations through Volunteering SA & NT.

Opportunities for young people

Schools and preschools are encouraged to connect with the Volunteer Coordinator at their local council.

School-aged students can participate in community service programs including environmental projects, social initiatives, events, festivals, arts and sport.

Young people might also be able to access volunteer-run support programs, including tutoring, mentoring and skill development.