Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to support their local community, gain skills and experience, and meet like-minded people.
We have many volunteer opportunities to suit different types of experience, skills and commitment.
As a volunteer, you can assist with a range of services and programs. You’ll enrich the lives of the many people throughout our community (and enhance your own life too).
Submit an expression of interest
Volunteer opportunities
AccessCare (community support)
Delivering meals
Deliver hearty, nutritionally balanced meals to those who need it most. Volunteers use their own car and receive reimbursement for kilometres travelled.
Example hours: Meals are delivered each weekday morning with volunteers assisting either one shift per week, or as needed depending on availability. Each shift is for 1 to 2 hours.
Community activities and day trips
Take a ride in the Community Bus, alongside an AccessCare bus driver, to assist passengers on social outings, lunches and day trips.
Example hours: Volunteers assist on average once a fortnight or month for around 4 to 6 hours each time.
Spending time with older community members
Support good mental health by aiding lonely and isolated older community members, so they have meaningful social contact with other people. Through AccessCare’s Social Links service, clients are matched with a dedicated volunteer, and then supported to spend quality time together doing a social activity of the client’s choosing.
Example hours: Volunteers assist for around 1 to 2 hours each week or fortnight, with schedules flexible to accommodate both client and volunteer availability.
Transport services
Help our senior or disabled community members remain in their own home as independently as possible by driving them to important appointments. Volunteers use their own car with kilometres travelled reimbursed.
Example hours: Most shifts are on average 2 hours long with volunteers assisting once a week or fortnight.
Activity hubs and community centres
We’re always looking for volunteers to assist us at Chelsea Activity Hub, Westall Community Hub, Clarinda Community Centre and Sundowner Community Centre.
You might find yourself running a conversation circle, arranging indoor bowls, bingo, exercise classes, card games or supporting our staff with activities.
Arts and culture
Volunteer roles may include support at gallery exhibition, ushering, administration support, and occasionally intern positions specific to publicity, visual arts or performing arts.
Opportunities are available across several areas of Kingston Arts, primarily based at three venues:
- Kingston Arts Centre (Moorabbin)
- Kingston City Hall (Moorabbin)
- Shirley Burke Theatre (Parkdale)
Environmental management
Friends Groups
Get back to nature. We have quite a few Friends Groups that help our rangers with planting and weeding in certain locations. Join others and learn about native plants and animals. Find your local Friends Group.
Annual Environmental Events
We run annual environmental events such as Clean up Australia Day in March and National Tree Day in July. Keep an eye on our events page for more on Annual Environmental Events.
Festivals and events
We put on major festivals and events each year, including Mordi Fest (March) and Carols by Kingston (December).
Join our energetic team to get behind the scenes in various roles:
- set up and pack down
- entry gates
- providing information to event-goers
- stage managing
- other back-of-house roles
Libraries
Share your love of books and film through our Home Library Service. Bring the library to our community through the delivery of books, films, magazines and more.
Volunteer information session
Are you interested in volunteering? Come along to an information session to learn more about volunteering in Kingston.
Our information session covers:
- definition of volunteering
- volunteer rights and responsibilities
- volunteering in Kingston
- what volunteer opportunities are available and where to find them
- network opportunities with community groups.
Information sessions are run quarterly, register your interest via email to volunteer@kingston.vic.gov.au.
What are the hours of volunteering?
The commitment varies depending on the opportunity, but most roles are within business hours.
What happens if you submit an expression of interest?
One of our staff will contact you and discuss which volunteer program best suits you. Then you’ll be contacted by someone from the volunteer program who will set up an interview with you and talk about next steps.
Will I get paid for volunteering?
No. Volunteers do not get paid. However, you are not expected to be out of pocket for any expenses incurred during your volunteer activities.
Why should I volunteer?
Volunteering has many benefits. Aside from making connections and helping those in need, many of our volunteers find the experience a good way to get the job they want.
Can you volunteer if you’re under 18?
People under the age of 18 can volunteer with parental or guardian consent. Programs may require the parent or guardian to supervise when undertaking tasks related to the role.
Is student placement a form of volunteering?
No. Student placement is compulsory. Volunteering means you contribute your time and energy for the good of the public, without expecting a financial reward.
Do you need a Police Check and Working with Children Check to be a volunteer? Who pays for these checks?
All City of Kingston volunteers require a current Working with Children Check, which is free. You may also require a police check if your volunteer role is: unsupervised, in direct contact with customers, delivering services to vulnerable people, or if you have a regular roster of volunteer work. These police checks are paid for and organised by Kingston.
What are Child Safe Standards?
We’re proud to be a child-safe organisation and are committed to ensuring no children are harmed by staff, volunteers or students – as required by Victorian Government's Child Safe Standards. For more information, view our Child Safe Standards.
Do you get any training?
Yes. All volunteers get some training and induction before starting their volunteer role. What’s more, ongoing training opportunities are available to all volunteers.
Still have questions?
Please contact our Volunteer Development Officer on 1300 653 356 or send an email to info@kingston.vic.gov.au.
Many community groups and organisations rely on volunteers to run programs and deliver services to the community.
Kingston Jobs is an online platform for local businesses, community groups, welfare organisations to list employment and volunteer opportunities. If you are a community group or a not-for-profit organisation, you can register for an account and list volunteering opportunities when they become available.
Contribute to a safer community
- Join or establish a community group such as a residents association
- Volunteer with an Emergency Service organisation or a support service
- Work with neighbours to improve safety in your street
- Participate in a graffiti clean-up activity. We can facilitate a Graffiti Community Clean-up Day for interested groups of residents, faith groups, community groups or students through local schools.