It’s National Volunteer Week 18-24 May, and this year’s theme is Your Year to Volunteer. Could this be the nudge you need to consider what giving your time could actually do for you and the people around you. Volunteering isn’t just something you do to fill a gap on a form. Done right, it’s one of the most practical ways to build experience, meet people who matter, and contribute something real to the world. And you can do it all while you’re still at school.
Volunteering for every year group
One of the most common misconceptions about volunteering is that you need to be in Year 11 or 12 before anyone will take you seriously. That’s not true. Students in an year can help out at school events, participate in school projects like welcoming new students or mentoring others, join local clean-up and tree planting days, or help out in community gardens. You might have to wait until your in Year 8 or 9 to be eligible to volunteer for roles like reading programs, animal shelters, and food banks. But if there’s something you are really passionate about, it’s worth checking in with the organisations to see what’s possible. Older students could take on more responsibility like coaching or refereeing for other students, helping at disability support organisations, assisting with aged care activities, or supporting local charities with administration and events.
There’s also a growing range of virtual volunteering options, which means location is rarely a barrier. For example, you could be transcribing historical documents, tutoring another student online, providing on-line tech support or companionships, or helping a non-profit manage their social media. If you’re unsure where to start, our volunteering page has plenty of ideas to get you thinking.
Why it’s good for you — and for others
The benefits of volunteering go both ways. For the people or organisations you’re helping, the impact can be direct and meaningful, an extra pair of hands at a food drive, time spent with someone who’s lonely, or support that helps a community program keep running.
For you, the personal benefits could be equally impactful. Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose and connection, which is particularly valuable during the sometimes unsettling years of secondary school. It can improve your confidence, reduce feelings of isolation, and give you a sense of perspective on your own circumstances. Many volunteers say that stepping outside their usual environment and seeing how other people live and work, changes how they think about their future.
The real life skills advantage
Employers and universities pay attention to volunteering experience because it demonstrates something a classroom often can’t; that you can show up consistently, work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances, and take responsibility for something that matters.
Think about what a single volunteering role could build:
- Communication skills as you’ll be speaking with supervisors, clients, or the public.
- Time management because you’re fitting it around school and other commitments.
- Problem-solving, when things don’t go to plan and you need to think of a solution there and then.
- Teamwork, most volunteering involves working alongside other people toward a shared goal.
- Job specific skills, depending on what volunteering position you end up with, there are unique skills you’ll develop specific to that type of role.
These aren’t soft extras. They’re the skills that come up again and again in job interviews, university applications, and performance reviews. If you choose a role connected to a field you’re considering like healthcare, environmental work, education, or events management — you’ll also gain industry exposure that’s tricky to get any other way at your age.
The people you meet can open doors
Volunteering puts you in contact with working adults outside your immediate circle. Coordinators, managers, specialists, and other volunteers who may have careers you’ve never even heard of. These connections could turn into references, mentors, or even pathways into work experience and employment down the track.
The manager of a community program you volunteered with who knows your work ethic, reliability, and attitude is a powerful foundation for a professional reference other than someone who only knows you from a classroom.
When you finish a volunteering role, don’t leave without asking if there’s someone who could act as a referee for future applications. A brief, polite conversation at the end of your placement, or even a follow-up email, is all it takes. Keep their contact details somewhere safe.
Practical steps to start
Ready to give volunteering a go? Here’s some tips on how to approach it:
Work out how much time you have realistically available each week or month, and what kind of environment you’d prefer — in-person or online, active or desk-based, working with people or behind the scenes. Then start searching for opportunities that match. Remember, if you can’t find exactly what you want locally, you can look for virtual opportunities further afield as well.
Our work experience and volunteering database lets you look for opportunities near you, which could be a good starting point. You could also approach local organisations directly, many charities, schools, hospitals, libraries, and community groups welcome volunteers and may not advertise roles publicly.
Note that some organisations have minimum age requirements or ask for a parent or guardian’s permission, so check the details before you apply.
Don’t forget to record it
Once you’ve completed some volunteering, add it to your résumé and, if you have one, your portfolio. List the organisation, your role, the dates, and a brief summary of what you did and what you learned. This turns your experience into something concrete that future employers or universities can read and understand. It’s also worth writing down anything notable like a great idea that was all yours, a time you went above and beyond, a problem you solved, or any other great example of you putting your skills to use. That’s gold heading into interviews and when you’re writing applications, and it’s the kind of thing you might not remember under pressure or down the track without a prompt.
Ask for a written reference while the experience is still fresh — most supervisors are happy to provide one. If they’re willing to be a named referee, even better. Keep a record of their name, title, organisation, and contact details so you’re ready when an application asks for them.
Find your volunteering opportunity
National Volunteer Week is a great prompt, but there’s never a wrong time to get started. Whether you’ve got a few hours a month or a whole weekend to spare, there will be a a role out there that fits.
If you still need some convincing, you can read more about the benefits of volunteering and ways to start on our website here.
