About volunteering in aged care

What aged care volunteers do

Aged care volunteers can provide several supports to older people to improve their quality of life. Every volunteering opportunity is different. Volunteers may spend time with older people doing a variety of activities. This can include chatting, assistance with leisure activities, transport, gardening or meal delivery.

Time commitments vary between roles; for as little as one hour a fortnight you can make a positive impact in the lives of older people in your community.

Aged care providers will work with you to choose a role that suits you best.

Volunteering is also rewarding to volunteers. You can meet new people, share your skills and knowledge and give back to the community.

Volunteers can provide support to older people in the following settings:

• residential aged care homes
• respite care
• the Home Care Package (HCP) Program
• the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Some aged care providers allow virtual volunteering.

There is a difference between formal and informal volunteering.

Formal volunteering

Formal volunteering in aged care is time freely given:

• for the common good
• without financial gain
• in organisations (including institutions and agencies).

Informal volunteering

Informal volunteers include:

• carers of a family member or friend
• people doing a favour for an aged care resident.

While this page is about formal volunteering roles, informal volunteers can find information at the Department of Social Services Carer Gateway, including skills courses, tips and information and support packages.

Why volunteers are important

Volunteers are an essential part of the aged care system. They can help older people from diverse backgrounds, life experiences and cultures to:

• live meaningful lives
• have a sense of belonging and purpose
• build social connections
• remain living at home
• reduce social isolation and loneliness
• connect with community
• feel accepted and safe in their environment
• improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Your contributions will be highly valued by older people to provide connection, conversation, listening and help to improve their quality of life. You will also benefit by:

• meeting new people
• having a sense of purpose
• improved self-esteem and confidence
• learning new skills and gaining training
• keeping active mentally and physically
• having a positive impact on others
• feeling part of a community.

Who can volunteer

You don’t require any specialist qualifications or prior experience to volunteer. Your unique background, perspective and willingness to help others will be valued.

Eligibility and requirements

Each aged care provider has specific requirements for aged care volunteers. You will need to check these requirements with the individual provider.

Typically, volunteers need to:

• receive a National Police Check or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check
  • The NDIS Worker Screening Check will only be required if a volunteer is in a risk assessed role where the provider is a registered NDIS provider. The NDIS Commission provides more information on the requirements of the NDIS check.
  • If you already hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening clearance, you will not need an additional police check completed prior to volunteering in an aged care setting.
  • The Department has issued Worker Screening Guidelines, which provides more detailed information and includes volunteers.
• provide evidence of their recent flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination history.

Individual aged care providers will determine the minimum age requirements for volunteers.

Volunteers are expected to abide by:

• the Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code). You should always act in a way that is respectful kind, and consistent with the behaviours set out in the Code.
• privacy and confidentiality responsibilities in line with the Aged Care Act 1997 and privacy laws.
• the rights and responsibilities in the volunteer role description agreed to between a volunteer and the organisation they volunteer with.

You don’t need prior experience in aged care, either professionally or personally. If you are worried about a lack of experience with older people, check out the various resources by EveryAGE Counts to bust some myths or go to our volunteers stories to hear what volunteering in aged care is really like.

Share your story about volunteering in aged care

Do you have a story about being a volunteer in aged care, managing volunteers in aged care or using innovations to improve volunteer engagement that you can share?

We want to hear about:

• the experiences of volunteers and Volunteer Managers
• the importance of volunteers in aged care
• your use of innovations to overcome challenges or barriers.

We may share these stories on our website and social media platform.

If you have a story for us, please fill out the appropriate forms below, as well as the standard media consent form:

• Form for Aged Care Volunteers
• Form for Aged Care Volunteer Managers or Providers
• Form for Volunteering Innovations
• Standard Media Consent Form.

Stories can be emailed to agedcarevolunteer@health.gov.au

More information

• Download frequently asked questions for potential aged care volunteers.
• Read a summary of the 2023 Volunteers in Aged Care Survey results.
• Learn more about volunteering generally, including the National Strategy for Volunteering 2023-2033 and the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement at Volunteering Australia.

Contact