What is aged care volunteering?
Aged care volunteers give their time to support older people. They do not get paid.
Formal volunteers register with an aged care provider (provider) or community organisation.
Volunteers are defined as aged care workers under the Aged Care Act 2024 if they help deliver funded aged care services on behalf of a provider.
Volunteers support older people by:
- spending time together through conversation, games, reading, arts and craft
- helping with group activities, outings, social events, exercise or walking groups
- supporting meal delivery or morning tea activities
- helping with transport to appointments, shops or social activities
- helping with gardening, shopping, library services or technology support
- providing language, cultural, spiritual or pastoral support
- assisting with hobbies, community activities or virtual activities.
Volunteers support older people in:
- residential aged care homes
- respite care
- the Support at Home program
- support under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
If you give up your time to support someone informally, visit Carer Gateway for information, training and support.
Benefits of aged care volunteering
Aged care volunteers help protect older people’s rights, safety, dignity and wellbeing. Volunteers must:
- treat older people with dignity, respect and kindness
- respect older people’s rights, choices and preferences
- follow the Aged Care Code of Conduct and Statement of Rights
- protect privacy and confidentiality
- tell the right person if you have concerns about safety, wellbeing or care.
Volunteers support older people’s wellbeing and independence. They do this by helping to:
- reduce loneliness and social isolation
- build social and community connection
- feel included and respected
- meet new people
- feel part of a community
- learn new skills.
Who can volunteer?
People from all backgrounds and life experiences can volunteer. You do not need aged care experience or qualifications to volunteer.
What matters most is that you want to support older people safely and respectfully.
Checks and training before you start
The first step is to find aged care volunteer opportunities that interest you.
Your provider or Volunteer Manager will support you to understand your role, responsibilities and boundaries. They must also explain the Aged Care Code of Conduct and the Statement of Rights and what these mean for you.
Typically, volunteers need some checks and training before they can start:
- a National Police Check or NDIS Worker Screening Check
- evidence of recent flu or COVID-19 vaccination history, if required
- other checks may be required, such as a Working with Vulnerable People Check, depending on your state or territory
- training that matches your role.
Your provider or Volunteer Manager will let you know what is required.
Read the Aged Care Worker Screening Guidance Material for more information about worker screening requirements.
Volunteer stories and feedback
If you are already volunteering or supporting volunteers, we want to hear from you about:
- what volunteering is like
- how volunteers support older people
- ideas that improve volunteer engagement.
We may share your story on our website or social media channels.
Hear from real volunteers to learn what volunteering is like.
Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme
The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) supports regular volunteer visits to older people who are socially isolated or at risk of social isolation.
Find more information about the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.
Volunteer resources
- Aged care volunteering and the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) booklet
- Frequently asked questions for potential aged care volunteers
- Supporting Older People: Learning Guide
- Learn more about volunteering, including the National Strategy for Volunteering 2023-2033 and the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, at Volunteering Australia.
Become an aged care volunteer
Visit Find aged care volunteer opportunities to get started. You can also speak with a provider or Volunteer Manager about available roles, checks, training and support.
