Volunteering FAQs

General information is available on the Volunteering page. If you still have questions, they might be answered here.

What do Bush Heritage volunteers do?

Bush Heritage volunteers provide invaluable support on the reserves and in the Conservation Support Centre (Melbourne office). On reserves, volunteers help with caretaking, infrastructure maintenance, ecological monitoring and ongoing land management activities. In the office, volunteers help with research and administration. Volunteers are also involved in management and planning. Volunteer position advertisements give specific information about any available volunteer role.

Are there age restrictions for Bush Heritage volunteers?

In generally volunteers aged 18–90 years are eligible to participate in our volunteer program. If you're under 18, you may be able to participate in some activities with the support and consent of a parent or guardian; if you see an opportunity that you want to apply for, please contact us to discuss if participation is possible for your age group (see right for contact details). People older than 90 years may also be able to volunteer with Bush Heritage, but we will need to negotiate with our insurer on a case-by-case basis; again, please contact us to discuss.

Will I get selected?

We have limited volunteering opportunities and cannot predict the number or standard of applications we will receive for availabile opportunities. Volunteers who match position requirements are eligible and the best applicants will be selected. If the best eligible applicant is you, you will be offered the available opportunity.  

Where applicants are an equally matched and outnumber available opportunities, people living closest to the volunteering location are preferentially selected. If further differentiation is necessary, the applicant whose application was received earliest will be selected.

Can my children accompany me when I volunteer?

Children may be permitted to accompany you on a volunteer job at our discretion, provided they remain under your direct supervision. Requests for children to be brought to worksites will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, we will assess tasks available, safety considerations and whether or not the inclusion of children will reduce places available for other volunteers. If there are age-appropriate tasks available, your child may be able to volunteer too. Please contact us to discuss (see right for contact details).

Why are the number of volunteer positions limited?

Contrary to what many people think, volunteers aren't free of cost. While we don't pay a wage to volunteers for their efforts, we invest time and resources to ensure that our volunteers are safe, are covered by appropriate insurance, are matched to tasks, have organized and meaningful work to do, have the support, training and equipment necessary to succeed, and are recognized for their achievements.

The real costs associated with each volunteer placement include the costs of recruitment, screening, training and supervision, evaluation, recognition, insurance, planning, logistics, and the development and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure to accommodate people.

All volunteer positions are subject to change. Climatic factors strongly influence the positions available. Seasonal conditions determine the volume and type of work to be done. For example, summer is a season of low activity as temperatures and fire dangers increase at the same time that plants and animals become less active. Unplanned events such as fires and floods sometimes cause volunteer activities to be postponed or cancelled. 

Do I have to be a donor to volunteer?

You do not need to be a donor in order to volunteer with Bush Heritage. Financial support is always appreciated, but the primary concern for us when selecting volunteers is to find the right people for our volunteer jobs.

What benefits do I get as a volunteer?

We alert volunteers by email when there are upcoming volunteer positions and employment opportunities in their state of residence. Occasionally, we also organise and invite volunteers to social events, and free tickets or other items are sometimes available.

Of course, the main benefit is the experience of helping to protect some of Australia's unique places and for volunteers who stay with our team over the long-term, there is the opportunity to witness progressing changes with their own eyes. Volunteering is a way to connect with others who care passionately for the environment, and to perhaps restore a sense of optimism about the community to which you belong as together people are taking action to protect many dearly loved Aussie creatures.

How much does it cost to volunteer?

Currently there is no fee to volunteer for Bush Heritage, but volunteers do incur out-of-pocket costs associated with volunteering, including travel and meals away from home. Such costs can be very significant, especially for volunteering in remote locations.

Do I need special skills and experience?

It depends on the position. When a volunteer position is advertised, we specify any essential and preferred skills or experience.

In general our volunteer program offers skilled volunteering positions. We have very little unskilled work available. To maintain a safe workplace, volunteers must have a skill-set and training to match the job at hand. Being well matched for jobs also helps to ensure that volunteers can experience the satisfaction of productive work and a job well done. In general, we do not have the resources ready to upskill and support untrained people.

Do I need an email address to volunteer?

An email address is not strictly required, but we usually use email to notify members of our volunteer team about upcoming volunteer positions. If you don't have an email address, please stay in touch by telephone or make an arrangement with individual Bush Heritage staff members to be contacted when required.

Can I take my dog to a reserve?

No, unfortunately pets can't be brought onto any Bush Heritage reserve.

Am I insured while volunteering?

Bush Heritage maintains Volunteer Personal Accident insurance to cover some out-of-pocket expenses following accidental injury, disability or death while volunteering. This does not cover expenses due to travel disruptions (including flood, fire or dust-storm). We strongly recommend you consider taking out your own travel insurance before your volunteering journey. We also recommend a full ambulance subscription.

Will my volunteer expenses be reimbursed?

We don't uniformly reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for travel, food, etc. However, we acknowledge that costs can stand in the way of regular volunteering, and endeavour to provide some financial support to volunteers who are assigned tasks associated with projects and activities of the highest priority. All reimbursements must have prior written approval. When a volunteer position is advertised, the availability of financial support will be stated in the information.

What do I need to wear?

When doing active outdoor volunteer work, ensure you have a comfortable long-sleeved shirt and trousers to wear. Old work clothes are great. A hat is essential – broad-brimmed is best. Sturdy work boots with good tread will serve you well. Bring wet-weather clothing, work gloves, sunscreen (high protection factor) and a water bottle.

Unless cold weather is completely out of the question, be prepared with warm and wind-proof clothing. Outdoors in the cooler months, a beanie could be your best friend.

How do I get to volunteering locations?

Volunteers independently arrange their own transport to and from the locations where they choose to volunteer.

Bush Heritage's reserves are generally far from population centres and many are difficult to get to. Some reserves can be accessed by 4WD vehicle only, and high clearance may be essential. Contact us for advice on whether your vehicle will have sufficient clearance to enter a reserve if you are considering a position and feel uncertain.

The Conservation Support Centre in the Melbourne CBD is easily accessible by public transport or bicycle.
 

What are the catering arrangements?

In most cases, volunteers bring and prepare their own food. When overnight stays are involved, we strongly recommend bringing contingency supplies in case you get stuck on location for extra time.

For some Working Bees or Volunteer Events, there may be some catering offered. Check position advertisements for details of any catering arrangements. If there is no mention of catering, please bring your own provisions.

Can I buy food at the reserve?

No. Bear in mind also that most of our reserves are in remote locations, so the nearest shops may be many hours’ drive away.

What sort of accommodation can I expect on reserves?

Where an overnight stay is necessary, Bush Heritage provides accommodation if possible. Accommodation and facilities vary from reserve to reserve. You'll either camp, or stay in basic quarters.

Where campgrounds are available, they have basic facilities, including a drop toilet and a fire pit. Where there are quarters, you can expect a simple mattress, shared kitchen, showers and toilets. This may include sharing with mosquitoes and other 'wild' life. Electricity and water may be in limited supply. But, these things are often compensated for by the usual pleasures of being up close and personal with nature.

What are the challenges of staying in a remote location?

Living in a remote location is not as easy as living in metropolitan or even rural Australia. It can be challenging and, at times, uncomfortable.

There may not be ample water and electricity. And some Bush Heritage reserves are subject to climatic extremes – the temperatures can be very trying.

You may find yourself with powdered milk and bruised fruit. You may have to do without some of the entertainment you're used to, including DVDs, a stereo or broadband internet. Entertainment instead tends to revolve around stargazing, sharing meals with other volunteers, card games, early nights, or catching up on those books you always meant to read.

Remote locations are many hours from medical care. If you have a significant medical condition, carefully consider your state of health before deciding to go bush.

While it is true that life in the bush is light on modern conveniences, living in remote locations has its own special charm. Volunteering at Bush Heritage’s remote reserves is a very rewarding experience for those people that it suits; we know this as they keep coming back for more.

Are there any dangers I should be aware of?

In relation to volunteer tasks, your supervisor will inform you about how to stay safe.

When driving to remote places, you can expect extreme weather conditions, challenging terrain, and isolation from services. You should prepare well, be well-provisioned and adequately equipped to cope with any unexpected delay or emergency. Planning can help to avoid hassles or potentially life-threatening situations.

Before embarking on a journey to a remote area, ensure you have a roadworthy vehicle, two spare tyres, good maps, first aid supplies, extra food, extra water, extra fuel, appropriate communications equipment, vehicle maintenance and recovery equipment, and an emergency plan.

Very few Bush Heritage reserves receive standard mobile network coverage, so check with your phone provider for coverage and hire a satellite phone if you don't have guaranteed coverage. 

When driving to a remote area:

• Plan your route and notify a third party of your expected arrival time.
• Check road conditions before you start travelling.
• Avoid travelling in extreme heat.
• Stay with your vehicle if it breaks down.
• Drive slowly on unsealed, dusty or narrow roads and always check road conditions before turning off major roads.