Recruiting volunteers for community activities

To recruit volunteers for a community event, start by working out where, when and how you need help. Then either partner with an organisation that already has trained volunteers, or recruit and train your own, and brief everyone before the day. Volunteers can be a cost-effective way to run your activity and to involve more people from your community.

Decide where and when you need help

• annual community events, such as race days, Schoolies celebrations or music festivals
• regular events, such as a weekly youth activity, or a week-long event for Youth Week or NAIDOC Week
• safety initiatives in public places on Friday and Saturday nights, or on days such as New Year’s Eve or Australia Day, when alcohol and other drug use may increase.

Decide how volunteers will help

• staffing a “safe space” or “chill-out zone” at events, where people can take a break and you can share harm reduction messages
• handing out information about support services and safe partying, or necessities such as water and sunscreen
• serving non-alcoholic drinks
• giving first aid, if they’re qualified. This can help while emergency services are on their way, particularly in remote communities.
• running a transport or shuttle service where late-night transport is limited
• helping set up and pack down equipment.

For an example of trained volunteers at a large event, see how Encounter Youth keeps Schoolies safe.

Find volunteers through other organisations

Before you recruit and train your own volunteers, consider whether an organisation with trained volunteers could support your activity:

• Salvation Army
• St John Ambulance
• Red Frogs, for youth, festival or Schoolies support
• ACON Rovers (NSW), health promotion volunteers who can attend LGBTIQA+ events
• Police and Community Youth Clubs (PCYC): NSW, QLD, WA, TAS, VIC, ACT

Volunteering Australia also has resources to help you screen and recruit volunteers. Volunteers working with children or vulnerable people may need checks such as a Working with Children Check. See Ethical and legal considerations.

Look after your volunteers

• Remember that volunteers come from different backgrounds and have different skills and experience.
• Be clear about their roles and responsibilities.
• Think about the tools they’ll need.
• Make them feel valued and recognised for their contribution.

Volunteers who have a good experience are more likely to help again and to spread the word. Recognising them during National Volunteer Week also helps.

Train your volunteers

Run a briefing or training session that suits the tasks. Organisations that can train volunteers include:

• St John Ambulance first aid training
• Responsible Service of Alcohol courses
• Australian Institute of Sport
• Mental Health First Aid Australia.

To train volunteers yourself, use:

• Volunteering Australia: in-depth and practical guides and training manuals, including resources for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) volunteers

Brief volunteers before the day

• Run sheet: set out exactly how the day will go. Include what time volunteers need to arrive, the address, whether there’s parking nearby, and what each volunteer does when they arrive.
• Before and after the activity: ask volunteers to arrive early so you can run through the day and answer questions. Afterwards, ask how they felt it went, whether they’d come back, and what could make it run more smoothly next time.
• Insurance: make sure you’re prepared if something goes wrong, and that volunteers know the plan. See Volunteering Australia’s page on insurance for volunteers.

For one-off and casual volunteering opportunities, visit Volunteering Australia, GoVolunteer or Seek Volunteer.

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026