Indigenous Community Volunteers

Volunteers FAQ

Do I need formal qualifications?

No, you do not need formal qualifications. We need people with many different capabilities and backgrounds.

How long will it take to be assigned a project?

ICV’s programs and projects are driven and led by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and we work with them at their pace and invitation. You may be placed on a project quite quickly and be asked to make adjustments to your plans to meet the demands of our clients. Equally, there could be a longer period of time before you are placed.

It is difficult to state with any certainty how long it will take until you are matched and short listed for a project. ICV’s project officers are good points of contact for you on this process.

Do I have to get a new police check if I had one done recently?

Yes, ICV conducts a police check on all its volunteers. Many people already have police checks for other positions and question if they need to have another one. We have checks done to ensure that we protect ourselves and the communities with whom we work. We pay for the police checks. The results of the police check are, of course, confidential.

Am I too young, too old to be a volunteer?

We do not have a strict age limit for our volunteers. We respond to the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. We do not have an upper age limit. We and our clients are most interested in the capabilities you can offer as a volunteer.

Can I do a project with my partner?

Yes, people can register as a couple and request to do a project together. We often place teams in communities. You will need to fill out individual application forms but can indicate if you would like to travel together. We would also ask people to indicate if they are willing to do a project on their own as it is not always possible to place two people in a community.

What capabilities are needed from our volunteers?

Demand from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients determines the particular skills and capabilities that we are looking for. Communities and organisations request many different capabilities. To ensure we have the right volunteers for their needs, we encourage people with any capability or skill to apply.

How long are projects?

The length of our projects is determined by out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. They can range from less than one day to many months. We are increasingly conducting projects of a longer-term duration. Also, some of our projects can have a number of stages. The stages can be completed by the same volunteer if they are available, or by different volunteers.

Can I still apply to volunteer if I have limited time?

Yes, you can apply regardless of your availability. More restrictions or considerations attached to your availability reduce the probability of your placement on a project. Depending on the project and other variables - e.g. seasons, availability of accommodation etc - some communities can be flexible about when a project begins. If you are the volunteer they have chosen, they may adapt the timing of the project to fit in with your schedule.

I am not an Australian citizen, can I apply?

Yes.

A person who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident can apply to become a volunteer with ICV if they meet the following criteria:

• have lived in Australia for a minimum of twelve months
• have a valid Australian visa
• have effective oral and written English language skills
• can supply a police clearance from your home country
• will consent to an Australian police check
• will provide appropriate references

I am self employed who do I list as a professional referee?

If you own your own business you can list clients with whom you do business.

I have a medical condition, can I volunteer?

Yes, as long as it is safe for you to do so.

Before commencing projects in remote areas, volunteers are required to submit an ICV Medical check form. On this form your doctor verifies that your health status is suitable for you to volunteer with ICV. We do not discriminate against people with health or other disabilities. If you do have a medical condition, you may be placed on one of the many projects that we conduct in urban settings where access to medical and health services is available.

Where can I volunteer?

ICV works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across Australia. We work in diverse settings and environments. When you register as a volunteer you can specify if you have a preference for a region or area that suits you.

Who provides accommodation while I am volunteering?

Generally, accommodation for our volunteers is usually the responsibility of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Accommodation varies and it is not possible to say exactly what the accommodation will be like. ICV does check with communities regarding the suitability of the accommodation they have. The volunteer can also speak directly with the community before the beginning of their project and at this point can gain specific information about accommodation.

Is travel to the project organised and paid for by ICV?

Yes. ICV organises and pays for reasonable travel expenses to and from the project.

Is food provided?

ICV provides a small living allowance to help meet your day-to-day expenses, including food. The rate is based on a one-week (seven day) period. The volunteer allowance for projects less than a week is paid pro rata at a daily rate. Many volunteers choose to donate this allowance back to ICV in order to help our program go further.

How does it work if I have to transit a town or city to get to my project?

Sometimes volunteers need to overnight somewhere on the way to or from their project, especially when going to remote areas. When this happens ICV organises and pays for the accommodation. Occasionally, breakfast may be included as a packaged room rate. Otherwise the volunteer is responsible for meeting these day-to-day expenses, including food, from their living allowance.

What is the ICV Workshop?

The ICV Workshop (ICVW) is a two day workshop that provides volunteers with important cross-cultural awareness and other information to assist them in preparing for their project. The workshop is also an important tool for us to explain and have a conversation with our volunteers about our responsibilities to them and their responsibilities to us. The many hundreds of volunteers that we despatch each year are the face of our organisation. So it is critical that ICV volunteers understand and demonstrate our values when they are working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Am I insured while I am volunteering?

Yes, while you are volunteering, from the date you leave home to the day you return, you are covered by ICV’s insurance cover.

Do I receive a volunteer allowance?

Yes, ICV pays a small weekly living allowance depending on where the volunteer is placed – urban, rural or remote. There is also an additional one-off ‘long-term project supplement’ paid to volunteers starting a project of four weeks or more. ICV pays your allowance directly into your bank account. Your project officer will arrange the payment.

Why do I need to provide referees on my volunteer application?

Referee checks are part of our screening volunteer procedures that help to ensure high project quality.

How are volunteers chosen for a project?

Once initial reference checks are complete, volunteers are registered on ICV’s volunteer database. This means that they are included in the result of database searches when our project officers are searching for suitable volunteers. Our project officers may then contact you to see if you are interested and available for the project. If you are, our project officers will discuss your application - and possibly others - with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to help them make a decision. Our project officers stay in touch with our volunteers through out this whole process.