Volunteer

Volunteer

The ASRC offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities in more than 20 different programs.

We also offer placements (internships) for students from universities, colleges and TAFEs. For information on these please see our Student Placements Guide

The information below is also available in our Guide for prospective volunteers (DOC - 104 KB).

Becoming a volunteer

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, first you must attend a Volunteer Information Night. Our June night is booked out - the next available is Tuesday 4 August 2009.

Note: You must attend one of these evenings and complete a Volunteer Expression of Interest Form before undertaking the Volunteer Induction Training.

What we're looking for

We want people who are:

• reliable and deeply committed to the welfare of asylum seekers and the values of the ASRC
• prepared to volunteer with the ASRC for a minimum period of 12 months (time off due to holidays, study requirements, etc. not to exceed 3 months)
• prepared to sign the ASRC's Confidentiality Agreement
• willing to apply for a Police Check at your own expense ($14.00)
• prepared to undertake our Volunteer Induction Training Program, requiring attendance three Tuesday evening sessions from 6.30pm – 9.00pm
• able and prepared to undertake program specific training.

Note: Some programs will require you to undertake program specific training, while training for other programs will be provided "on the job".

Getting to the information night

All Volunteer Information Evenings and training sessions are held at the:

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is located just up from the corner of King St and Batman St, next door to St James Old Cathedral. We are a 10 minute walk from either Southern Cross or Flagstaff train stations. You can take the City Circle Tram and get off at the corner of La Trobe and Spencer Sts - the ASRC is just two streets up heading away from the city. Parking can be difficult, but there are free parking spots along Batman St and parallel streets. If you are cycling there are places outside to lock up your bike. (Melways ref: Map 2 H2, or see the Google Map)

What to bring

Entry to the information night is by donation of a Metcard (adult daily tickets: zones 1 or zones 1 & 2) or food items for asylum seekers or a money donation.

What happens next

At the information evening you will have the opportunity to learn more about the ASRC, speak with our program coordinators and fill out a Volunteer Expression of Interest form and pick up a Police Check form.

After the Volunteer Information evening, you will need to:

1. Complete the Volunteer Induction Training Evenings (dates below), before commencing as a volunteer. At these training evenings you will be asked to sign a Confidentiality Agreement and invited to sign up for an orientation tour of the ASRC.
2. Attend an orientation tour of the ASRC.
3. Ensure your Police Check is sent off to Victoria Police.
4. You will then be allocated to a particular program and one of the program coordinators will contact you to arrange a start date.

(Note: some programs will require you to undertake additional training)

What if you can't do the Volunteer Induction Training?

New volunteers are required to complete all of the Volunteer Induction Training. If you miss an induction session, you will only be able to start as a volunteer when you have made up for the missed induction at a later date.

Volunteer information and training session dates for 2009

The ASRC will have five volunteer intakes in 2009.