Public

You don't need to be a student or alumni of the University to volunteer with us. We have a variety of volunteering roles for members of the public and everyone is welcome.

From dressing up in 1890s fashion for the Waite historic schools program, to interacting with our International students as part of our Talking With Aussies program, there are volunteering opportunities for everyone.

Below is a comprehensive list of public volunteering opportunities. Please make sure you read the "Who can apply?" section of each role before applying. 

Volunteering opportunities

  • Event Assistant for Children's University November Graduations

    Children's University Adelaide (CU Adelaide) offers educational experiences for children five to 14 years of age and volunteering opportunities for children 15 to 18 years of age. CU Adelaide recognises their achievements through the award of formal certificates and graduations. Volunteering opportunities are available to assist with CU Adelaide graduations held in November. Several shifts are available and volunteers can choose which ones best suit them.

    Responsibilities

    • Assist with pack-up and pack-down
    • Assist with registration and ushering
    • Assist with robing and gown collection
    • Supervise children at allocated areas during events

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public. Must be friendly, be confident working with children, have excellent communication skills, reliable, culturally aware, enthusiastic and encouraging.

    Does this position interest you?

    Please complete the online application form by Tuesday 31 August. For further information visit the website or email childrensuniversity@adelaide.edu.au

  • Character role-play for History Program at Urrbrae House (Waite Campus)

    This interactive schools program for primary students is run on Wednesday mornings at the Waite Historic Precinct during school term. This program immerses primary school students into the recreated world of 1892. Our volunteers contribute by developing a character through role-play and costumes to help recreate the past for the children. 

    Responsibilities

    • lead children through various activities
    • role-play characters from the 1890s
    • dress in period costumes from the 1890s
    • adhere to the Child Safety Protection Policy and Code of Conduct
    • undertake required training and screenings for the role

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public. Volunteers must have an interest in history and enjoy working with children. Volunteers must also have excellent communication skills, be reliable, punctual and committed to the program. Please note that the program runs every Wednesday morning during school term. This is a long term volunteer role and requires a working with children check before commencement. 

    Does this position interest you?

    Please visit the Waite Historic Precinct, Urrbrae House Primary School History Program website.

  • Chinese language speaker with the Confucius Institute

    The Confucius Institute promotes the learning of Chinese language and culture and works towards a more informed understanding of China. Confucius Institute's Volunteer Team was founded on the establishment of the institution, and now plays an important role in supporting the Confucius Institute. As a member of this volunteering team, you will have the opportunity to meet other people with an interest in China, Chinese language, culture and a chance to develop your work skills. 

    Responsibilities

    • Assist with advice on pronunciation and understanding of Chinese language
    • Help Chinese language students practice speaking in Chinese
    • Attend weekly activities that cover a wide range of different topics in the Chinese language

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public who can speak fluent Chinese and are interested in sharing their Chinese heritage by way of language and culture. Must be respectful, professional, energetic, enthusiastic, punctual, reliable and enjoy engaging with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

    Does this position interest you?

    Please register your interest to be a Chinese language speaker or email confucius.institute@adelaide.edu.au if you have any further questions about this role. 

  • Chinese workshop facilitator with the Confucius Institute

    The Confucius Institute promotes the learning of Chinese language and culture and works towards a more informed understanding of China. Confucius Institute's Volunteer Team was founded on the establishment of the institution, and now plays an important role in supporting the Confucius Institute. Volunteers who have a valid working with children check can assist our staff from Shandong University to run cultural workshops at schools across SA. 

    Responsibilities

    • Help set-up and pack-up for workshops
    • Help facilitate calligraphy writing workshops
    • Help facilitate Chinese knotting and other hands-on activities for school children

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public with an interest in Chinese language, culture and working with children. Must be respectful, professional, energetic, enthusiastic, punctual, reliable and enjoy engaging with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This volunteer role requires a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) before commencement.

    Does this position interest you?

    Please register your interest to be a Chinese workshop facilitator or email confucius.institute@adelaide.edu.au if you have any further questions about this role. 

  • Communication role-play for Dental Patient Volunteer Program

    PLEASE NOTE:  NO dental treatment or specific dental health advice is provided as part of this program.

    The Adelaide Dental School Volunteer Patient Program involves members of the public helping our undergraduate students learn the critical skill of effective patient communication. The program is part of the communication skills course in both the Bachelor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Oral Health degrees.

    Good communication skills are a vital part of being a good dentist or oral health therapist. Dentists and oral health therapists need to be able to communicate well with their patients for many reasons, such as to:

    • obtain sufficient and accurate information from patients about their dental and oral health
    • sensitively explain to patients the results of an examination, or about possible prevention or treatment requirements
    • effectively educate patients about how to care for their own dental and oral health
    • reassure patients feeling anxious about their dental treatment.

    This is why, as a volunteer helping to prepare our students to eventually interact with real dental patients, you’ll be providing an extremely valuable service to your community.

    Responsibilities

    • participate in communication role-plays, this could involve the student asking you a series of questions; pretending to teach you about oral health; or pretending to help you cope with dental anxiety
    • provide feedback to students about your 'patient experience'
    • attend training and induction sessions which will provide you with guidelines on how to respond and all sessions are supervised by staff who provide guidance for students throughout
    • adhere to the University's Volunteer Policy and Procedures

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or public, who have an interest in supporting students. Applicants must have excellent communication skills, and be reliable, punctual and committed. Please note information and training sessions are held in late July, and teaching sessions run in August, September and October. Sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, generally from 12.45 pm – 4.00 pm, although occasionally sessions may end at 5.00 pm.

    Does this position interest you?

    Applications for this volunteer role are currently closed. For further information please contact volunteer@adelaide.edu.au 

  • Event volunteer with the Confucius Institute

    The Confucius Institute promotes the learning of Chinese language and culture and works towards a more informed understanding of China. Confucius Institute's Volunteer Team was founded on the establishment of the institution, and now plays an important role in supporting the Confucius Institute. As a member of this volunteering team, you will have the opportunity to meet other people with an interest in China, Chinese language, culture and develop your work skills.  

    Responsibilities

    • Assist with registrations at events
    • Stewarding at larger events
    • Help facilitate calligraphy writing for children's events
    • Help facilitate Chinese knotting and other activities for children's events
    • Set-up and pack-up
    • Photography and obtaining permission forms

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public with an interest in Chinese language and culture. Must be respectful, professional, energetic, enthusiastic, punctual, reliable and enjoy engaging with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

    Does this position interest you?

    Please register your interest to be an event colunteer or email confucius.institute@adelaide.edu.au if you have any further questions about this role. 

  • Event volunteer with Don Dunstan Foundation

    The Don Dunstan Foundation (DDF) was established in 1999 to bring together researchers, policy makers and community groups to meet social needs in South Australia. We are currently seeking event volunteers to assist at events throughout the year.

    Responsibilities

    • Assist with event set-up and pack-down
    • Assist with event registration and greeting speakers 
    • Assist with ushering and crowd management

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni or members of the public with excellent communication skills who are respectful, professional, energetic, enthusiastic, punctual, reliable and sociable.

    Does this position interest you?

    Please visit the website for further information and expression of interest form.

  • Fossil collection curator with School of Biological Sciences

    The Fossil Curation Volunteer Group forms part of the School for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Volunteers assist with curation of the Maslin Bay Fossil collection. Tasks inclue examination of rocks from fossil collections and identifying specimens.

    Responsibilities

    • examine rocks from fossil collections for all identifiable fossils
    • image and database fossils
    • identify specimens
    • undertake training in fossil examination and image capture techniques and specimen identification techniques

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public, who have an interest in curation/paleobotany. Applicants must have excellent communication skills, and be reliable, punctual and committed. 

    Does this position interest you?

    Please contact Professor Bob Hill, Director of Environment Institute bob.hill@adelaide.edu.au

  • Gardening at Urrbrae House Gardens and Arboretum (Waite Campus)

    With more than 2,400 plant specimens in our world-class Arboretum and the Urrbrae House Historic Precinct gardens, assistance is always welcome. Our volunteers meet regularly on Tuesdays and Fridays to garden, followed by a coffee and a chat. This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers who no longer have a garden at home yet long to be out in the fresh air in a friendly and supportive environment.

    Responsibilities

    • Gardening, planting, weeding and pruning
    • Adhere to Health, Safety and Welfare Policy

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public who have an interest in gardening. Must be respectful, professional, enthusiastic, punctual and reliable. Please note that this volunteer program runs every Tuesday and Fridays from 9.15 am –12.15 pm except during extreme weather. 

    Does this position interest you?

    Please email erica.boyle@adelaide.edu.au or phone 08 8313 7405.

  • Connections Mate for English Language Centre (ELC) Volunteer Program

    The Connections Mate Volunteer acts as a leader and chaperone to enhance ‘student experience’ and provide authentic ‘social connections’ between international students studying at the University of Adelaide’s English Language Centre (ELC) who have registered their interest to participate with the ELC Connections Program at either internal or external events organised by the ELC. 

    Responsibilities

    • Must be in attendance with students at all times for the duration of an event or activity.
    • Ensure students arrive at the specified location on time, through the appropriate transportation. 
    • Ensure students return safely to the designated location upon completion of an event or activity. 
    • Be reliable and commit, when indicated, to the duties and times required.
    • Timely communication if you cannot commit to an event anymore due to unforeseen circumstances. 

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be students, alumni, staff or members of the public with a good standard of spoken English, a clear voice and good listening skills. Knowledge of local area and attractions is beneficial. An ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups.

    Does this position interest you?

    Please complete the intercultural program volunteer registration form or contact Hung Dao, ELC Student Services Officer at hung.dao@adelaide.edu.au

     

  • International Student Support: Talking with Aussies volunteer

    The Talking With Aussies program helps international students improve their conversational English skills. Volunteers come from a range of age groups and backgrounds, and include students, retirees and working professionals.

    Responsibilities

    • To meet with students on a regular basis (approximately one hour per week)
    • To foster students’ language development, for example: communicating with confidence, pronunciation, and Aussie slang. This will be of a general nature; the program is not a tutoring or editing service
    • To engage in a range of conversation topics which may help the student become more familiar with Australian customs and culture

    Who can apply?

    Applicants should have the ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups with a patient and friendly manner. Students, staff, alumni and public can volunteer for this position.

    Does this position interest you?

    Please view the volunteer information pamphlet, and then complete the expression of interest form. For any questions, please contact the TWA Program Coordinator at twa@adelaide.edu.au.

  • Sports Volunteering with Adelaide University Sport

    Is your playing career over or you just want to help out? Are you looking to build your skill set and resume for once you graduate? With over 35 sporting clubs, the Adelaide University Sport has a number of volunteering opportunities through events, clubs and national competitions. This is your chance to get involved!

    Roles may include but not limited to

    • Committee/board member
    • Event assistant
    • Coaching/Umpiring
    • Club logistics

    Who can apply?

    Applicants should have the ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups with a friendly manner. Students, staff, alumni and public can volunteer for this position.

    Does this position interest you?

    Please complete the expression of interest form or visit the Adelaide University Sport website for further information.

  • University Library Volunteer - applications closed

    University Library support and encourage everyone to participate in the art and cultural activities of the University. A volunteer group has been established to assist in further developing all aspects of the library.

    Responsibilities

    • Ability to learn digitising techniques
    • Be able to handle material with care
    • Demonstrate attention to detail
    • Maintain confidentiality of any sensitive material

    Who can apply?

    Applicants can be current students, alumni, staff or public with an interest in art and heritage collections with computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. Volunteer group runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning, however volunteer roles are limited.

    Does this position interest you?

    Applications are currently closed.

Have any questions? 

Send us an email or give us a call at 08 831 33354.