Volunteering Aged Care
Volunteer with Australian Red Cross Aged Care
Bring joy and happiness to older Australians
Whether it be a cup of tea and a chat, or the sharing of a story or two, the good work of our volunteers keeps older Australians well connected.
Our volunteers are everyday people, who deliver more than simply essential services, as social connection is what keeps everyone, volunteers and older Australians alike, in good company.
By volunteering with us, you'll find flexibility, a supportive team, and opportunities for personal growth and development. You’ll gain valuable experience in connecting with others, while sharing your skills and gaining new ones as you meet a broad range of people with a lifetime of stories to tell.
And now, more than ever, we need motivated people like you to lend a hand. Now’s the time to make a meaningful difference in an older Australian's life.
Explore aged care volunteering opportunities in your community
Visiting Volunteer
As a Visiting Volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to drop in to the homes of older Australians and enjoy a chat over a cuppa, as you bring a welcoming presence and friendship to someone senior.
Availability: Flexible from one visit per week.
Time involved: 1-2hrs per week.
Become a Visiting Volunteer in your state:
Delivering Meals Volunteer
As a Meals Volunteer, you won’t just be delivering the respectful service and necessity of meals to those who may find it difficult to cook for themselves, but also the warmth of connection and support to older Australians.
Availability: Flexible from one shift per month during mornings or afternoons.
Time involved: 1-5hrs per shift.
Become a Delivering Meals Volunteer in your state:>
Transport Volunteer
As a Transport Volunteer, you’ll drive older Australians to essential appointments who have limited means of getting around. But you’re so much more than just a driver, you’re a social connection, who is always up for a chat and to make a new friend on the journey ahead.
Availability: Business hours from one shift per fortnight during the week.
Time involved: 1-5 hrs per shift.
Become a Transport Volunteer in your state:
Telechat Volunteer
As a Telechat Volunteer, experience the difference you make in someone’s life via social connection. Discover new friendships and the wealth of wisdom in a lifetime of lived experience by supporting older Australians who live alone with interesting conversational phone calls. It can make a positive difference in both your life and theirs.
Availability: Flexible shifts available from home. Shifts are available morning, afternoon and evening 7 days per week.
Time involved: From 1hr per week.
Visiting Volunteer
As a Visiting Volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to drop in to the homes of older Australians and enjoy a chat over a cuppa, as you bring a welcoming presence and friendship to someone senior.
Availability: Flexible from one visit per week.
Time involved: 1-2hrs per week.
Become a Visiting Volunteer in your state:
Delivering Meals Volunteer
As a Meals Volunteer, you won’t just be delivering the respectful service and necessity of meals to those who may find it difficult to cook for themselves, but also the warmth of connection and support to older Australians.
Availability: Flexible from one shift per month during mornings or afternoons.
Time involved: 1-5hrs per shift.
Become a Delivering Meals Volunteer in your state:>
Transport Volunteer
As a Transport Volunteer, you’ll drive older Australians to essential appointments who have limited means of getting around. But you’re so much more than just a driver, you’re a social connection, who is always up for a chat and to make a new friend on the journey ahead.
Availability: Business hours from one shift per fortnight during the week.
Time involved: 1-5 hrs per shift.
Become a Transport Volunteer in your state:
Telechat Volunteer
As a Telechat Volunteer, experience the difference you make in someone’s life via social connection. Discover new friendships and the wealth of wisdom in a lifetime of lived experience by supporting older Australians who live alone with interesting conversational phone calls. It can make a positive difference in both your life and theirs.
Availability: Flexible shifts available from home. Shifts are available morning, afternoon and evening 7 days per week.
Time involved: From 1hr per week.
Visiting Volunteer
As a Visiting Volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to drop in to the homes of older Australians and enjoy a chat over a cuppa, as you bring a welcoming presence and friendship to someone senior.
Availability: Flexible from one visit per week.
Time involved: 1-2hrs per week.
Become a Visiting Volunteer in your state:
Delivering Meals Volunteer
As a Meals Volunteer, you won’t just be delivering the respectful service and necessity of meals to those who may find it difficult to cook for themselves, but also the warmth of connection and support to older Australians.
Availability: Flexible from one shift per month during mornings or afternoons.
Time involved: 1-5hrs per shift.
Become a Delivering Meals Volunteer in your state:>
Transport Volunteer
As a Transport Volunteer, you’ll drive older Australians to essential appointments who have limited means of getting around. But you’re so much more than just a driver, you’re a social connection, who is always up for a chat and to make a new friend on the journey ahead.
Availability: Business hours from one shift per fortnight during the week.
Time involved: 1-5 hrs per shift.
Become a Transport Volunteer in your state:
Got questions? Our team is here to help
Reach out to 1300 559 992 or email us at agedcarevolunteers@redcross.org.au
Give your time, flexibly
Every moment you share holds immense value. Whether a few hours each day, week, or month, your time is precious, and deeply appreciated.
You have a team to train and support you
Feel safe and supported with aged care sector specific training, role-specific inductions and resources to learn or develop your skills.Everyone is welcome
All backgrounds, all life stages, one mission. From retirees to students and stay-at-home parents, join our diverse volunteer family to make a difference.
Be part of a community
You’ll be part of the Australian Red Cross Aged and Community Care team that works to support older people across Australia through a range of volunteer-based programs.
Hear from our existing volunteers
“It’s a joy to see the happiness you can bring just by spending an hour or two with them every week"
Katie visits Kathryne, a 94-year-old lady every Friday to help her overcome isolation and loneliness. They both live in Newcastle in New South Wale and quickly discovered they had a lot in common.
“You want to make the most of their day and put a smile on their face”
As a transport volunteer, Sophie drives older Australians who have no other means of transport to medical appointments or social outings. It’s an important way to ensure they remain connected with the community and maintain their health.
"Volunteering with Australian Red Cross is the best thing I've ever done"
Lyn retired after decades as a nurse and says she really enjoys meeting and talking with the older generation to make a difference.
“It’s a joy to see the happiness you can bring just by spending an hour or two with them every week"
Katie visits Kathryne, a 94-year-old lady every Friday to help her overcome isolation and loneliness. They both live in Newcastle in New South Wale and quickly discovered they had a lot in common.
“You want to make the most of their day and put a smile on their face”
As a transport volunteer, Sophie drives older Australians who have no other means of transport to medical appointments or social outings. It’s an important way to ensure they remain connected with the community and maintain their health.
"Volunteering with Australian Red Cross is the best thing I've ever done"
Lyn retired after decades as a nurse and says she really enjoys meeting and talking with the older generation to make a difference.
We're here to guide you every step of the way.
Step 1: Apply online
Apply online by selecting a role that suits you from the opportunities above.
Step 2: Chat with us
We will arrange a time for a chat to get to know you better, so you can learn more about the role.
Step 3: Start your onboarding
We’ll prepare you for the role and will guide you on starting your volunteering journey with us.
Become an Australian Red Cross volunteer. It'll change your life. And someone else's.
About volunteering with Australian Red Cross for Aged Care
No necessary experience, just a keen interest in supporting older Australians in your community. We will provide you with all the necessary training and support.
All Australian Red Cross volunteer roles require a National Police Check. As part of the onboarding process, we will help you to apply for the check and cover the cost. Whilst you might already hold a current Police Check, we will need to re-validate this.
If you are volunteering as a driver in the transport or delivered meals program, you are required to hold a valid driver's license.
Some State/Territory Governments will require additional checks, depending on what program you volunteer with. For example, a Working with Vulnerable People Check is required in ACT and a Volunteer Driver Accreditation may be required in SA. If this is required, we will help you to apply for the check and cover the cost.
At Australian Red Cross we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to our volunteer positions to be an inclusive and diverse organisation that gives equal opportunity to those with disability.
To discuss how we can best support you, please reach out to the Aged and Community Care Workforce Team on 1300 559 992.
Most programs require volunteers to be over 18-years-old. However, in some circumstances we can support younger people to volunteer. If you are under 18 and interested in volunteering, please reach out to the Aged and Community Care Workforce Team on 1300 559 992.
There is no upper age limit to being a volunteer.
Charity donations of $2 or more to Australian Red Cross may be tax deductible in Australia. Site protected by Google Invisible reCAPTCHA. © Australian Red Cross 2024. ABN 50 169 561 394
"Volunteering with Australian Red Cross is the best thing I've ever done"
Lyn retired after decades as a nurse and says she really enjoys meeting and talking with the older generation to make a difference.