Make a difference within your community through volunteering this Summer break.
Looking for ways to join in the spirit of giving this Summer? Do you want to volunteer your time while your uni schedule is a little quieter? We have a range of opportunities for you to get involved in over your summer break. Make a difference in your community while boosting your employability, make new friends, form great professional and interpersonal skillsand have fun while doing it.
Explore our list of volunteering opportunities available to you this summer, and choose an opportunity (or opportunities) you’re passionate about.
Volunteering opportunities
Lifeline Book Fest - Various roles
When: 18 - 27January, 2025
More info: Good friends, good people, and good fun, too – our beloved Lifeline Bookfests have lots of opportunities for volunteers in communities across Queensland. There are a range of shifts and times available, including front of house, information booth, point of sale crew, tidy crew, night fill crew, set-up and pack-down.
From sorting and pricing, to bumping in and bumping out, our amazing Lifeline Bookfest volunteers put their hands up to ensure each of these massive second-hand book sales runs smoothly. And that’s important, because Bookfests help to raise funds for our 24-hour 13 11 14 crisis line. So, if you love books, why not get involved in the community, and make a difference to someone’s life by volunteering at Bookfest?
Support Children’s Hospital Foundation
When: 1 - 24 December, 2024 (multiple shift times available)
More info: This holiday season, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre and Children’s Hospital Foundation are teaming up to spread joy and make a difference in the lives of sick kids and their families. We are setting up a gift-wrapping station at INDRO! that will be run by volunteers, with all proceeds going directly to support the life changing work of Children’s Hospital Foundation.
We are calling on our incredible partners, sponsors and ambassadors to join us in this festive fundraising initiative. Your time and energy can help raise much-needed funds to support sick Queensland kids. Wrap gifts for shoppers, share in the holiday spirit and support sick Queensland kids at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Kookaburra Kids
When: Multiple. See below dates, times and locations:
- Jungle Adventure Play, Tingalpa: 14 December (Half day)
- Burleigh Summer Camp, Burleigh Heads: 7 - 9 February (Bus transport provided)
- Riverlife Kayaking, Kangaroo Point: 15 February (Half day)
- Kindalin Camp, Redlands Bay: 21- 23 February
More info: At Kookaburra Kids we appreciate, support and thank our volunteers for the assistance they provide on our programs. Volunteers form an integral part of the Kookaburra Kids team, as we couldn’t run our programs without them. Our volunteer program provides an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to participate in programs that are engaging, fun and contribute towards the positive well-being of young people’s lives in their community.
‘Save the Children’ Op Shop
When: Multiple shifts available
More info: Are you looking for an opportunity to meet new people, make friends and be part of an amazing team? If that's you, we're looking for you to volunteer in our Op Shops across Brisbane! Save the Children is one of Australia's largest aid and development agencies dedicated to helping children. We work to protect children from harm and help them access quality education and health services. Our Op Shops raise funds through the sale of donated goods.
A Retail Assistant Volunteer contributes to creating a welcoming shopping environment and is part of a happy team of volunteers.
Wesley Mission Queensland
What do you get when you pair coffee and friendship? A cure for loneliness. With isolation and loneliness growing concerns in our older generation, a regular visitor and friend can vastly improve their wellbeing. Engaging in conversation, laughing, and smiling makes everyone’s day much better!
Wesley Mission Queensland is seeking Volunteer Visitors for its Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Program in the Brisbane and Caboolture regions. Volunteer Visitors provide much needed 1:1 social connections and friendship to older persons who live in their own homes or in residential aged care and may be isolated and lonely.
Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia Queensland
When: 24 December, 2024 - 2 January, 2025
More info: Woodford Folk Festival is a not-for-profit community run organisation. Each year, thousands of volunteers from all around the globe join us in volunteering their time, energy, expertise, joy and passion to help us create a magical festival experience – a place for us all to imagine a beautiful future. In return for their contribution, all volunteers receive a Season Ticket with camping.
The team is currently seeking both ‘festival event’ volunteers and volunteers for the build period, to assist with a range of different roles. Please take note of the locations of this volunteer opportunity (Woodfordia, Queensland – located near the Sunshine Coast hinterland) and please note you will need to organise your own transportation to travel to the Folk Festival.
My Student Guide (UQ opportunity)
If you're keen to share your hard-earned knowledge and mentor others, we'd love to hear from you.
When: Options available from late-November 2024 - February 2025. Shifts are only one-week long; Respond to online messages once a day, at a time that suits you.
Starting university can be overwhelming, but you're here to help! My Student Guide helps new-to-UQ students feel welcome and supported before they start Orientation. As a volunteer Student Guide, you'll support new students through friendly online chats. Share your UQ tips & tricks, answer questions and describe your own student experience. The best part? My Student Guide is flexible, so you'll respond to messages at a time that suits you.
You'll receive training, and a Certificate of Recognition at the end.
This is the flexible, summer opportunity you've been waiting for.
2025 Brisbane International
When: 27 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 (multiple opportunities available)
More info: Experience the Summer of Tennis like never before! Join an amazing team of volunteers and go behind-the-scenes to help deliver truly memorable moments for the world’s best players and fans.
Volunteers at the 2025 Brisbane International Summer of Tennis events receive valuable sporting and events industry experience, perks throughout the event, and opportunities to meet an exceptional group of like-minded volunteers.
The volunteer event roles range from entry-level positions through to roles that will pack a real punch on your resume. Take a look at the roles available here. Please note that some of the functional areas have higher demand than others, and will be recruited for according to needs of the event.
Hurry, applications close Sunday 1 December!
Requirements: Hold a current Working with Children Check (Volunteer) card, pass a national police check and complete online induction modules and additional training as required.
Little Dreamers
When: Multiple. See below dates, times and locations:
- White Water World, Gold Coast: 18 December, 8am - 3:30pm
- Movie and Art Day, Toowoomba: 9 January, 8:30am - 4:00pm
- A Day at the Arcade and Movies! Chermside: 9 January, 9:00am - 3:30pm
- Arcade and Art Day! Ipswich: 13 January, 9am - 3:30pm
- Adventure Awaits! Sunshine Coast: 14 January, 7:15am - 2:45pm
- Movies and Pizza! Bundaberg: 15 January, 9am - 3:30pm
- A day at the Arcade and Movies! Logan: 15 January, 9am - 3:30pm
- Mini Day Retreat, Hervey Bay: 16 January, 8:30am - 3:00pm
More info: We're Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, supporting young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, substance use or frail age, in VIC, NSW and QLD. We’re seeking enthusiastic and committed volunteers in various locations across QLD to join our team for our engaging school holiday programs in January and December. As a school holiday volunteer, you will support the program by engaging in activities, interacting with students, and assisting the facilitator with tasks like serving lunch and playing games. Little Dreamers School Holiday Programs are designed for Young Carers to enjoy a day of social respite, meet fellow Young Carers and participate in a range of exciting activities!
About you: You’re passionate about working with young people and eager to volunteer with a dynamic non-profit.
- You’re fun, energetic, and caring.
- You’re driven to make a difference in the lives of Young Carers.
- You’re reliable and dedicated.
- You have strong communication skills, engaging with young people in a supportive and non-judgmental way.
- You uphold strong ethics, understand ethical issues, and are responsible around vulnerable individuals, seeking guidance when needed.
How to apply: After you complete our online application form you will be invited to an interview with our Little Dreamers Volunteer Coordinator.
Requirements: Hold a current Working with Children Check (Volunteer) card, pass a national police check and complete online induction modules and additional training as required.
Starlight Children's Foundation
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Brisbane City, and we need your help to spread some joy! Watch as Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner lights up the dazzling 22-metre tree, twinkling with joy! Get ready to “rock around the Christmas tree” with Starlight Children’s Foundation.
When: Multple shifts available:
- Friday 29th November, Time: 4:30pm to 9:00pm
- Friday 6th December: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
- Friday 13th December: 5:00 to 9:00pm
Where: King George Square, Brisbane City (We’ll be supporting the City Hall Lights and Enchanted Gardens)
More info: Get ready to be part of the festive magic as a Starlight volunteer! Here’s how you’ll help spread joy:
- Sell Starlight’s iconic wands: It’s the most wonderful time of the year to bring some extra sparkle!
- Shake those tins: Put on your best festive smile and shake donation tins to help collect donations that will help brighten the lives of children and families.
- Light duties for packdown: At the end of this fabulous FUNdraising event, lend a hand with some light packdown duties.
Requirements:
- All volunteers must be 18+ years of age
- A positive attitude and great communication skills
- A mobile phone that you’re happy to download the ‘Shout Terminal’ App onto in order to take payments for wands
- Embrace the Starlight SHINE values
Learn more about this opportunity
Like the sound of these opportunities and looking for more ways to make the most of your university experience throughout the year? Sign-up to get involved in volunteering through our Get Involved program.
Join thousands of UQ students who’ve discovered the joy of giving back, meeting new friends and gaining hands-on experience that stands out on your resume. With opportunities across campus and the broader Brisbane community, you can engage in a way that is suitable for you. Whether you’re interested in one-day events or ongoing experiences, there is something for everyone.
Ongoing volunteering opportunities:
- On-campus fun: Be a part of Welcome Weeks, help run iconic events like the Alumni Book Fair, or join in on UQLife events, including the popular 3X3 Basketball Tournament and 5-a-Side Football Tournament.
- Community volunteering: Be on the ground at major events like the UniSport National Games or catch an AFL or NRL game while helping with 50-50 raffle sales. You can even volunteer to support your local animal shelter (RSPCA), local community garden, or even your local Op Shop.
With 140+ community partners, the Get Involved team brings countless ways for you to make an impact, big or small! Ready to start your volunteering journey? Sign up today and see where it takes you!
To find out more or sign-up, visit our Get Involved website.