Can I volunteer to help?
What an incredibly thoughtful and kind offer. Following a disaster, many people want to give their time to help out.
Trained volunteers
Trained volunteers are best able to help affected people when an emergency strikes. We don’t send anyone into an emergency response without first completing our training and checks, and ensuring they are covered by insurance.
Think about the longer term
If you really want to help, the best time may not be right now – it may be later, when the attention and news crews have moved on but people still need support to recover. That’s often when volunteers can do the most good.
How to sign up as a volunteer
You can apply at redcross.org.au/volunteer. Remember you’ll need to do our training and checks first and so won't be sent out immediately.
There are other organisations that may look for spontaneous volunteers during a disaster. You can contact the emergency management agencies in your state or territory to find out more. They will be busy, so please wait for them to follow up with you.
Overseas disasters
Red Cross has a global network of 100 million volunteers ready to respond in their communities. We have a pool of registered, trained and skilled aid workers ready to go at all times.
Check out opportunities with the Australian Government’s Australian Volunteers for International Development program. It's another great way to contribute overseas.