Australia: Beautlyn is a volunteer with the Program team and in November she got the opportunity to go on Yawuru Country and help support the Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council Roundtable. Photo: Aimee Han/Oxfam.
Volunteers are the heart of Oxfam, driving our mission to end poverty in communities everywhere.
237
volunteers donated 17,195 hours in 2024-2025, which is worth more than $855,700
1HR
can provide a week’s worth of food to a family facing a hunger crisis
4HR
give four families in Timor-Leste gardening tools to grow their own food
237
volunteers donated 17,195 hours in 2024-2025, which is worth more than $855,700
1HR
can provide a week’s worth of food to a family facing a hunger crisis
4HR
give four families in Timor-Leste gardening tools to grow their own food
Australia: Olivia at The Fair Trade Shop—a community that proudly supports the work of Oxfam Australia. The shop is completely run by volunteers and raises awareness about fair trade principles in the broader community. Photo: Jordan Steiner/Oxfam
Volunteering
Volunteers form the backbone of our organisation and an integral part of our history, going back to when Community Aid Abroad was founded by Father Gerard Kennedy Tucker in 1953.
More than 237 passionate, dedicated volunteers and interns contributed 17,195 hours in 2024-2025 to support our work to end poverty.
You can volunteer in a range of areas including research, events, finance and human resources, to name just a few. You can also sign up to volunteer at one of our events or be part of an Oxfam supporter group in the community.
The value of volunteering with Oxfam
VOICES OF VOLUNTEERS
Why volunteer?
Australia: Rosemary is a volunteer at the Oxfam Bookshop in Adelaide. The bookshop is completely volunteer-led and run, with all proceeds going towards Oxfam's work. Photo: Heidi Demond/Oxfam
You’ll be doing something you’re passionate about
Australia: Kenyah has just completed her final CareerTrackers internship with Oxfam Australia, working alongside the programs team. Photo: Heidi Demond/Oxfam
You could learn new skills or add to the ones you already have
Ngapa: Volunteers Anoushka (left) and Michele (right), with Oxfam Volunteer Engagement Lead Jordan. Photo: Aimee Han/Oxfam
You could meet like-minded people
Australia: Oxfam Australia staff members joined with other organisations in Melbourne for a Global Day of Action amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling on governments to stop sending arms to Israel and for a ceasefire. Photo: Aimee Han/Oxfam
You’ll have the opportunity to learn, network and find mentors in the not-for-profit sector
Bangladesh: Shapla Akter (24) is with Rima, Puja and Rumi who are trained in the Resilient Entrepreneur training program. After training, many of the young people continue to work together on various projects. With these projects, they want to change Mymensingh City and their area, and to build it better for future generations. Mymensingh, Bangladesh Photo: Fabeha Monir/Oxfam. Oxfam acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
You’re working towards a just and equal world without poverty
How you can volunteer
1
Support Oxfam
in the office or remotely and use your skills to make a difference. You could be researching our programs, assisting our campaigns team or supporting us with admin tasks.
2
Take part
in our Micro Volunteering Program and contribute your time in a flexible way that works for you and your schedule.
3
Sign up
to assist at an Oxfam event and help raise awareness of our work.
4
Join an Oxfam community group
and meet people with a common interest in social justice and sustainable development.
5
Complete an internship placement
as part of your accredited course requirements.
"Australia: Zara is a micro-volunteer with Oxfam Australia. Photo: Heidi Demond/Oxfam.
Micro Volunteering Program
In 2023, Oxfam Australia launched its Micro Volunteering Program to advance more flexible and innovative forms of volunteering.
Micro volunteering is a form of voluntary action where people complete shorter, more general tasks and projects that enable a more direct and immediate impact for organisations. Oxfam Australia is proud to be one of the first organisations in Australia to establish a formal micro volunteering initiative as part of a volunteer program.
As part of this program, volunteers do a range of tasks including research, administration, user testing, design and project management. Vacancies are open periodically throughout the year and can be found on our volunteer vacancies page.
Who can volunteer?
Anyone 18 years or older can register to volunteer.
All people volunteering with us must hold eligible to work rights in Australia in accordance with the Department of Home Affairs guidelines.
Working with volunteers
Our commitment: equal opportunity and diversity
We are committed to ensuring individuals are treated consistently and equitably irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, political, religious, or philosophical allegiance, physical ability, family status, age, or sexual orientation. Operating within a diverse national and international community, we are committed to developing policies, practices and ways of working that support a diverse, inclusive and equitable culture.
Child safe employer
We are committed to protecting the rights of all children to live safely, without fear of abuse or exploitation – for more information please read our Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
Read more about how Oxfam supports our volunteers.
Australia: Rosemary is a volunteer at the Oxfam Bookshop in Adelaide. The bookshop is completely volunteer-led and run, with all proceeds going towards Oxfam's work. Photo: Heidi Demond/Oxfam
Our vision for volunteering
We aspire to be an inclusive, innovative, and agile organisation for people to contribute their time and skills through volunteering. We aim to foster a place of welcoming where people can bring their best and authentic selves and enable an environment where people can volunteer in a way that is flexible and convenient.
Find out more about our vision for volunteering below:
How you can help
Join Oxfam today and help communities all over the world live free from poverty.
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