FAQs

Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain. (Volunteering Australia)

• Chat to or email our Volunteer Development Officer.
  Phone (08) 8393 6414 | email volunteering@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
• Register your interest online here.
• Search www.volunteerconnecthills.com.au and contact or apply via online for Council opportunities or other roles in the community.

It depends on the volunteer role. Every volunteer will go through a Council Volunteer induction process which in most cases can be completed in under two hours. Some roles will require a screening check which may take a few weeks to return and additional induction requirements or training before you can start. Full support is given through the process and there are no costs incurred by you.

No. Everyone can make a difference utilising your life and/or work or other volunteering experiences and your personal skills, regardless of your background. There are many opportunities to learn new skills and try something new as well.

No. Sometimes the vacancies we have may not suit your interests or be of interest to you.

It depends on the role requirements and the individual.

Minimum age can be 12 years for some programs.

Volunteers under 16 years require to be supervised by a parent/caregiver who will also need to become a registered Council volunteer.

Volunteers under 18 years of age require a parent/caregiver consent form completed.

There is reduced insurance coverage for Volunteers 90 years + with consideration to modifying role if required and able to.

This depends on the role and your availability. Roles are as little as 1-3 hours per week or fortnight, while others may only require a couple of hours a month.

Volunteer Driver roles may require more hours in a day depending on client needs, and some roles can provide more hours if you require this.

We will endeavor to be as flexible as we can to suit your individual needs.

This depends on the program and requirements where federally funded programs request it.

Volunteers who work with vulnerable members of the community, handle money or have access to sensitive information, or enter private property, will require a police check.

All Library volunteers require a working with child check due to being a child environment.

Some roles require multiple checks. Council will arrange, assist and pay for any costs involved with this.

You are invited to submit job applications for external vacancies, and will be given the same consideration as the general public.  All external vacancies appear on the Employment page of the Mount Barker District Council website.

Volunteering is a great first step to gaining paid employment and learning how an organisation works, not always with the organisation you volunteer with. Your Volunteer Program Coordinator may be happy to be a referee and comment on the volunteer role in which you have been involved in, and a report on your hours and training can be provided on request as well.

Yes. If you qualify for an allowance from Centrelink that includes volunteering, we can generally help you meet all, or part of your commitment of hours depending on vacancies available and your interests. Often a mixture of roles including with other Community organisations is required.

Where applicable, and specific to your role, training will be provided and paid for by Council.  All roles will have a site induction in addition to the corporate volunteer induction. At times Council may offer other training opportunities.

Yes, volunteers are covered by public liability and personal accident insurance whilst undertaking volunteer duties as detailed in the relevant volunteer role description and when approved and controlled by Council.

Council will reimburse any pre-approved out of pocket expenses which are incurred whilst performing volunteer duties, this may include meals and fuel reimbursement in some roles.

Yes absolutely. We simply ask that you give your Volunteer Program Coordinator some notice if possible.

Yes. Volunteering is a choice and we realise that as commitments and priorities change you may need to resign from your volunteer role. Wherever possible we ask if you can give your Volunteer Program Coordinator some notice so they can plan for this change.

Not through our volunteering program. Student placements and work experience are not considered voluntary work.

For more information about opportunities for student placement or work experience, please contact our People and Culture Department on 8391 7299 or peopleandculture@mountbarker.sa.gov.au