Volunteer with Australian Red Cross | Australian Red Cross

Volunteer with Australian Red Cross | Australian Red Cross




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
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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:>

All states: ACT | TAS



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:

All states: SA | TAS | VIC



Telecross Volunteer


Simply by picking up the phone and making a brief call, you’ll be providing reassurance and support to older Australians so they can stay living at home for longer. By embracing their lifetime of experience and cultural diversity, you can take the opportunity to make a difference in your life and theirs.

Availability: Flexible shifts available from home every morning of the week, including weekends to suit your lifestyle.

Time involved: From 1hr per week.

Become a Telecross Volunteer »

All states & territories



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.

Become a Telechat Volunteer »

All states & territories



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:

All states: ACT | NSW | SA | TAS | VIC | WA



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:>

All states: ACT | TAS



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:

All states: SA | TAS | VIC



Telecross Volunteer


Simply by picking up the phone and making a brief call, you’ll be providing reassurance and support to older Australians so they can stay living at home for longer. By embracing their lifetime of experience and cultural diversity, you can take the opportunity to make a difference in your life and theirs.

Availability: Flexible shifts available from home every morning of the week, including weekends to suit your lifestyle.

Time involved: From 1hr per week.

Become a Telecross Volunteer »

All states & territories



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.

Become a Telechat Volunteer »

All states & territories



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:

All states: ACT | NSW | SA | TAS | VIC | WA



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:>

All states: ACT | TAS



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:

All states: SA | TAS | VIC
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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 youFeel 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
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"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.


Read the full story


“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.


Read the full story

“I don’t think I would’ve coped without her”

A Red Cross visitor is helping 94-year-old Kathryn overcome isolation and loneliness.




Katie (left) and Kathryn. Photo: Aysha Leo/Australian Red Cross.

"If it weren't for Katie, I'd feel like a forgotten woman,” says 94-year-old Kathryn. “I would feel isolated. I'd be stuck in the house and not see anyone.”




Kathryn is so grateful to Katie, her Red Cross visitor. Every Friday, they chat and share stories over a cup of tea. Sometimes Katie brings homemade soup, crossword puzzles and treats for her friend.




"I don't know what I would have done without her. Katie's always spoiling me and bringing things that I need. It’s wonderful to have someone to help when you are confined.”




One of the hardest things about getting old is outliving close friends and loved ones, says Kathryn, whose husband died four years ago. “They all died in their 80s, and I am the only one left. That's the worst of getting old … you haven’t got anyone to talk to and confide in; someone who knows and understands your life.”

Kathryn doesn’t often go out anymore because she is unsteady and needs a walker to get around. But when she was more mobile, she and Katie would go to the lake for picnics, visit art galleries and go shopping.




"We always enjoyed ourselves and had lots of fun, and it was so good for Kathryn. We might be two, three, four hours [shopping]. Then we’d go to a coffee shop, treat ourselves to a cuppa, and something to eat,” says Katie. “We don't get out shopping now because of the probability Kathryn could have a fall.”




Across Australia, hundreds of people in their 70s, 80s and 90s, who are isolated and lonely, have been paired with a Red Cross volunteer visitor. The program has been running for almost 20 years.




Learn more about becoming a volunteer »




Older people are among the most vulnerable in our communities. Researchers say that almost a quarter of older Australians feel lonely either some or at least most of the time. And another study found chronic loneliness is linked to an 80% greater risk of death in people aged 50 and over.




The buddy program is part of an umbrella of support we provide, including daily check-in phone calls, meal deliveries and drivers who take people to medical appointments. Our teams help older, isolated people stay well, connected and independent.




“It’s marvellous to have Katie. I don’t think I would’ve coped without her,” says Kathryn. Photo: Aysha Leo/Australian Red Cross.

Kathryn and Katie, who both live in Newcastle in New South Wales, met almost three years ago. They quickly discovered they had a lot in common, including a love of crossword puzzles, gardening and chocolates. And Katie’s full name is also Kathryn.




They often chat about Kathryn's younger days. Another favourite topic is the birds visiting Kathryn's veranda to eat the food she leaves. “I'm a nature lover, always have been. We have discussions about the behaviour of birds,” she says. “We can always find things to talk about… She’s come to be a great friend.”




Kathryn says she would feel lonely if she didn’t have Katie. “It’s marvellous to have Katie. I don’t think I would’ve coped without her … She’s been so wonderful to me. I was quite overcome to think someone was interested in doing these things for people [like me].”

Katie is also a Red Cross visitor to another older woman who lives in a nursing home and an elderly man. “They’re a joy. And it’s a joy to see the happiness you can bring just by spending an hour or two with them every week. I wish I could do it every day.”




Thanks to our supporters, Red Cross people like Katie were there for more than 10,300 older people last financial year. Their support included thousands of phone calls and visits to people at home and in aged care.




“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.
Read the full story


"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.


Read the full story


“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.
Read the full story


“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.
Read the full story


"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.


Read the full story Next1
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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.
Find an aged care volunteering opportunity in your community today.
Aged care volunteering roles

About volunteering with Australian Red Cross for Aged Care

What experience do I need?Collapse


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.



What eligibility requirements do I need to meet, in order to volunteer?Collapse


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.



I need additional support to volunteer, how can you help?Collapse


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.

How old do I need to be to volunteer?Collapse


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.

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