Australia

Placement locations

Placements are located throughout Australia, but predominantly focused across the East coast.

Roles explained

Lattitude Global volunteering offer two types of School Assistant placements. One is working in traditional boarding schools and the other is working in schools with Australia’s indigenous population.

Indigenous School Assistant

In indigenous communities, this may be the first time that the children have studied formally. In this instance volunteers assist with the supervision of students in the boarding house before and after school and at weekends, as well as providing assistance in the classroom with one-on-one tutoring and group work. This is particularly important for students with low levels of grammar and literacy. Help is also required in intensive English programmes for children who do not have English as their native language. Volunteers have the opportunity to become involved in areas that interest them such as sport, music and drama. They might also supervise on school camps, help in the school office or library and, for those with driving licences, transport boarders to doctor’s appointments, sports fixtures and other appointments as required.

School Assistant

In the more traditional boarding school placements, volunteers will help in a variety of ways similar to the indigenous school assistant roles. There is usually a strong emphasis on volunteers to get involved with extra-curricular activities such as sports and sports coaching, music, drama and other activities including trips and excursions. Schools in Australia request volunteers with a variety of skills and the Lattitude Global Volunteering matching process aims to align volunteers with the correct skills and interests to schools where they will be utilised fully and as a result really enjoy their placement.

Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education placements involve working with groups of children coordinating and running activities including: surfing, snorkeling, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, archery or even snowboarding, depending on the location of the camp and the time of year. As you assist instructors you have the chance to gain qualifications and eventually lead the activities. You may also help out with maintenance of the placement, assist with the running of the camp and get involved with the pastoral care of the campers at the start and end of the day. A small amount of pocket money is paid each week.

Placement details

Indigenous School Assistant

Volunteers who undertake placements in Australia are often required to undertake a wide variety of duties. As a Schools Assistant you could be placed in an Indigenous school where you would have the opportunity to develop pupils’ vocational skills alongside more traditional subjects. Traditional dancing, arts and music are also highly valued in such schools. Volunteer duties also include supporting the after-school boarding programme from 2.30-10.30 and assisting in a mix of recreational and homework duties. Volunteers also have plenty of opportunities to get involved with the school community outside of the boarding programme, helping with activities such as tutoring, school trips, art classes and sports.

School Assistant

Alternatively you could also be placed in an independent, coeducational day and boarding school. In these schools, volunteers work 30-35 hours per week and are expected to carry out a number of duties, including general classroom assistance, sports coaching, individual tuition, boarding house duties and assisting on excursions. There is a large focus for volunteers on these placements to help in extra-curricular activities, so if you are sporty, musical or arty these could be the placements for you!

Outdoor Instructor

Our outdoor education placements are similarly varied. In this role you would need to help lead outdoor trips and activities, contribute to the maintenance of the campus and equipment and help generally with the care and well-being of the students. These placements suit active individuals who love the outdoors and are not afraid of long days! These placements offer volunteers a fantastic opportunity to become an essential part of camp life that will see them helping with a variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities.

The roles on these projects are as varied as the camps themselves and volunteers will see themselves helping out on a range of activities. No qualifications are necessary as long as you are enthusiastic and willing to get involved. The camps offer training and there is the opportunity for volunteers in some camps to attain outdoor qualifications whilst on placement.

Accommodation and food

Accommodation is provided in the staff quarters on campus, or volunteers are given their own room within the school boarding house. Food is supplied in conjunction with accommodation.

Pocket money

Volunteers in Australia will receive between $70 (Aus)- $150 (Aus) per week at schools placements and between $50 (Aus) – $75 (Aus) per week at outdoor camps.

Is it for me?

Schools Assistant

Schools Assistant placements are located throughout Australia in some of the country’s most welcoming and exciting schools. You will have the chance to work alongside teachers, develop your own teaching skills and build strong relationships with the children as you assist with all aspects of school life.

Indigenous Schools Assistant

These placements will give you the opportunity to learn about remote indigenous communities in Australia while supporting young students living away from their traditional support network. They will suit patient, resourceful people who are accepting of the beliefs and values of Australia’s indigenous communities.

Outdoor Education

YMCA camps provide outdoor education and recreation programmes for organised groups. Volunteers will be assisting the group leaders in arranging activities for the children. They will also be involved with maintaining facilities, getting involved in property maintenance, cleaning and kitchen duties. Volunteers will be provided with full training and can gain qualifications.

Need to know

• Pre departure briefing - all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure
• On arrival - volunteers attend an orientation session in Melbourne unless specific training is supplied by host

Travel

Diversity is the word when it comes to travelling in Australia. From forests, mountains and deserts to coral reefs and lively cities, volunteers in Australia rave about their adventures on this giant island. Most Australians live by the sea, and most are residents in large cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Australian cities are therefore lively and offer an excellent array of attractions for tourists. If you are placed in a school, it is likely that you will be given 2-3 weeks off during the school holidays – the perfect opportunity to spend a couple of weeks exploring the cultural and geographical gems Australia has to offer. Perhaps the best way of seeing the country is by hiring a car. Renting a car in Australia is relatively cheap compared to Europe and road conditions are good. You will also save a lot of time compared to travelling by bus, and will rarely encounter any traffic!

Volunteers have the opportunity to travel in and around Australia during school holidays or at the end of the placement. Don’t miss the chance to learn to surf on the East coast, snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef, explore the tropical jungles of the Northern Territories while learning about Aboriginal culture and history, visit the vineyards of South Australia or experience Sydney! From culture vultures to outdoor enthusiasts, there really is something for everyone in Australia.

Costs

Lattitude Global Volunteering fee:
All departures: £2,700

As part of the placement the following is provided::

What’s included?

• Accommodation & food (provided by host)
• Pocket money (selected placements)
• In-country support
• In-country orientation
• Debrief
• 24/7 support
• Assigned Volunteer Coordinator to help with all pre-departure support and offer guidance
• In depth matching process to align your skills and interests with a placement that really suits you

Please note this fee does not include the cost of getting to Australia or extras such as insurance or any inoculations you may need. For an estimated break down of all costs you may have to budget for please click here

Fundraising

As a charity we always recommend our volunteers fundraise to help meet the costs involved in volunteering overseas. In many ways it is part of the whole experience. For more information and fundraising ideas please click here

Planning your trip

*Application deadline refers to the time by which your application must have been accepted and the £25 interview deposit paid.

Please note that the deadline is the last possible time allowed to get an application form in that allows us enough time to match volunteers and begin sorting out visas.

We always recommend applying as early as possible in order to secure your place.

We are currently accepting applications for departures in 2016 and 2017.

Volunteer in Australia: apply now>>