Our stories

Discover how our volunteers are making an impact overseas, gaining professional skills and developing lifelong friendships.

Managing mental health overseas

Australian volunteer Sian explains her challenges with mental health in Indonesia and on her return to Australia.

Volunteers support the upskilling of doctors in Solomon Islands

Australian volunteers contribute to the training of young doctors at the National Referral Hospital.

Thank you from the Australian Volunteers Program

After a huge year of challenges, our teams from across the Indo-Pacific region want to say thank you.

Preparing first responders in Samoa

How an Australian volunteer paramedic built the capacity of first responders to prepare for the effects of climate change.

Remote volunteering - Continuing to support our partners overseas

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the program had to adapt quickly to provide alternative support to our partners in the wake of a pandemic.

Giving children a voice in the Philippines

How speech pathologist Jill worked with school teachers to better support children who are deaf and hard of hearing to communicate through speech.

A heartfelt thank you from our partners

Our valued partner organisations around the world share their messages of thanks for the volunteers who have supported their work.

Empowering Vanuatu communities to combat the effects of climate change together

How an Australian volunteer supported a project aimed at promoting sustainable eco-based solutions to engage and empower local community members.

Establishing the foundations for climate-resilient infrastructure in Tuvalu

Australian volunteer engineer, Ross Carnegie supports a government agency to develop safe, climate-resistant public infrastructure to meet climate change policies.

More than just basketball

How an Australian volunteer helped transform the lives of children in Fiji through his love of sport.

Ten years of improving lives in remote Papua New Guinea

Two Papua New Guineans have dedicated their lives to ensuring the most disadvantaged people in remote PNG have access to healthcare and education.

Wan Smolbag, many tricks: how the Rainbow Disability Theatre connects communities

For more than 10 years Vanuatu's Rainbow Disability Theatre have been spreading health messages and good vibes through performance and song.

Funding the future of resource management in Fiji

How an Australian volunteer supported a local council to secure funding to implement natural resource and conservation management plans to combat the effects of climate change.

Building business resilience to a changing climate in Kiribati

How an Australian volunteer supported The Kiribati Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives to train small business owners to be resilient in the face of environmental and commercial change.

Preparing for a pandemic

How staff and volunteers at an NGO in Timor-Leste are working around the clock to support the Timorese Government to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Weaving technique empowers women in eSwatini

Anissa took her fashion industry experience to help women in rural eSwatini earn a higher income.

Giving children in PNG the best start in life

Karen is working with health workers in Papua New Guinea to share vital post-natal care.

With Gina a Solomons journo and former SIBC collegue during the PACMAS tour of ABC Sydney

Journalist trains broadcasters in Solomon Islands

"Volunteering in Solomon Islands is the best thing I ever did."

Challenging attitudes to disability through sport in eSwatini

How an Australian volunteer is helping break down stereotypes in eSwatini by introducing the country to wheelchair basketball.

From PNG to Lebanon: A lifetime of volunteering experiences

Australian physiotherapist Glenys Davies reflects on volunteering at 25, and then again in her late 60s, in two very different places.

Supporting athletes of all abilities in Vanuatu

How an Australian volunteer helped para-athletes achieve international success, and turned friends into lifelong family.

Supporting a small NGO in a big Asian city

A reflection on volunteering as a communications officer in Jakarta, a city where there's always something new and interesting to discover.

From Victorian countryside to remote island life

Tony and Jenny share their unique experiences and challenges of volunteering in Kiribati, a country of 33 low lying atolls in the Pacific Ocean.

Meet our team in the Philippines

How COVID-19 has impacted the work and communities of our Filipino team, and how yoga, motorbikes and cooking are helping them stay positive.

Reflecting on resilient communities and repatriation

Maureen reflects on volunteering for Tongan Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, and Communication before being repatriated due to COVID-19

Turning trash into treasure in Papua New Guinea

How an Australian volunteer helped tackle the issue of plastic waste in PNG, through a unique sculpture exhibition.

Australian volunteer Beau Newham and a colleague working on a laptop at the Gaya Dewata Foundation.

Beau's helping improve human rights for LGBTQI people in Bali

Australian volunteer uses web and fundraising skills to support one of the oldest community-led gay rights organisations in Bali.

Farewelling friends, community, a way of life

Tim and Zoe made lifelong friends in Tonga, making leaving all the more difficult when COVID-19 happened.

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Establishing an HIV clinic in Timor-Leste

An Australian volunteer HIV clinician is working with her Timorese colleagues to treat HIV patients, and prevent the spread of infection.

Improving mental health services and awareness in Vanuatu

Australian volunteer clinical psychologist Dr Damon Ashworth is supporting the Vanuatu Government change attitudes and access to mental health services.

Timor-Leste: Australian volunteers help improve women's rights

From grass-roots to international campaigning, volunteers work with local partners to empower women and combat gender-based violence.

Fil-Aussie volunteers drive development in the Philippines

Six Australian-Filipino volunteers connect to culture on assignment in the Philippines.

I couldn't do my volunteer role without...

Our volunteers do all kinds of meaningful work. Discover how they get the job done.

Learning to tok stori and laf laf in Honiara

A far cry from her experience as a classroom teacher in Port Macquarie, Jessica Wright discovered how to go with the flow in Solomon Islands.

Strengthening child protection in Tuvalu

How an Australian volunteer is working with the Tuvaluan Government and UNICEF to protect and advocate for children.

Australian volunteer Chris Kerr having a cooking lesson from Chanhpeng Silvia Director and Founder of Laos Womens Development Centre.

"We need more people with disabilities volunteering overseas"

Wheelchair user Chris Kerr says volunteering in Laos was life-changing; and she wants more people with disabilities to embark on a volunteer journey.

“You experience the changes and challenges together”

How volunteering as a couple can strengthen your relationship.

Volunteer overseas, develop your career

"I have become more confident, more empathic and much more flexible in my work as a speech pathologist."

Dumplings, hikes and wildflowers: How Australian volunteers make the most of weekends

Patrick Gallus, a returned volunteer, describes a day in the Mongolian countryside, exploring the outdoors and indulging in home-cooked food.

Fostering food tourism in Nepal

Two Australian volunteers are working with local communities to shine a light on Nepal's rich food culture.

In pictures - 10 reasons you should consider volunteering in PNG

Known as ‘the land of the unexpected’, Papua New Guinea is far more than what you have heard about in the news.

Australian volunteer Clinton Wilson right volunteering with the Classic Wallabies in South Africa in 2015

"This program is life-changing for Indigenous Australians"

Adnyamathanha man Clinton Wilson says volunteering overseas has completely changed his life, and encourages other Indigenous Australians to get on-board.

Coffee, clothes and democracy: supporting Timor-Leste through trade

How an Australian volunteer has supported a Timorese government agency to help boost foreign investment in the country, and promote Timorese exports.

Conserving nature in a fragile environment in Fiji

Learn how a provincial council team are managing the impacts of climate change on Fiji's second largest island.

Sam Brophy Williams volunteered as a paediatric registrar at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares v2

Aussie volunteers alongside paediatric trainees

"The dedication and vision for the future of the paediatric trainees is inspiring."

Elisa waist deep in water watching zebras drink

Teacher volunteers in Tanzania with family

"'Karibu' is the word that followed us everywhere: 'welcome'."

Australian volunteers in the Philippines: A unique approach

How the Philippine Government invests in and manages international volunteering for the sustainable development of the country.

Australian volunteer bringing together women traders in Africa

Ashly Hope has a vision: to connect and empower women working in trade governance across Africa.

Yasmin Lisson visiting a health centre on an outbreak investigation.

Australian volunteers strengthen public health in Cambodia

An epidemiologist and technical officer are working with the World Health Organisation to improve public health in Cambodia.

‘In short, I’ve gained professional resilience’

Australian volunteer Kallai Sugden reveals the rewards and challenges of being a paramedic in Vanuatu where resources can be limited.

Ginny Stein, multi-media specialist and advisor, Vunausi Environment Conservation Organisation (VECO)

The nine biggest myths about international volunteering busted!

Through photo blogging, more than 30 volunteers have helped us bust the biggest myths about international volunteering.

“The year my family spent in the North Pacific was profound"

Australian teacher Julie Wren reflects on her family's life-changing volunteer experience in the Marshall Islands in 2001.

Australian volunteer Madeleine Legge in Tonga

Keep your volunteer experience alive

"The Tongan word for volunteering is 'ngaue 'ofa' which translates as 'work of love'."

Improving independence for people with disabilities in Fiji

A program advisor, communications manager and financial management trainer help create lasting change.

Myanmar: Internet and smartphones increase education access

How one Australian volunteer is supporting the growth of e-learning in Myanmar, meaning many people are accessing education who never could before.

Australian volunteer Jake Marusich with local colleague Clifton Ruele v2

Volunteers improve human rights in Solomon Islands

Strong partnerships between the Australian Volunteers Program and local organisations improve human rights in Solomons.

Meet 10 inspiring people and one doggo

We asked Australian volunteers to interview their colleagues. Here you can meet everyday people striving to improve their communities.

Peter Devereux (left) and his wife Leigh Dix (right) outside Handicap International in Myanmar

Building bridges through international volunteering

From volunteering as a family in Nicaragua to carrying out research in Myanmar, Dr Peter Devereux has dedicated his life to volunteering.

A career building experience: construction in the Philippines

Australian volunteer construction management advisor helps build housing co-ops as part of resettlement program, while experiencing life in the Philippines.

Colleagues in Papua New Guinea enjoy chatting over coffee and snacks

Learning the value of relationships in PNG

The concept of ‘time is money’ doesn't apply in Papua New Guinea, says volunteer.

Australian volunteer Krissy Wilhelmsen with ECDC staff member Khaing Phu Wai

Volunteer physio supports children with disabilities in Myanmar

How an Australian physiotherapist is supporting advocacy and inclusive education for children with disabilities.

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Celebrating International Volunteer Day 2019

This year we celebrated International Volunteer Day with over 30 events across 20 countries and a wave of inspiring stories on social media.

The island of Kosrae Federated States of Micronesia

"The invaluable local knowledge far exceeds textbooks"

Australians work with local organisations in the Federated States of Micronesia to reduce pressing environmental challenges.

Go Back <> Give Back competition winners

Congratulations to all the finalists and the winners of the RAVN Go Back <> Give Back competition - a chance for returned volunteers to go and give back to their partner organisations.

Australian volunteer Sophie Raynor in Timor Leste

The five things I now know about volunteering

Embrace difference: Sophie shares her top five tips for making the most of international volunteering.

International volunteering counts!

Australian volunteers around the world share photos from their assignments, to celebrate International Volunteer Day 2018.

Reda using her new excel skills at Twende Innovation Centre

"It was a privilege mentoring young women in Tanzania"

How an Australian volunteer business mentor helped women gain confidence and skills to take on the workforce.

Celebrating Australian volunteers around the world

To mark International Volunteer Day 2018, the Australian Volunteers Program celebrated the contribution of our incredible volunteers in 26 countries.