Volunteers and other service providers in schools assist staff in a range of areas and provide significant support to students, contributing to their overall educational achievement.
The number and type of volunteers and service providers will vary from school to school. Volunteers and non-teaching service providers will usually need a Working with children check (Blue Card).
They also need to become familiar with:
Volunteers and service providers will complete an induction the first time they visit a department site. As part of the induction process, they will review the
mandatory all-staff training key message guide and complete the declaration page.
Parents and Citizens' Association
Members of the Parents and Citizens' Association (P&C) often provide some form of voluntary support in schools.
In larger schools the P&C may employ:
- tuckshop conveners / workers
- uniform shop workers
- bookshop workers
- sports coaches.
Useful links
Unpaid volunteers
There are significant benefits for schools that host a volunteer or a work experience person from overseas. There are also issues that you will need to consider before agreeing to such an arrangement.
Many unpaid volunteers are welcomed into classrooms. Where volunteers are working on particular educational programs with students, specific training may be provided.
Volunteers include:
- Religious Instructors
- community volunteers
- mentors for students
- parent helpers.
For more information please visit
volunteering and work experience.
Government initiatives
Non-educational services are provided in some schools, using employees of other government agencies or community organisations.
Examples include:
- school-based police officer* program
- school-based youth health nurses*
- youth support coordinator initiative
- school chaplains.
* Police officers and registered nurses do not require a 'Working with Children' check as their professions are exempt.