How do I Volunteer
Information for Jobseekers
What is Community Work?
Community Work is an Australians Working Together initiative of the Commonwealth Government. It allows you to work in an approved volunteer organisation and earn a Training Credit.
Community Work is voluntary work undertaken by jobseekers and income support recipients who are registered with and monitored by a Community Work Coordinator.
Community Work must:
-
be of benefit to the community and the Community Work participant
-
not result in any financial payment to participants over and above their income support and
-
only occur in designated volunteer positions.
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Who can do Community Work?
If you are aged between 18 and 65 and on income support you are eligible for Community Work and may choose to volunteer so you can get some work experience and/or earn a Training Credit. Community Work is also one way you can meet your mutual obligation if you have to fulfil that requirement.
What will Community Work do for me?
Apart from the satisfaction of providing a worthwhile service to your community, you will gain valuable work experience and develop new networks. If you complete enough hours, you could be eligible for a Training Credit up to the value of $800 for accredited training or education to help you be more job ready. The value of your Training Credit will depend on the total number of hours you complete in your Community Work placement-see Table 1 for details.
Table 1
|
Number of hours in Community Work |
Value of Training |
|
If I am aged under 21 years |
If I am aged 21 years or over |
|
| 310 |
390 |
$800 |
Community Work is flexible. The hours you do and how long it takes to complete your Community Work placement will depend on many factors such as your age, the type of income support you receive, why you are doing Community Work, and the organisation you are working in. You can complete Community Work over six months or in a shorter period if that suits both you and your organisation.
To meet a mutual obligation in Community Work you will need to complete a minimum number of hours (see Table 2). To earn a Training Credit, your minimum hours are in Table 1.
Table 2
|
Age |
Minimum hours required to meet your
mutual obligation within a six month period |
|
18-20 |
200 |
|
21-39
|
240 |
|
40 and over |
150 |
Once you have completed your minimum requirement, you do not have to stop volunteering. If you and your volunteer organisation agree, you may continue in that placement, or you may choose to volunteer your services and time with another organisation to earn a higher value Training Credit.
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Do I have to look for work while I'm doing Community Work?
If you are an activity-tested jobseeker with a job search requirement, you will continue to have a job search requirement during your placement. You should discuss the number of job searches you must do with your Job Network member. You will need to make sure you leave enough time each fortnight to look for work to meet your job search requirements.
How do I volunteer for Community Work?
It is up to you to find your Community Work placement.
If you are a jobseeker with a Job Network member and you choose to do Community Work, your Job Network member will refer you to a Community Work Coordinator who will monitor your placement and ensure you receive your entitlements. You can ask your Community Work Coordinator for advice on how to find a placement which suits your needs if you are having trouble finding a suitable volunteer organisation.
If you are on a different kind of income support and do not get services from a Job Network member, you will need to go to Centrelink to be referred to a Community Work Coordinator for Community Work. Your Community Work Coordinator will provide you with the same services as a jobseeker who is referred by a Job Network member.
You can find volunteer opportunities through the touch screens in Centrelink and your Job Network member's office. You can also visit www.volunteersearch.gov.au and www.govolunteer.com.au as a starting point. Placements found on these websites will be automatically approved for Community Work. If you do not have access to the Internet ask your Community Work Coordinator-they can help you.
Volunteer Resource Centres are also very helpful in finding approved suitable placements for you. Your Community Work Coordinator can help you find your local Volunteer Resource Centre's contact details.
If you receive either Newstart or Youth Allowance, you will also have to sign a Preparing for Work Agreement with your Community Work Coordinator that commits you to commencing in a Community Work placement by a specified time. Once you have confirmed your Community Work placement with the volunteer organisation, you should notify your Community Work Coordinator, who will senddetails to Centrelink for approval.
If the organisation you choose first can't give you enough hours to meet your needs you may volunteer with more than one organisation for Community Work. You will need to make sure that your participation with each organisation doesn't overlap.
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What happens if I can't find a Community Work placement?
If you have a participation requirement under mutual obligation, you will be required to do another approved activity. In most cases, this will involve starting a Work for the Dole placement. You should discuss your options for starting Work for the Dole with your Community Work Coordinator before the specified date in your Activity Agreement if you have been unable to find a Community Work placement.
You may be in breach of your Activity Agreement if you fail to commence a Community Work placement by the agreed date.
What Community Work opportunities are available?
Volunteering can take on many forms. The opportunities vary around Australia.
Some Community Work participants have already found satisfaction in volunteering their time to work in organisations that provide services in areas such as:
Where do I get more information on Community Work?
For more information on Community Work, contact your Community Work Coordinator or Job Network member.
You can also find information by telephoning 13 62 68.
Useful Links
australia.gov.au