"Being able to share my skills in business management and provide coaching provides me with the greatest level of satisfaction"
"Building local tourism is helping people to improve their livelihoods and strengthen their communities"
"The YES Grow Program was an amazing experience — both an opportunity to experience a part of the world I wouldn't otherwise have had the chance to visit, and to work with such a diverse group of entrepreneurs"
There are many opportunities for volunteers to get involved in our programs throughout the year. Each assignment looks different depending on the program and needs of the community partners, though generally most assignments are part time.
Some assignments will be for a short period of time, for example, four weeks and be completed in an online capacity only. Other assignments will be longer, for example up to six months and involve a hybrid approach of online and in person delivery.
ABV covers expenses related to volunteer assignments and travel. The details will be discussed in relation to the specific assignment. Some of the things we cover include: Working with Children check, Police check, medical screening and immunisations, transport to assignment location including personal car use when required, airport transfers, flights, accommodation, visa costs, travel insurance, reasonable communication costs while travelling, daily per diem while traveling to cover the cost of food and incidentals.
ABV screens all interested candidates for compliance, cultural fit and community capability to become a Registered ABV Volunteer. Once registered, Volunteers may apply for assignments that are of interest. Every assignment has a specific Terms of Reference outlining skills and characteristics required against which volunteer applications are considered. While the specifics vary by assignment, volunteers are likely to be selected on:
ABV is committed to the safeguarding of our community partners and volunteers and as such there are a number of compliance requirements.
All volunteers must be an Australian Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident, and they must be residing in Australia. Prior to commencing an assignment Volunteers must obtain a Police check, a Working with Children Check and a medical clearance for international travel.
ABV programs have a strong focus on economic development and institutional strengthening. The specific skillsets required can vary, however we regularly require experience across areas such as:
There is no requirement to have volunteering experience. We are primarily looking for people who can apply their professional skills and experience.
Volunteering experience may be helpful but not essential. More importantly, we seek volunteers who are humble, curious, culturally aware and aligned with ABV's capacity-building approach. The most successful volunteers are those who listen, collaborate, share knowledge respectfully, and work alongside communities rather than simply providing solutions.
Yes. There are part-time remote assignments available which allow the flexibility to volunteer alongside full-time employment.
You will be supported throughout your volunteer journey with ABV. Before your assignment begins, you will participate in onboarding and expectation-setting conversations to ensure everyone is aligned on the objectives, scope and ways of working. Throughout the assignment, you will have a dedicated ABV team member as your point of contact, providing guidance, support and assistance whenever needed. This helps set you up for a positive experience and enables you to make the greatest possible impact for the organisation you're supporting.
ABV assignments are designed to transfer knowledge, strengthen organisational capability and support long-term community outcomes. Volunteers help organisations build the skills and systems they need to succeed beyond the assignment itself. Your contribution will be of great value to the community and personally rewarding too!
The team at Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) deliver programs that support Country, culture and community across Gippsland. Their work includes caring for land and Sea Country, protecting cultural heritage, creating employment opportunities and strengthening cultural knowledge for future generations. Recently, we had the opportunity to work alongside GLaWAC staff through a practical […]
Business owners in Vanuatu are turning great ideas into stronger, more resilient businesses through the newly launched YES GROW Vanuatu program. Delivered by Australian Business Volunteers in partnership with BSP Financial Group Limited, the program is designed to give local business owners practical skills, tools and support to help their businesses grow and succeed. The […]
Bank of South Pacific and Australian Business Volunteers are celebrating a significant milestone with their joint local business development program surpassing 200 graduates since its launch in March 2023. Known as the Fiji THRIVE, the program served its latest cohort of 27 local entrepreneurs in Sigatoka where participants completed personalised mentoring, practical workshops and networking […]
The BSP-ABV partnership continues to go from strength to strength, as we support the roll out of BSP’s Business Bank creating more opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises through our co-designed capability development program, YES GROW. Indeed, the energy in Mt Hagen, PNG was firing with another impactful YES GROW training cycle, this time strengthening […]
Community members from Lindenow, Flaggy Creek, Glenaladale, Fernbank, Hillside and Lindenow South came together to strengthen local emergency preparedness and help shape a Community Emergency Management Plan. Key outcomes from the day: Why this matters When communities are connected, informed and prepared, people are safer. By bringing local knowledge together and planning ahead, communities are […]
This International Women’s Day, we recognise the women whose stories reflect the heart of ABV’s work — women who give their time, skills and experience so that others can gain opportunity, confidence and economic independence. In the International Year of Volunteering for Sustainable Development, their contributions show what Give to Gain truly means. Across Australia […]
Appointed to support Australian Business Volunteers’ Resilient Regions economic disaster resilience program with the fire-affected East Gippsland community of Buchan late last year. Mike Sewell, who has been extremely generious with his time and expertise, says he’s in for the long haul. “One of the first things I do when I get involved in a […]
Raised with an ethos of providing a helping hand to your neighbour, joining Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) in 2023 to volunteer with communities in Nauru was in some ways simply common sense for Sydney local, Vera Pajovic. “Maxine Wiggs, a wonderful lady I used to work with in the travel industry reached out to me […]
