How we support our volunteers

You don’t have to be a qualified counsellor or social worker to become a volunteer. You’ll receive comprehensive training to learn the skills and knowledge needed on the job and be closely supported by locally based, trained staff and experienced volunteers.

You can watch our Volunteering for Victim Support video to hear first-hand from some of our volunteers about their experiences.

What training and support is provided?
All volunteers are supervised by a Service Coordinator who is there to provide you with ongoing training and support, as well as help you with case management.

Victim Support covers all costs associated with your training.

Before you start, volunteers complete an Introductory Training Programme with other new recruits. This four-day foundation programme covers a wide range of essential skills and information from understanding grief and trauma to practical case management skills.

From there, you’ll begin a period of extra learning and coaching called an internship. Interns work alongside an experienced Support Worker to learn the ropes, while completing a case study to finish their training.

Once qualified, all Support Workers participate in monthly training events – a great chance to keep learning new skills and meet other volunteers and staff. These events cover a wide range of topics related to understanding the criminal justice system, coronial processes, restorative justice, police processes, and other agencies we collaborate with.

Experienced volunteers have the choice of completing additional training to support more complex cases such as homicide and court support.

What do I need to commit to?
Volunteers provide support to victims on a roster and are allocated new referrals during their rostered time.

We ask volunteers to commit to being on call for 12 hours each week. It’s important to understand that being on the roster for 12 hours does not necessarily mean working 12 hours. Roster time simply means you are the point of contact for any new referrals received during that period. You can carry on with your normal business throughout your rostered time, as long as you are available to attend a callout if one comes through.

Victim Support operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can agree to your rostered time with your Service Coordinator around your availability – whenever that may be.

All volunteers must have basic computer skills and access to a computer with internet, a personal phone, a current driver’s licence, and a reliable vehicle to use. You’ll also need to be able to pass a police check upon application and then every two years after that.

You’ll need to commit to completing the introductory training requirements and an ongoing training session once a month.

Victim Support reimburses volunteers for all reasonable phone and transport costs incurred in their work and training.

What is the application process?
If you are interested in volunteering with Victim Support, please fill out our registration form on the Volunteer now page - see related link at the bottom of this page.

Once your registration form has been received, we’ll arrange to talk with you further about your application, before an interview and background check.

The interview is designed to make sure you have the right skills and attributes to become a volunteer. If you’re successful at the interview, we’ll do a police and reference check. You’ll be given consent forms for this after the interview. Then you’ll be invited to attend an Initial Training Programme (ITP).

If you just want to talk to someone about volunteering before completing a registration, that’s fine. Simply call us on 0800 865 868.