Volunteers

Volunteering is a vital part of the South Australian way of life — generating great community spirit and helping to make our neighbourhoods welcoming, safe and inclusive.

We provide strategic policy advice to the South Australian government about issues affecting volunteers and help the Minister for Human Services maintain a high rate of people doing formal and informal volunteering in South Australia.

We also play a key role in implementing the Volunteering Strategy for South Australia 2021–2027, which was developed in collaboration with Business SA, the state government, the Local Government Association of South Australia, and Volunteering SA&NT. Through this partnership, we work with the volunteer community to create a variety of resources, programs and events to help support and develop volunteering in South Australia.

Download the Volunteering Strategy for South Australia (8MB PDF) document or alternative Easy Read Version (7MB PDF)

2023 South Australian Volunteer Awards

Nominate an exceptional volunteer in the 2023 South Australian Volunteer Awards.

The South Australian Volunteer Awards recognise the invaluable work that volunteers, volunteer managers, community organisations and businesses contribute to the South Australian community.

Volunteer with DHS

Volunteering can provide the chance to meet new people, share knowledge and experience and learn new skills, while giving something back to the community.

There are many volunteering opportunities available across the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Learn about our volunteering opportunities

Emergency Recovery Volunteering

Our communities rely on skilled volunteers to assist in emergencies (floods, bushfires, cyclones and vehicle accidents). In South Australia, volunteers make up the majority of personnel serving in the SA Country Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and St John Ambulance.

In an emergency, Volunteering SA&NT manages the authorised registration of people who wish to volunteer to help in the community.

Read more about emergency recovery volunteering.

Grants

There is a range of grants for community organisations to help them support their volunteers and deliver services to the community.

To apply for a grant, organisations need to be:

registered and operating within South Australia
non-government
not for-profit
incorporated with a registered ABN, and
delivering services or support to the South Australian community.

If a community organisation is not incorporated, their grant application will need to be sponsored by an incorporated organisation or a council registered under the Local Government Act 1999.

Other state government grants include:

Grants SA

Grants SA project funding is for not-for-profit community organisations to improve community participation, wellbeing, and quality of life for people living and working in South Australia. People and/or communities experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage are the core target group for this funding.

Contact us

Inclusion and Reform: Volunteers
Phone 1300 014 712
Email ofv@sa.gov.au

Screening enquiries
Phone 1300 321 592
Email DHS.ScreeningAssessment@sa.gov.au

Street address

Level 9, Riverside Centre
North Terrace
Adelaide

Postal address

Inclusion & Reform – Volunteers
GPO Box 292
Adelaide SA 5001

Page last updated : 07 Mar 2023