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Are you looking to make a real impact? Be it flood, bushfire, cyclone or storm, you can make a difference in helping people and communities affected by disaster.
About Disaster Relief Australia
Established in 2016, Disaster Relief Australia is a veteran-led not-for-profit that unites the skills and experience of veterans and other dedicated volunteers to help communities prepare for and recover from disaster.
Unlike emergency services which provide immediate disaster response, our focus is on either side of the emergency. We work with communities to identify risks, develop disaster management strategies, and build their capability to face future challenges.
When disaster strikes, we shift our focus to recovery. In the aftermath of a disaster, we provide essential cleanup and support to help communities pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. Together with our volunteers, we’re on the ground clearing out flood-damaged homes, recovering belongings from debris, removing fallen trees after storms, and so much more.
Join us to help communities recover
By uniting veterans with other dedicated and likeminded volunteers, we offer a distinct capability to participate in disaster recovery efforts structured like joint task force operations. No matter your experience or skill level, you’ll have the chance to contribute and be part of something meaningful.
Coming from diverse backgrounds, our volunteers are united in their purpose to serve others as part of a greater cause. For many, especially veterans, DRA provides an avenue to serve others and maintain a sense of wellbeing and purpose.
If you are driven to help others in need, challenge yourself, learn new skills and meet like-minded people, we invite you to apply to volunteer with DRA.
Types of volunteering
Various volunteering opportunities exist on the ground in our Strike Teams across local, national and international operations, with our largest pool of volunteers being Strike Team members. You’ll dig deep, work hard and get dirty, yet bring help and relief to communities in need. From time to time, we also have opportunities to volunteer in various Membership, Logistics, Safety, Mobilisation, Training, Wellbeing and Field Content roles.
Strike Team
Join our hands-on team cleaning up debris or sifting for personal belongings. With relevant training, you’ll also have the option to assist with chainsawing tasks on site.
Logistics
Manage inventory levels, coordinate equipment movements and maintain accurate records to ensure smooth logistics operations.
Memberships
Play a crucial role in onboarding new members by conducting vetting calls and providing ongoing support. Attend meetings and events to foster community within the organisation.
Safety
Contribute to safety procedures and support safety management during operations. Review post-action reports to enhance safety protocols.
Training
Assist your Volunteer Manager in planning and coordinating training events, draft documents to support training materials or provide essential information to members attending training sessions.
Field Content
Connect with volunteers and the community by capturing impactful photography, stories and testimonials to help us showcase our mission and impact.
Apply to volunteer
DRA welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds including veterans, motivated Australians, corporate teams, and local communities to join our disaster recovery efforts. Start your application today.
Apply nowWhat’s it like to volunteer with Disaster Relief Australia
Our impact
Since 2016, Disaster Relief Australia has grown to an Australia-wide movement. Our unique capability has deployed us globally to provide the greatest service, relief and impact to disaster affected communities.
Find out more
5,000
More than 5,000 volunteers are registered to assist
37K+
Our volunteers have spent more than 37,500 days in the field
275
Communities assisted with disaster recovery by DRA volunteers
141
Disaster recovery operations and community projects conducted
One of the things I really enjoy about DRA is meeting and getting to work with fantastic fellow volunteers. DRA members come from all over Australia and have varied backgrounds…We all have one thing in common and that is a desire to help others in their hour of need. I find it immensely satisfying to walk amongst people like this.
Phil Warton, Veteran
Local Disaster Relief and Recovery Teams
DRA has ten equipped and operational Disaster Relief and Recovery Teams (DRRTs) in all states and territories. Each DRRT is integrated into local, state and national disaster management plans and participate in forums, preparation activities and emergency management exercises.
Volunteering FAQs
DRA welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds to join our disaster recovery efforts. No matter your experience or skill level, you’ll have the chance to contribute and be part of something meaningful.
As a Disaster Relief Australia volunteer, you are offered a range of nationally recognised training courses to equip you with valuable skills needed for disaster preparedness, relief and recovery. From chainsaw operations, first aid and 4WD courses, to drone and imagery analysis and incident command systems, our training keeps us at the cutting edge.
Various volunteering opportunities exist at DRA, with our most needed roles in our Strike Teams deploying on local, national and international operations. We are always on the lookout for new Strike Team members. If you’d rather support behind the scenes, there may be opportunities in our Membership, Logistics, Safety, Mobilisation, Training, Wellbeing and Field Content teams. Your Disaster Relief and Recovery Team Manager can also help find the most suitable opportunities once your volunteer application is approved.
Deployments can be challenging work and emotionally confronting in disaster-affected communities. Being physically and mentally fit for tasks is important, particularly if working for continuous days in austere conditions. We need to look after the safety of the self as we provide service to those in need.
/If you want to go on deployment with our Strike Team, it is mandatory to have had your Tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years. This is in accordance with Australian Immunisation Handbook guidance for emergency and essential workers. Given the higher-risk nature and location of our operations, it is DRA’s preference for volunteers to have received their Tetanus vaccination within the last five years.
If you’ve had a tetanus vaccination within the last ten years, you’ll be invited to deploy (travel) to an operation and assist for several days in a row, typically seven. If you choose to go, DRA organises and pays for your travel. While volunteering, we take care of your meals, personal protective equipment, and barracks-style accommodation. We also cover transport costs such as taxis and flights.
Talk to your educator or student services to help put a plan in place for your volunteer work. If studying, many of our volunteers seek academic counsel ahead of time to make the necessary arrangements for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Apply today
Start your volunteer application today and our Memberships Team will be in touch to guide you on the next steps.
Contact us
If you would like more information about volunteering with DRA, please contact us. Our team is available to provide details about volunteering roles, organisational operations, and the ways you can contribute to making a meaningful impact.