Volunteer within your local community
If you want to make a difference in your community after a disaster, join our short-term volunteer program as part of the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew, led by Disaster Relief Australia. It’s a safe and structured way to help communities in need.
What is the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew?
Following the devastating Brisbane floods in 2022, many Australians were eager to help, but there was no safe or coordinated way to manage the surge of local and spontaneous volunteers. Disaster Relief Australia identified this gap and, with the generous support of NAB Foundation, established the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew — a short-term volunteering program designed to turn community goodwill into structured action.
The program provides a safe and organised way for volunteers to support disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. It brings together motivated individuals, community groups and workplaces to deliver practical, on-the-ground assistance — clearing homes, removing debris, restoring access, repairing fences and helping communities take the next steps toward recovery.
Our impact
Short-term volunteers
Community and corporate volunteers standing by, ready to assist.
Hours spent in the field
Our short-term volunteers have contributed thousands of hours helping communities.
States and Territories
Our short-term activities extended across six states and territories in 2025.
Current events
Maintain Chainsaws, Trim & Cut Felled Trees and Pole Saw (OP Ranaudo)
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain Chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and Cut…
First Aid and CPR (DRRT VIC)
TRAINING EVENT: HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid & HLTAID009 –…
Maintain Chainsaws, Trim & Cut Felled Trees and Pole Saw (DRRT NSW STH)
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut…
How we help
The NAB Foundation Recovery Crew is made up of short-term volunteers who join DRA’s skilled teams to carry out essential preparedness and recovery tasks in their local communities.
Tasks may include:
- Clearing homes and properties
- Sifting ash to recover belongings
- Restoring access and pathways
- Mitigation works
- Removing debris
- Repairing fences
- Vegetation management
Your time and effort can make a powerful difference in supporting your community.
Our partnership
DRA and NAB Foundation
On 1 September 2023, NAB Foundation and Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) launched a partnership to expand DRA’s capacity to coordinate local volunteers and support more communities recovering from disasters.
NAB Foundation is a registered charity that funds and supports community organisations dedicated to disaster preparedness and recovery.
Sign up to help
To become a short-term volunteer community volunteer, complete the application form and then check our current operations to register for a preparedness or recovery operation near you.
“When disaster strikes, many people roll up their sleeves and offer whatever time they can to help their fellow Australians get back on their feet. The NAB Foundation Recovery Crew helps ensure that, regardless of the time someone can offer, it will always be put to good use.”
“When we first arrived at a homeowner’s house, we thought ‘this is a huge job, how are we going to do this?’ But we achieved so much and walked away knowing that we’d made a real difference.”
It takes many hands.