Workplace volunteering with Disaster Relief Australia
Disaster Relief Australia offers meaningful corporate volunteering experiences for organisations looking to support their local communities. With the generous support of the NAB Foundation, corporate teams from around Australia can join the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew and take part in disaster preparedness and recovery projects that make a real difference.
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.
Organisations of all sizes are invited to participate as Corporate Volunteers, providing their teams with a practical, well-supported and meaningful way to contribute to community preparedness and recovery.
How to get involved
If you’re interested in taking part in a corporate volunteering day, please contact us and provide your organisation’s details. Our team will get in touch to discuss suitable short-term preparedness and recovery operations for your team to participate in.
You can also download our Toolkit that contains posters, flyers and other resources to share with your workmates.
We work closely with our corporate partners to deliver meaningful volunteering opportunities that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
When a preparedness or recovery activity becomes available, partners are notified and volunteers are invited to register through the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew. Activities often involve multiple corporate partners and community volunteers, with some opportunities for dedicated corporate volunteering days.
All activities are based on community-identified needs and planned in consultation with local communities. Locations and tasks vary depending on where support is required.
Prior to each activity, volunteers attend a short online briefing outlining the scope of work, safety requirements, and practical details.
Many corporate volunteers participate multiple times throughout the year, strengthening their connection with Disaster Relief Australia and the communities we support. Acknowledgment of participation can be provided following each activity.
Volunteers either travel independently or in a coordinated manner to a designated meeting point, where the day begins with a welcome, site induction and safety briefing. NAB Foundation Recovery Crew uniforms and any required PPE are provided.
Led and managed by a trained Disaster Relief Australia Team Leader, volunteers work in small strike teams comprising up to seven corporate volunteers and complete general preparedness or recovery tasks together.
For safety and insurance reasons, corporate volunteers undertake low-risk, non-specialist activities and do not use power tools. Volunteers of all fitness levels are supported, with alternative duties available such as logistics, site support or welfare assistance.
Corporate volunteering benefits
Support your community
Make a tangible difference to disaster-affected communities.
ESG value
Deliver value through measurable community impact, workforce wellbeing and reportable outcomes.
Increased engagement
Build deeper connections within your organisation by engaging in purposeful service
Staff development
Provide personal and corporate development opportunities for your team.
Current events
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TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain Chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and Cut…
“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.”
“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.”
Frequently asked questions
Contact usYes. DRA, local and corporate volunteers are covered by the Voluntary Workers’ Personal Accident Policy. Volunteers must have full Medicare eligibility to volunteer with us.
Individuals, community groups and corporate teams who want to support their local community can join the NAB Foundation Recovery Crew. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and must be enrolled in Medicare.
Some disaster recovery roles can be physically demanding. Field-based tasks such as clearing homes and removing debris may involve bending, lifting, standing for extended periods, and working in challenging environments.
Volunteers are always encouraged to work within their own limits, take regular breaks, and avoid any activity that could aggravate an existing injury or medical condition.
It takes many hands.