Volunteer

Dig deep, work hard and feel rewarded. If you are looking to learn new skills, challenge yourself, meet likeminded people and help disaster affected communities, then volunteering with Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is the place to start.

DRA on site

Why volunteer with DRA

Disaster Relief Australia operates at the forefront of disaster relief by combining volunteer recruitment and training, modern military technology and emergency disaster management best practices.

By joining in to help disaster affected communities, homeowners and neighbours face their worst days together, you become part of our nationwide team with the chance to gain and grow in a range of ways.

Sense of purpose – We offer a unique opportunity to be part of a humanitarian effort with a unified purpose, mission and intensity similar to military service.

Part of a community – As an extension of the ‘tribe’ philosophy that exists in military and emergency services organisations, we understand the need for community cohesion and support during difficult times.

Identity – We provide an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself. If you’re a military veteran, you can rekindle a sense of belonging and mateship and feel highly valued.

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Benefits of volunteering

Operational deployments

Deploy on disaster relief operations in Australia and worldwide, making a difference to communities and each other. If you have trained for war, you will excel in a disaster.

Service projects

Propose or engage in short term projects to address a local community need. From helping war widows to assisting entire communities, our volunteers see a problem, and a solution.

Training

Participate in a broad range of general and specialist training opportunities. From drone and imagery analysis to incident command systems and volunteer management, our training keeps us at the cutting edge.

Professional development

Whether you are an experienced military leader or a specialist in your field, our professional development opportunities can challenge you, help you grow and enhance career opportunities.

Wellbeing

Improve your physical and mental wellbeing by delivering valuable and much needed support to the most vulnerable and disaster affected communities.

Employment opportunities

Launch or progress your career in the field of disaster relief by volunteering first. Whilst a volunteer-based organisation, opportunities for part-time and full-time employment are often available.

Craig Barber

Disaster Relief Australia is a one-of-a-kind organisation that is extremely well run and has the community at the forefront of its mind at all times. I highly recommend becoming part of the tribe and volunteering through Disaster Relief Australia, for anyone who wants to help and feels like they just have more to give.

Craig Barber Read their story
Phil Wharton

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 Read their story
DRA testmonial

I’ve gotten a lot of personal satisfaction out of coming in and seeing our efforts actually come to fruition and seeing families and communities start to take that step to get on the road to recovery.

Nurse Michelle Read their story
DRA Tree cutting

Our operations

DRA have built an incredible capability providing unparalleled relief assistance across a full range of global disasters. We are proud of our history and accomplishments and continue to respond to recovery efforts post disaster right across Australia.

View our operations

FAQs

Who volunteers with DRA?

Military veterans, emergency responders and motivated civilians join and deploy with DRA on domestic and international operations, all with a commitment to serve those in need. Please note, our volunteer positions are unpaid. We are extremely grateful for our volunteers’ time, experience and commitment to this shared cause.

Volunteering with DRA is tough, dirty and rewarding beyond measure. But don’t take our word for it. Read reflections from our Volunteers directly by clicking here!

Deployments can be challenging work and emotionally confronting in disaster affected communities. Being physically and mentally fit for task is important, particularly if working for continuous days in austere conditions. We need to look after safety of self as we provide service to those in need.

If you are a new volunteer, you can sign up via our Expression of Interest form. If you are an existing DRA volunteer, check that your Muster profile is deployment ready, all skills and qualifications are up to date and your emergency contact details are correct. To streamline our processes a singular operational expression of interest will be current for all active operations. You will be able to select your preferred operation via this form, including length of deployment, and if you need help with your Muster profile you can let us know. To further prepare for deployment and know what to expect, all volunteers must complete the Online Core Operations Course prior via our online training portal. prior via our online training portal.

Meals, barracks style accommodation and personal protective equipment (PPE); DRA transportation from designated RV zones to the forward operating base; and flights from major airports depending on the operations budget.

Taxis, ride-share, airport parking or private transport to and from designated RV zones.

As volunteers are not DRA employees, they are not covered by workers compensation. The first recourse of injury cover is Medicare and/or Department of Veterans Affairs (as relevant). Any out-of-pocket expenses not covered can then be submitted through DRAs Volunteer Insurance Policy.

In accordance with the nationwide relaxation of COVID-19 vaccination mandates, DRA removed the pre-deployment requirement for volunteers to be vaccinated. Volunteers who are symptomatic will be prevented from deploying and DRA will continue to strictly enforce isolation and testing of members with symptoms during operations. DRA continues to recommend all members are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and seasonal influenza due to the proven public health and personal safety benefits. We will also monitor the public health situation and revise internal policies accordingly.

All volunteers are reminded to keep tetanus injections up to date, ideally from within the past 5 years.

If you are from outside of Australia, you can register as a DRA volunteer. However please note the following:

  • International volunteers are not covered under DRA’s insurance policy and therefore must have their own insurance to deploy. You will need to provide DRA with evidence of insurance coverage prior to deployment.
  • DRA will only cover travel costs from the time you are actively launched on an operation i.e. board the flight that we have arranged to access the Area of Operation (AO). We will not cover any travel costs to and from Australia.
  • DRA will cover the cost of accommodation and food while in the AO but are unable to cover the cost or provide you with the personal gear necessary to deploy.
  • DRA does not provide migration support, including visa applications and status.

Everyone has a legislated duty of care to reasonably:

  • take care of their own health and safety
  • take care to ensure they don’t affect the health and safety of other people i.e. volunteers, members of the public or clients being assisted
  • comply with any reasonable instruction given by DRA
  • cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure provided by DRA.

Our membership team are contactable to provide more information and assist with your enquiry.

DRA Education

Ready to become a volunteer?

Whether or not you’ve served in uniform, come join us keep communities safe, get residents back into their homes and help people rebuild their lives. With Disaster Relief Teams in every state and territory, you can volunteer in your local area or express an interest to deploy on national and international operations.

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Contact us

Deploying with DRA and supporting disaster affected communities is rewarding beyond measure. Through volunteering, corporate partnerships, financial donations or working with us, there are many ways to make a positive contribution and become a force for good.

Get in touch