Generally speaking if a person’s visa allows them to do paid work then they would automatically be able to volunteer. The only visas that need checking are those visas where paid work is not allowed. Refer to the links below for more information on specific visa categories. For more information on visitors from overseas wishing to volunteer it is best to refer to the Department of Immigration & Citizenship website. Some volunteer roles may require a Police Check and/or a Working with Children check.

• Tourist visas
• ETA Visitor (subclass 976)
• Working holiday visa
• Student guardian visa (legislative amendment – people can work or volunteer up to 3 months)
• Student visas – students during term time can spend up to 20 hours per week either volunteering or doing paid work or a combination of the two but during holidays and after graduation there is no limit
• Temporary Protection Visas, fact sheet 64. As TPVs have ‘work entitlements’ this mean they can do paid work which means they can also volunteer without any trouble.
• Assistance for Asylum Seekers in Australia, fact sheet 62. Again people can undertake paid work (see work entitlements).