Volunteering Opportunities

Social Support Volunteer – Commonwealth Home Support Program:

Care, empower and connect with our social support program

St John SA offers a range of social outings and accompanied activities options to clients accessing the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Outings are designed to keep clients active and engaged within their communities. Social outings can include:

• Art galleries and museums
• Garden centres
• Beach walks
• Coffee and cake outings
• Places of interest
• Movies and the arts
• Accompanied shopping
• Accompaniment to appointments

Start your Journey

To start your journey as a Social Support Volunteer you must have a valid Australian driver’s license, access to a vehicle that is comprehensively insured and maintains roadworthiness. Our volunteers demonstrate empathy and compassion towards older people and a willingness to support a range of activities.

Training:

• Community Care Induction 
• Provide First Aid course
• Monthly training related to the Aged Care Sector (e.g. Aged Care Standards, Manual handling, Dementia, Cyber Safety etc)
• Mental Health First Aid course (optional)

Your Role

• Provide practical support to socially isolated individuals.
• Time commitment: 2-4 hrs per week or fortnight per client. Volunteers can choose flexible hours ranging from 2 hours to 2 days per week.
• Independence and teamwork: Operate independently to ensure your clients remain safely connected with their community, supported by a team of like-minded individuals.
• Safety: Volunteer work insurance provides peace of mind to you and your client.
• Benefits: Access to ongoing training and personal development, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) – Home Care and Residential: 

This program supports regular volunteer visits to give friendship and companionship to older people.

We want volunteers to be supported in their essential role in the aged care system, supporting older people to live meaningful lives and building social connections that prevent social isolation and loneliness.

Start your journey 

To start your journey as an ACVVS volunteer, you must be willing to maintain regular contact with a client either in their own home or residential aged care facility. We have options metro-wide, so we can find something that fits in with your availability and location.

Training Modules:

• Community Care Induction 
• Provide First Aid course
• Monthly training related to the Aged Care Sector (e.g. Aged Care Standards, Manual handling, Dementia, Cyber Safety etc)
• Mental Health First Aid course (optional)

Your Role

• Provide meaningful connection to socially isolated individuals. 
• Time commitment: 1-2 hrs per week or fortnight per client. 
• Collaborative: Operate independently to ensure your clients build meaningful connections, within a supportive environment. 
• Safety: Volunteer worker insurance provides peace of mind to you and your client.
• Benefits: Access to ongoing training and personal development, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Community Transport Driver:

Our Community Transport Program is designed to meet the need to access reliable transport by providing door-to-door service to those who cannot access alternative means of transportation. Our dedicated volunteers ensure individuals’ wellbeing during their journey. This service can be used to access:

• Medical appointments
• Community services
• Unassisted shopping

Start your journey 

To be a Community Transport volunteer, you must have a current Australian driver’s licence, be confident to drive in all areas across metropolitan Adelaide, be willing to undertake a volunteer driver induction, undergo a medical and commit one full day a week or fortnight. 

Training Modules:

• Community Care Induction 
• Volunteer Driver Accreditation Program 
• Provide First Aid course
• Monthly training related to the Aged Care Sector (e.g. Aged Care Standards, Manual handling, Dementia, Cyber Safety etc)
• Mental Health First Aid course (optional)

Your Role

• Provide safe and reliable transport to individuals that are transport-disadvantaged
• Time commitment: 1 full day per week/fortnight on rotating roster/flexibility for fill-in shifts
• Independence and teamwork 
• Safety: Volunteer worker insurance provides peace of mind to you and your client
• Benefits: Access to ongoing training and personal development, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Event Medic:

Event Medics provide primary clinical care to patients at events, working within approved clinical protocols and as part of a skilled health and medical services team. You will be supported to work independently at low and medium-risk events, with supervision provided at high-risk events. Full training is provided, including 5 full day workshops delivered over a 2-month period.

A fast-track Event Medic pathway is also available for Paramedic students in their 2nd year of study or higher.

Training:

• Event Medic Training Course (5 days)
• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment:  A minimum of 5-10 event hours per month, or 60 event hours per year, plus regular training sessions, and availability to support high-risk events and state emergency deployments.

Health Care Students:

Our Health Care Students are given the opportunity to volunteer, learn and grow alongside qualified Nurses, Paramedics and Doctors in a supportive event health and medical environment.

You will assist with patient care, build confidence in real-world settings, and gain valuable experience and mentorship from experienced clinical professionals.

Students in their 2nd year of study or higher may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or fast-track training to become an Event Medic.

Training:

• Event Medic Training Course (5 days) or Event Medic Fast Track Course (2-3 days)
• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment:  A minimum of 5-10 event hours per month, or 60 event hours per year, plus regular training sessions. We offer flexible rostering around study schedules, with opportunities to assist at high-risk events and during state emergency deployments.

Ambulance Officers:

We recognise the HLT41120 Certificate IV in Health Care qualification. As a qualified Ambulance Officer, you will provide emergency medical care at events and may assist with non-emergency patient transport. Utilising advanced life support and trauma skills, you will collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary team at events and emergency deployments. Additionally, you will support and mentor Students and Event Medics.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training..

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month, or 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Registered Nurses:

Registered Nurses who are AHPRA registered can apply to be credentialled as a St John Nurse. You are then authorised to use your approved nursing scope of practice within the St John SA credentialling framework to provide clinical care at events. You will collaborate with other Healthcare Professionals to provide clinical supervision at events and mentoring Health Care Students, Event Medics and Event Responders.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month / 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Registered Paramedics:

Paramedics who are AHPRA registered can apply to be credentialled as a St John Paramedic. You are then authorised to use your approved Paramedic scope of practice to provide advanced pre-hospital emergency care within the St John SA credentialling framework. You will collaborate with other Healthcare Professionals to provide clinical supervision at events and mentoring Health Care Students, Event Medics and Event Responders.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month / 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Doctors:

Doctors who are AHPRA registered can apply to be credentialled as a St John Doctor. You are then authorised to use your approved Medical Practitioner scope of practice to provide medical care at events. You will lead and support medical teams, liaise and refer patients to further care, whilst providing clinical supervision.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month / 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and may elect to provide on-call clinical support.  

Youth Helpers and Leaders:

As a youth helper or leader, you will volunteer your time to assist with running the youth development program. This role is a rewarding experience where you can positively impact, learn new skills and engage with your local community to build their future leaders. Youth teams train every week for 2 hours during the school terms. The training program included first aid, leadership, and interest badges delivered in a fun, hands-on manner. If you are interested in volunteering with young people and are passionate about developing your community's future leaders, apply now! If you have a background in education or healthcare or are a parent, grandparent or older sibling, that’s a bonus!

Training

• Leadership Development
• Child Safety and Protection
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.

Time commitment: Available to attend weekly 2-hour youth training nights during school terms.  

Operations Support:

Our Operations Support Volunteers are the heart of what happens behind the scenes, helping keep our teams, vehicles, equipment and services ready for the community.

This role is ideal for people who enjoy practical, hands-on work and have weekday availability. Each shift is different. You might help prepare fleet vehicles, restock kits, pick and pack supplies, assist with deliveries, support patient transport operations, set up for events, or help with emergency management preparedness.

You will gain valuable operational experience, build practical skills, and be part of a supportive team contributing to major South Australian events and essential community services.

Time commitment:
Preferred days are Tuesday to Thursday, with Monday and Friday also available. Shifts are available between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, with a minimum availability of 3 hours. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least 1 shift per fortnight.

What we provide:
Full induction, free training, WHS compliant uniform, lunch during shifts, approved kilometre reimbursement, and no out-of-pocket expenses for approved volunteering activities. You may also have opportunities to support events and services across South Australia.

Requirements:
You will need a current car licence, P2 or above, and your own steel cap boots. Experience in warehousing, manual handling, forklift operation, truck driving or first aid is helpful, but not essential.

Volunteer Leadership Opportunities:

Our volunteer teams are supported through a hub-based leadership model, designed to provide local guidance, coordination and connection for volunteers. Each hub is supported by a group of volunteer leaders who work together to help with team operations, event coordination, clinical training and volunteer engagement. These leadership opportunities allow volunteers to contribute to the smooth running of their hub while helping create a positive, organised and supportive environment for the wider team.

Volunteer leadership roles are a great opportunity to develop your skills, support others, and play an active part in shaping strong, connected and capable volunteer teams. St John provides a platform to grow personally and professionally, contribute to meaningful community service, and make a lasting impact on volunteer operations across South Australia.

Historical Society: Historical Society volunteers work tirelessly to collect, manage, preserve and research artefacts that reflect the history of the Order of St John and St John Ambulance. Many of these elements are on display in the St John SA Historical Museum, which is open for members of the public to enjoy. If you are interested in preserving our history, we want to hear from you!

St John Band:

The St John Brass Band rehearses at our Elizabeth Centre and provides musical entertainment at official functions, award ceremonies, and local community events. This dedicated group of volunteers brings joy and enrichment through their performances, representing St John with pride and talent.