Are you community minded and have a passion for children’s education? Do you long to contribute, but just don’t know where to begin? Whatever your skill level, your life experience and passion are valued – the rest we can assist you with.
At BushED our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation. Our volunteers help us bring our passion for education to the families and children in rural and remote isolated places around Australia.
We welcome volunteers who are current or retired educators with a love of teaching, who want to share that dedication and passion with isolated children. As a volunteer, you’ll be supported to get to and from your home base, in return for staying on farm / station a minimum of 30 days to to help educate our outback kids.
If you’d like to volunteer with BushED, we require you to register so one of our volunteer management team will be in contact.
Below we’ve listed a few questions and answers we’ve received in the past. If you don’t see an answer to a question submit it or call us on 1800 287 433
All Volunteers – Please be aware that our process will require the relevant State Government issued Blue Card / Working with Children to complete your application.
Special Covid Message
“BushED wishes to advise that due to COVID restrictions, all volunteers must comply with any and all government directives and failure to do so will see BushED withdraw insurance coverage and remove the volunteer from a placement. For the safety of all parties, we may ask to see proof of movements via provision of tracing app history”.
Click here to register as a volunteer with BushED
How do I register?
How do I know what positions are available?
Once your application has met all requirements you will have access to a Jobs
Board on the website
How do I apply for a placement?
Follow the Jobs Board prompts and press the Apply for Job button. This will send an email to the job poster as well as BushED admin.
Can my partner accompany me?
Yes, we encourage it. They may even become your Aide.
How do I know if my offer has been successful?
You will be informed by email.
Why do I need to indicate my professional skill areas?
Families with special needs will make decisions based on what you have told them. For example you may be a Speech Therapist, Reading Recovery trained.
What do I need to do before I leave?
Make sure that you are physically able to travel and work. Make sure that your Working with Children clearances are appropriate. Contact the family and establish times and any other queries you may have. The family will have queries too.
Can I bring my pets with me?
Ask the family, farm dogs are not pets.
How do I find out the needs of the child?
Talk to parents and seek advice from them as to who else may be involved in their child’s education.
How do I know the child’s strengths and weaknesses?
See above
Can I approach the SDE for information about the child?
This must be negotiated between you and the parent in conjunction with the SDE.
Will the SDE know I am coming?
Only if they are told. Ask parents to do so. It is a common courtesy on your part anyway.
Will the SDE be happy with me assisting the child?
In general terms they will be happy to have any assistance for their pupils but remember that they are responsible for the entire year’s work so our job is to assist not interfere
Can I alter the Education program of the child?
See above but the short answer is NO.
How do I claim my travelling expenses?
Keep your fuel receipts and submit them to Bushed using the form on the website anytime within six months of your placement and you will be reimbursed up to the $1,000 offered. These funds come from Bushed and are the only ones available for travel.
Will I be insured while I am volunteering with Bushed Australia?
You will be covered by Bushed’s volunteer insurance policy if you receive written confirmation of your appointment from Bushed. If you organise a placement directly with a family with Bushed acceptance you WILL NOT BE COVERED. Bushed will only cover you while you are in residence with the family and not your travel to and from your placement address.