Volunteering for Work Experience — How It Can Help You Land Your First Skilled Job

If you’ve been applying for jobs and not hearing back, the problem might not be your skills — it might be your lack of local experience. For many international students, recent graduates, and skilled migrants, this is one of the biggest barriers to getting hired in Australia.

The good news? Volunteering for work experience can bridge that gap faster than you think.

In this guide, you’ll learn why volunteering works, how to choose the right opportunities, and how to use them to turn your resume into a job-winning asset.

Why Employers Value Local Experience

Employers want reassurance that you can work effectively in the Australian workplace. Even if you’ve worked in the same role overseas, they may worry about:

Understanding of local work culture and communication styles
Knowledge of industry regulations and standards in Australia
Ability to work in diverse, multicultural teams

Volunteering gives you a way to demonstrate all of this — without waiting for someone to take a chance on you in a paid role.

How Volunteering Builds Your Career Foundation

Adds Credible Experience to Your Resume

When you volunteer in an organisation that’s relevant to your industry, it shows initiative and adds local references. Even short-term volunteering projects can fill an employment gap.

Expands Your Professional Network

Many job opportunities are filled through referrals. Volunteering introduces you to people who can recommend you for paid positions.

Builds Soft Skills in a Local Context

Skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving become more valuable when you can show you’ve used them in an Australian workplace.

Choosing the Right Volunteering Opportunities

Not all volunteering is created equal. For maximum impact:

Aim for industry relevance — If you’re in IT, look for community tech projects or website support roles.
Choose organisations with credibility — Well-known non-profits, charities, or professional associations add weight to your resume.
Seek skill-based roles — Avoid roles that don’t develop relevant skills unless they open valuable networking doors.

How to Present Volunteering on Your Resume

List your volunteering roles just like paid positions:

Job title (e.g., “Volunteer Marketing Assistant”)
Organisation name
Dates of involvement
Achievements and responsibilities

Example:

Developed a social media content plan for a community organisation, increasing engagement by 35% in three months.

Turning Volunteering Into a Job Offer

The ultimate goal of volunteering for work experience is to secure a paid position. Here’s how to improve your chances:

Treat it like a paid job — Show professionalism, reliability, and commitment.
Ask for feedback — Use it to improve your skills and performance.
Let people know your career goals — Make it clear you’re seeking paid work in your field.

Combining Volunteering with Other Strategies

Volunteering alone won’t guarantee a job — but it’s powerful when combined with:

A tailored resume for every application
An optimised LinkedIn profile that showcases your volunteer experience
Targeted networking to tap into the hidden job market
Continuous upskilling through short courses and certifications

Get Your First Skilled Job Faster

If you want a step-by-step plan to land a skilled job in Australia, even with no local experience, download the Skilled Job Starter Kit. It’s the free resource that’s helped hundreds of international students and migrants get interviews and job offers faster.

Inside, you’ll get:

An ATS-friendly resume template
A cover letter template that gets noticed
A LinkedIn checklist to boost recruiter trust
Interview strategies to turn offers into jobs

Get it free: https://www.theaho.co/free

FAQs

Can volunteering really help me get a job?
Yes. It builds your local experience, expands your network, and gives you references — all of which employers value.

How long should I volunteer before applying for paid jobs?
Even a few weeks can help, but 2–3 months of consistent volunteering in a relevant role makes a stronger impact.

Should I volunteer outside my industry?
If no relevant roles are available, any volunteering that builds transferable skills and connections can still help.