International student volunteer initiative: a guide to volunteering for international students

This guide provides information for international students about volunteering, including what volunteering involves and how it can support learning, connection and experience while studying. It outlines key considerations to help international students understand volunteering in the Australian context.

The resource is designed to support volunteer managers and Volunteering Involving Organisations by helping international students better understand volunteering expectations, pathways and next steps.

Benefits for volunteer managers

• supports clearer understanding of volunteering among international students.
• helps set expectations before students commence volunteering.
• supports positive volunteer transitions and completion.
• contributes to more informed and confident student volunteers.

How to apply this resource

This guide is most useful when sharing information with international students who are exploring volunteering or concluding their volunteering experience, to support understanding and appropriate transitions.