Join our dedicated event volunteers workforce
Register as an event volunteerHelp make Melbourne’s big events more inclusive!
Melbourne is home to some very special events. But getting to, from and around event sites is not easy for everyone.
Travellers Aid’s dedicated event volunteers help people with mobility impairments make the most of their event experiences.
As part of our well-trained events team, you will offer a friendly helping hand to people with a physical disability, older patrons or those with ill-health or an injury.
You will also assist people with less visible disabilities – such as sensory processing differences, autism and anxiety – by offering safe and supportive chill-out spaces.
On this page you’ll learn about:
- event volunteering opportunities.
- how Travellers Aid helps at events.
- event volunteer roles and responsibilities.
- benefits of event volunteering with Travellers Aid.
- why it’s more than a one-off experience.
- what’s involved in becoming an events volunteer.
- transferable skills and development opportunities.
- a bit about Travellers Aid.
- how to sign up.
Event volunteering opportunities
Travellers Aid offers an exciting range of opportunities and comprehensive training to people interested in event volunteering in Melbourne.
Our full list of events featuring our access and inclusion services changes each year, but this is where we helped in 2022:
- The Australian Open tennis at Melbourne Park
- Anzac Day at the Shrine of Remembrance
- Moomba festivities in Melbourne’s CBD
- Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show at the Royal Exhibition Gardens
‘We would struggle coming to the Australian Open but your service made it a breeze. Everyone has been so helpful.’ – Travellers Aid service user.
Volunteering opportunities near you.
Interested in volunteering at some of Melbourne’s most popular sporting events?
Want to be part of history at the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Perhaps you’d like to help others access the much-loved St Kilda Festival?
All of the above? Great!
We are currently working towards offering our access and inclusion services at these and other major events across our Melbourne, Seymour and Ballarat service hubs. Register your interest to stay in the loop about our expanding event support schedule.
How does Travellers Aid help out at events?
Event organisers know there are many people who would like to enjoy their event, but need extra help and support to do so. Travellers Aid is an Australian registered charity that works with event organisers to make their events more accessible and inclusive.
Our range of free and low-cost event access and inclusion services give more people independent and dignified access to everything Melbourne has to offer.
Across all our events in 2022, Travellers Aid event staff and volunteers:
- transported more than 650 people by buggy.
- transported more than 200 people by wheelchair.
- hired out more than 200 items of mobility equipment.
- provided more than 500 instances of personal help.
- handed out more than 250 Hidden Disabilities lanyards, wristband and pins to patrons as part of the Sunflower network.
‘I think Travellers Aid is a wonderful mechanism to provide people with independence where they might not venture out of the house…and gives them a sense of not being isolated because they know there will be someone there to assist them.’ – Travellers Aid volunteer.
Event volunteer roles and responsibilities
As an event-trained volunteer you will keep busy:
- connecting people from public transport, taxis or private parking to event entry points.
- helping people to and from allocated seating.
- providing personal guidance around the event site.
- hiring out mobility equipment including wheelchairs, electric scooters, walking frames and prams.
- giving directions within event sites to help people find toilets, food vendors, attractions and meeting points.
- offering a friendly face to tired or overwhelmed event-goers needing some time out.
- assisting people leaving the event to reconnect with their mode of transport.
‘It was the first time I have been able to leave my home in 2 years. Very happy. Thank you.’ – Travellers Aid service user.
Benefits of volunteering at events
When you join our dedicated events crew, you can expect the known benefits of volunteering to turn up a notch.
You will, of course, feel happier and healthier as you help your community while acting on your values, making friendships and learning new skills.
But as part of the events team, there’s even more.
Think free access to Melbourne’s hottest tickets and extra incentives as our way of saying thank you on behalf of our service users.
Here’s a peek at the 2022 goody bag of perks and benefits our event volunteers enjoyed:
- free event access on the day of volunteering
- Tennis Australia branded polo shirt, shell jacket and cap
- meal cards
- Myki day passes or Myki money top-ups
- Uber vouchers for late-finishing shifts
- Australian Open day pass (after completing three, 7-hour shifts)
And the list of benefits grows along with our expanding event support schedule.
More than a one-off volunteering experience
Travellers Aid is creating a dedicated event volunteer workforce.
We provide ongoing training to give you confidence in your ability to provide the best support to our service users.
This means people who book our event services can count on receiving reliable and consistent quality at every event they choose to attend, knowing the Travellers Aid volunteer crew has their back.
What’s involved in becoming a Travellers Aid events volunteer?
To ensure you are ready to hit the ground running, we like to begin preparing new volunteers at least one month before an event.
After you register your interest we will contact you for a casual phone chat to answer any questions you might have and see if you’d be a good fit for our team.
Next is an in-person or Zoom interview before starting the welcome and induction process.
This involves:
- external compliance checks including Working with Children Check, Police (Crim) Check, and International Police Check (if applicable).
- internal Travellers Aid requirements including Confidentiality Agreement, Code of Conduct Policy, OH&S Policy, Volunteer Insurance Coverage and Talent Release form.
- training.
If you have any questions about the induction and training process, or require further information, please contact Arnie Bax by phone or email.
Transferable training and skill development
Our event volunteer roles and training offer great work experience for medical, nursing and allied health students. These opportunities are also ideal for people interested in disability support or aged care, including those studying the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community).
Training provided to event volunteers includes:
- Disability Awareness Training.
- Autism Training.
- Occupational Health and Safety Training (such as safe wheelchair use).
- Buggy Driver Training (if required).
- specific pre-event briefings.
Share your precious time with an established and trusted local charity
When you volunteer with Travellers Aid you join an Australian registered charity that has supported safe and independent travel in Victoria for more than 100 years.
Our partnerships and services make a difference in people’s lives and help connect communities.
Your contribution as a volunteer makes it possible.
Find out more about how event volunteers have been central to Travellers Aid’s history.
