Aged Care - Your Year to Volunteer

Volunteering in aged care has a real and lasting impact on the lives of older Australians and the communities around them. Your contribution might involve driving someone to a medical appointment or the shops, helping out with group activities, spending time chatting with residents in aged care homes, or delivering meals to people in their own homes.

Many volunteer roles involve a regular commitment, but they’re designed to be flexible—so you can take holidays or adjust your days when life gets busy.

You don’t need formal qualifications to get started. What truly matters is empathy, clear communication, and a genuine desire to support older people. To volunteer in aged care, you’ll need to complete a National Police Check and take part in some basic training to understand your responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 2024. This helps ensure you feel confident, informed, and ready for your role.

There are lots of resources for volunteers and volunteer coordinators on the Aged Care Volunteering Hub.

Each week during April-May 2026, in partnership with The Leader newspaper, we will share the stories of local volunteers who are currently delivering much-needed support to older people.

This support means that older people can stay connected with their community, and for many, it means they can maintain their independence and continue to live in the home they love.

With a growing older population, the need for volunteering is constant and growing.

Be inspired by the following stories and make this year your year to volunteer in aged care!