The Australian Volunteers program recognises the contribution that immediate family can make whilst supporting a volunteer on assignment. Accordingly, a limited amount of financial support is budgeted for each year to support dependant partners and children on assignments with a duration of 12 months or more.This support could be in the form of airfares, insurance, medical expenses, or a supplementary living allowance, and is approved on a case by case basis.

If you and your partner wish to volunteer together, we suggest that you find two assignments in the same location for which you want to apply and for which you each have the applicable skills and experience. When submitting your application, please make a note in the Assignment Application Form to inform us that you have both applied for assignments.

In the event that only one of you is successful in your assignment application, you may then be able to apply for dependant support for your partner instead. As the Australian Volunteers program is driven by the needs of the Host Organisations, we are not able to develop an assignment specifically to suit your partner’s skills.

Dependants are also supported in the pre-departure process. Dependant partners and children over the age of 15 are invited to attend Pre-Departure Briefing at the cost of the program, to enable them to receive training and important information before mobilising with you.