Volunteering Australia defines formal volunteering as an activity which takes place in not-for-profit programs or projects and is undertaken: to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer; of the volunteer’s free will and without coercion; for no financial payment; and in designated volunteer positions only.  More broadly speaking, volunteering is a way for people to connect with community, for whatever reasons. 

At TRAMS, as a volunteer, you will be given a specific task or tasks to perform.  These will be based on your volunteer questionnaire and the time you are able to spend at TRAMS, or in the community.

All volunteers are required to go through a formal recruitment process so that TRAMS can be sure that both the volunteer and TRAMS will benefit from the relationship. 

Once the volunteer has contacted the TRAMS office, he or she will have an interview and screening process ( blue card, free to volunteers).  Successful volunteers will then complete an orientation.  

Volunteers are required to undertake Orientation Training.  Volunteers will also receive specific on-the-job training to provide them with the information and skills necessary to perform in their chosen area of support.    

Volunteers are invited, from time to time, to undertake further professional development training.

Volunteering at TRAMS is designed to be beneficial to both the volunteer and to our refugees and migrants. Volunteers determine the amount of time they wish to spend and the jobs they wish to do.

On Arrival Assistance to Humanitarian Entrants

Humanitarian entrants' on-arrival needs are considerable, and volunteers play a significant role in helping them gain the basic skills necessary to adjust to their new surroundings. A warm welcome and practical assistance with unfamiliar tasks can help new arrivals to settle, particularly when they first arrive in Australia. DIMA, A Volunteer's Guide, Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council., (2005) p.8

English as a Second Language Team

ESL Group Facilitators, with the support of ESL assistants, provide regular tuition to a small group of refugees and migrants (all resources provided). English as a Second Language Assistants help the ESL group facilitators provide regular English language tutoring to Refugees and Migrants (no professional qualifications required).

Child Care Volunteers

Child Care Volunteers look after the children in a 0-4 age group for a period of two hours whilst their mothers access English tuition. (Tuesday and/or Wednesday and/or Thursday).

Homework Tutoring

Tutors provide tuition to selected primary students on a Thursday afternoon 3.15pm-4.15pm and to secondary students on a Monday evening 6pm-7.30pm.

General Volunteering

If you have any particular skill, trade or expertise e.g. handyman, van driver, IT support or real estate experience in property management, please contact us.

If you have professional expertise that you would like to offer to our clients on a pro bono basis such as law, physio, medicine, speech therapy or dentistry, please contact us.