Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)

The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) will come into effect on 1 July . Council is legislated to collect this levy on behalf of the Victorian Government through the annual rates notice. Find out more >

Volunteering

About

Looking for a way to give back and connect with the community? One of the many volunteering groups in Cardinia Shire may be for you!

Whether you’re interested in gardening and the environment, sports and recreation, or just want to give back to the community, there is a volunteering opportunity for everyone. 

If you are looking to volunteer for a local not-for-profit or community group, you can search our volunteers directory. 

Search for a volunteer role

Council supports its many volunteers in many ways including:

  • workshops and information sessions
  • subsidised training
  • volunteering job opportunities.

Training calendar for volunteers and community organisations

Council offers a range of free or subsidised training for volunteers to support our volunteer community organisations such as sporting clubs, neighbourhood houses, community asset committees and many more.

Register now to attend an upcoming session:

Volunteer Training Workshop: Project Management Essentials

Date: Wednesday 6th August 2025 

Time: 6:30pm - 9pm 

Location: Council Chambers, Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre, 20 Siding Ave, Officer 

Every successful program or project is based on great design and loads of planning and the planning of a project takes focus and creativity. So how does one design a project that is successful, on time, on budget and achieves all of the goals set? It’s a big ask when there are limited resources. This workshop will assist committees to avoid common project plan faults and maximise resources for a better chance of success. It will also help those who apply for grants to have a solid base for including in grant applications, so funders can see everything is ready to go.

Topics include:

  • Defining the project and its benefit to the community
  • Creating the project or program plan
  • Assessing risk in new programs and determine their viability
  • Identifying program opportunity risks
  • Building program budgets
  • Utilising project management tools
  • Understanding the role of evaluations and its importance when managing a project

To register, please fill out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/zQpVmHZXRr

Free training videos for volunteers

Non Profit Training produced a series of free educational volunteer training videos designed to educate and empower nonprofit organisations. 

These engaging resources provide essential skills and knowledge, helping volunteers maximise their impact and enhance their contributions to the community. 

Watch the training videos

Subsidised training for volunteers

We offer a volunteer training program each term, which is offered by local neighbourhood houses, community centres and Universities of the Third Age (U3A) at a subsidised rate (conditions apply).

The following courses will be available throughout the year:

  • food handling
  • basic bookkeeping
  • first aid and CPR
  • various computer courses.

For details of available programs and fees and to apply for a subsidised place, please contact the relevant training provider directly.

Recruit volunteers for your organisation

  • If your not-for-profit organisation is looking for support from volunteers, please submit the role and we will post it in our volunteering opportunities directory. 
  • The directory is a free service to not-for-profit organisations based in Cardinia Shire, or that service Cardinia Shire residents.

Submit a volunteer opportunity

Annual event for volunteer organisations

  • More than 500 volunteer organisations work to make Cardinia Shire a great place to live, so in May every year we celebrate our volunteers through a volunteer reception at Cardinia Cultural Centre.
  • Each year, invitations to attend the volunteer reception are sent to 2 representatives from not-for-profit groups. To ensure representatives from your organisation are invited, please confirm your organisation's contact details are correct in our community directory.
  • We hold the volunteer reception in May, to coincide with National Volunteer Week

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