The top 8 benefits of volunteering while studying

Nearly 6 million Australians volunteer each year through various organisations. Besides giving back to the community, volunteering is a smart way to gain professional local experience, develop new skills, make new connections and work in different organisations. You don't need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to volunteer. While international students can only work up to 48 hours of paid work a fortnight, the limit does not apply to unpaid volunteer work.

In this blog, we will explain the top 8 benefits of volunteering while studying, how to include volunteer experience in your resume and how to balance volunteering with study commitments.

1. Enhance your employability

Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to gain work experience in Australia - and there are many organisations looking for volunteers.

If you are trying to get your first job, changing industries, or re-entering the workforce in a new country, volunteering can bridge that gap. Seeing volunteer work on your resume tells an employer that you're proactive, responsible and motivated. It shows them you can manage your time well, take initiative and care about making a positive impact in your community. It's a sign that you have a growth mindset; willing to learn new things about yourself and the world around you and seeing problems as opportunities and persisting through obstacles.

Employers look out for people who will fit into their culture. If you share the same values and interests to the rest of the team or passionate about their organisation's cause, it can increase your chances of getting an interview.

75% of hiring managers agree that volunteer experience is an advantage in a job interview.

- Seek

To find volunteering opportunities, go to your university career hub, join a club or society, enquire at local charities or check outSeek VolunteerandGoVolunteer.

2. Apply theory to practice

Your course at university may focus more on theory and technical knowledge and volunteering gives you opportunities to apply it. When choosing a volunteer role, try to find something that aligns within your future career (also known as skilled volunteering). This reinforces what you're learning, gives you hands-on experience in your field, and makes it easier to explain to an employer how your skills and experience are relevant to their job requirements.

Here are some examples.

Marketing students

Theory: Marketing strategies, social media, branding

Practice: Help a local charity manage their social media accounts or create a campaign to promote a fundraising event applying concepts such as target audience, content planning and engagement.

IT students

Theory: Coding, website development, data management

Practice: Build or update a website for a non-profit, fix technical issues or create a framework for data warehousing.

Hospitality / tourism students

Theory: Customer service, event planning

Practice: Volunteer at community events or fundraisers where you interact with patrons, manage bookings or coordinate logistics.

TOP TIP

The key is to be intentional - don't just volunteer for any role, think about what skills you're using and how they're connected with your career path.

3. Build real-world transferable skills

Besides putting theory to practice, volunteering gives you opportunities to develop transferable skills such as leadership capabilities, communication, problem-solving, time management, adaptability and resilience. You may work with or help diverse groups of people; enhancing your emotional and cultural intelligence.

For example, organising a community event helps you develop project management, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Working at a charity store can help you build communication and multitasking skills.

Go behind the scenes with our student, Abigail, who volunteered at Wesley Mission.

4. Expand your professional network

Volunteering introduces you to professionals in different industries, community leaders, potential mentors and referees and other like-minded people. These connections may lead to internships and paid jobs in the future and provide you with feedback and insights throughout your career.

Many job opportunities in Australia come through referrals and professional connections. Volunteering allows you to build relationships organically – not just through professional networking events and online platforms.

5. Transition to a new work environment

Starting your career can feel intimidating, especially if it's in a new country. The work environment will have different expectations, communication styles and professional norms. Volunteering is a great way to transition. You'll gain confidence by speaking with new people, working in teams with local professionals, taking responsibility and solving real business problems.

Hear from our student, Prabina, who volunteered at our graduation ceremony and orientation.

6. Gain local experience 

Many international students (especially postgraduates) have strong academic backgrounds and professional experience from their home countries. However, one common barrier when applying for roles in Australia is not having enough local experience. Volunteering will give you the opportunity to step inside a local organisation, help you understand Australian workplace culture, improve your English communication skills, learn about local communities, and build local work experience for future job applications.

7. Explore career interests 

If you're unsure of what career path is right for you, then volunteering allows you to try different industries without a long-term commitment. You will find out the demands of your industry, what you enjoy (or don't enjoy), discover a passion and clarify your career goals. This will help you save time and make smarter decisions.

8. Support your mental wellbeing

University life can sometimes feel stressful or isolating. Volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and achievement beyond assignments and exams. Other benefits of helping others include:

• Reducing stress through meaningful contributions 

• Building friendships and social connections 

• Creating a stronger sense of belonging

Being part of something bigger than yourself can positively impact your mental health and overall wellbeing.

Hear from our students, Marj and Maryet, who share their reasons for volunteering.

How to add volunteer experience in your resume

• Highlight your skills and achievements

When you list your volunteer work in your resume, besides giving the name of the organisation, when you volunteered, for how long and the responsibilities of your role, highlight the skills and achievements you gained.  

For example, if you volunteered as an events coordinator for a fundraiser, you could highlight your project management, teamwork and marketing skills. Mention the impact you had and the results from your involvement such as increasing ticket sales by 20% or increasing the total amount of donations by 30% compared to last year.  

When talking about transferable skills, ensure they align with future job requirements. 

• Align your values

Research the mission, vision, and goals of the organisation you're applying to and explain how your volunteer work reflects them. For example, if you're working for a company that values sustainability and conservation, you can talk about your work with a non-profit such as Clean Up Australia or World Wildlife Fund (WWF). 

• Add volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile

Add the volunteer section to your LinkedIn profile. Remember to include why you volunteered, what you learned from volunteering, and how it shaped your career goals and aspirations.  

How to balance volunteering with study

Balancing volunteering with study is about being realistic with your time and choosing the right commitments. Start small – around 1-2 hours per week. Use a calendar to map out your study time, class timetable, assignment deadlines and exams. Then choose a volunteering role with flexible hours that fits around those priorities. During busy periods like exams, don’t hesitate to reduce your hours—most organisations understand that you’re a student first.

Pay attention to your energy, not just your time and ensure you’re getting enough rest. The goal is to gain experience and build skills—not to exhaust yourself.

Volunteering should support your growth, not take over your schedule. It should help you develop skills, expand your network and strengthen your resume – all while making a positive impact to society.

At KBS, we offer volunteering opportunities such as the Student Ambassador program and Peer Mentorship program as well as run events to give back to our local community. Download our free eBook about studying in Australia for everything you need to know about living and studying here.

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