Contact us
- GLP Office
- Macquarie University
- Level 1, EMC2 Building 3 Innovation Drive NSW 2109
- T: +61 (2) 9850 6761
- E: glp@mq.edu.au
You should choose volunteer placements that prioritise the protection of children, and that contribute positively to children’s mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Volunteering in orphanages is not eligible for Experiential Credit, or towards your Cross-Cultural Practicum for the following reasons:
Watch this short video from Kindea Labs on Vimeo to learn more:
Watch video
Volunteer with an organisation that keeps families together, reunites children with their families or provides family-based care. If you are teaching, providing care or working directly with children, make sure you are the best person to do the job.
Ask yourself: If I’m not qualified to do the role in Australia should I really be doing it overseas?
If you only have a short time, be an ethical traveller by:
Commit to a longer volunteer placement at home or look for online opportunities with international organisations.
A rotation of short-term volunteers can mean local people don’t develop the skills or experience to drive development in their own communities.
Consult with your volunteer placement to make sure what you’re bringing is really needed. If it is, buy it in the country you are volunteering in to support local business.
Handouts can create dependency, encourage begging and while something might be useful in Australia, it might not be needed overseas. How useful is a school book if it isn’t in your language?