Volunteer vacancies
Suspended: Volunteer programs
OPA supports 700 volunteers who provide support for people with disability or mental illness across Victoria.
The health and safety of the people we advocate for, our volunteers and employees has always been, and will continue to be, our top priority.
We are treating all matters relating to COVID-19 with the highest importance, taking all possible steps to reduce the risks and any possible impacts to the people we represent, volunteers, staff and the community. For this reason, we have suspended all our volunteer programs at the present time.
You are most welcome to register your interest for one of our volunteer positions. Your expression of interest will be acknowledged and you will be sent further information about the volunteer program that you are interested in.
If you are considering becoming an Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) volunteer, it is essential that you read the position description for the OPA volunteer program you are interested in.
If there are no vacancies in your region, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and ask to be placed on a waiting list for future volunteer positions in your region. Please provide your residential address when requesting to be placed on the waiting list.
How to apply and selection
Vacant positions are grouped according to their program.
Select a role that interests you and is in the region where you live.
Read the position description and check that you have the necessary skills and attributes.
Click ‘enquire here’ at the end of the role description.
You will be taken to an online enquiry form. The information you provide in this form and any attachments will be used to assess your suitability for the role.
When you have completed the form, click ‘submit.’
A member the volunteer recruitment team will contact you to further discuss your enquiry.
Community Visitors Program vacancies
Mental Health Community Visitors
Metropolitan areas: Barwon South West, all northern, eastern and southern metropolitan areas
Regional areas: Mildura and Nhill, Warnambool, Gippsland, Hume
Role: Volunteers are needed to visit facilities where people are receiving mental health treatment to monitor and report on the service provided, make inquiries into patient’s wellbeing and to advocate for their rights. Volunteers work in pairs and visit mental health facilities such as hospital mental health units, community care units and prevention and recovery centres.
As a Community Visitor volunteer, you will talk to patients to identify issues of concern. At the conclusion of a visit, you will write a brief report documenting your findings.
Additional requirements: Volunteers cannot be a current employee of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. This role is ideally suited to individuals who are able to visit during mornings Monday-Friday.
Access to your own transport is required.
Disability Services Community Visitors
Metropolitan areas: All eastern, northern and southern metropolitan areas
Regional areas: Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Bendigo, Colac, Benalla, Wangaratta, Stawell, Horsham, Echuca, Swan Hill and Mildura
Role: Volunteers are needed to visit group homes for people with disability to monitor and report on the service provided, make inquiries into resident’s wellbeing and advocate for their rights. Volunteers will work in pairs and visit group homes managed by the Department of Health and Human Services or community service organisations.
As a Community Visitor volunteer, you will make observations and inquiries to identify issues of concern. At the conclusion of a visit, you will contribute to a report documenting your findings.
Additional requirements: Volunteers cannot be a current employee of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. This role is ideally suited to individuals who are able to visit during late afternoons Monday-Friday.
If there is a vacancy in your area, you will be emailed an information pack. This pack includes a volunteer application form that needs to be completed and returned to OPA before your inquiry can be progressed further.
Access to your own transport is required.
Residential Services Community Visitors
Metropolitan areas: All eastern, northern and southern metropolitan areas
Regional areas: Gippsland and Eastern Gippsland, Grampians
Role: Volunteers are needed to visit Supported Residential Services (SRS) to monitor and report on the service provided, make inquiries into resident’s wellbeing and to advocate for their rights.
Volunteers work in pairs. As a Community Visitor volunteer, you will talk to residents to identify issues of concern. At the conclusion of a visit, you will contribute to a report documenting your findings.
Additional requirements: Volunteers cannot be a current employee of the Department of Health and Human Services.This role is ideally suited to individuals who are able to visit during the day Monday-Friday.
If there is a vacancy in your area, you will be emailed an information pack. This pack includes a volunteer application form that needs to be completed and returned to OPA before your inquiry can be progressed further.
Access to your own transport is required.
Independent Third Person Program vacancies
Independent Third Person Program
Metropolitan areas: All
Regional areas: All, but a particular need in Gippsland, Mildura, Geelong, Ballarat, Benalla, Shepparton & Horsham
Role: Independent Third Persons (ITPs) attend police interviews for adults and young people with disability to ensure that they are not disadvantaged during the interview process.
Community Guardianship Program vacancies
Community Guardianship Program
There are currently no vacancies in the Community Guardianship Program.
If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for future volunteer positions in your region, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..