Volunteers provide crucial support to the work we do, and participate in an extensive range of projects.
In 2019, we marked 30 years of a formal volunteer program with DBCA's Parks and Wildlife Service and its predecessors. The program began in 1989 through the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), with volunteers supporting staff in national parks.
The program has now grown to more than 200 projects across WA involving thousands of active volunteers, in many different roles. These projects include the Wildcare Helpline, campground hosting at some of our most popular national parks, and track, trail and park maintenance. Volunteers can be involved in in all aspects of departmental work from administrative roles up to science-focused projects such as flora and fauna monitoring and cataloguing native seed specimens at the herbarium.
During the last financial year, more than 5800 volunteers contributed 779,000 hours to Parks and Wildlife Service projects across WA.
Thank you to all of our past, present and future volunteers.
What's in it for you
Volunteers for Parks and Wildlife Service are involved in real projects that contribute to the overall objectives of DBCA. These projects can give you access to areas and work not usually available to the public, including working in restricted areas or with rare fauna and flora.
Registered volunteers are also eligible for our volunteer rewards scheme, which includes volunteer park passes and discounts on Parks and Wildlife publications and subscriptions.
Essential information
Insurance
All registered Parks and Wildlife volunteers are insured against personal accident while volunteering, given Health and Safety guidance, and training for their role.
If you are not an Australian Citizen you will need to have your own current health insurance. Non-residents must legally be allowed to volunteer in Australia. Your visa work entitlements will be checked as part of the registration process.
There are no age limits to volunteering with the Parks and Wildlife Service. However, under 16s must be supervised by parents or guardians, and all volunteers must be physically capable of carrying out their role. Depending on the demands of the role, you may be asked to provide a ‘Fit for Work’ certificate.
Accommodation
Unfortunately, accommodation is generally not available.
Recent highlights and achievements from volunteer projects
Read below to hear how volunteers are involved in the work of Parks and Wildlife Service.