Share joy. Volunteer with us.
Share joy. Volunteer with us.
For over 90 years, HammondCare has relied on volunteers to help provide relationship-based care. We're looking for passionate people like you to help spread joy to residents, clients and patients.
You'll receive training and support from our experienced staff. And if you have a special skill or interest, we'd love to find a role that suits you.

Become a HammondCare volunteer
Here are some of the ways you can make a difference:
Types of volunteering roles
Our volunteering roles are as varied as the people we serve. We focus on building relationships with residents, clients, and patients. This is why we look for long-term volunteers who can dedicate their time for one to two hours a week, and become a friendly, familiar face.
Social volunteer
Bring joy to the lives of residents or patients by having a one-on-one chat over a cuppa or engaging in gentle activities such as crafts, listening to music together, reading the newspaper, and so much more.
Pet volunteer
Your furry friend can bring lots of joy to the lives of residents in our residential care homes, patients in hospital, or clients living in the community.
Arts and crafts volunteer
Are you creative? Do you enjoy arts and crafts? Assist a small group of residents to create their own masterpieces with the support of a Volunteer Coordinator. All equipment is supplied.
Hear from HammondCare volunteers

Charlise and Mollie
Charlise brings her dog, Mollie, along with her to visit clients in their homes. “It may be an hour out of your day, but it might make someone's whole week, so a little sacrifice goes a long way for other people".

Thu
Thu visits residents at Hammondville where he uses his French language skills and his musical talent to bring joy to people's lives. "I wanted to do work that reflects my value, my belief... I think that we can improve the quality of life of people in need".
Volunteering opportunities
Share friendships at our Residential Care Homes
We provide expert Residential Care to people who can no longer live at home and need a high level of care. There are many ways volunteers can engage with residents:
- Becoming a friend to residents and sharing friendships
- Driving a minibus to take residents on local trips in their community
- Assisting with pastoral care activities
- Supporting activities such as exercise programs, cooking, walking, nail care and art and craft
Connect with an older person in your community
As a HammondCare At Home volunteer, you can enjoy the fulfilment of participating in a shared interest with an older person who lives close to your home.
Your local Volunteer Coordinator will connect you with someone in your community who is living at home and is experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
We aim to partner you with someone who shares similar interests such as playing board games, crocheting, having a cuppa and chat, going for a walk, or visiting a local coffee shop or men’s shed group.
There are also opportunities to volunteer in one of our Respite Cottages or Social Clubs.
Support people in Hospitals and Clinics
Volunteer alongside specialised clinicians, providing a range of services, to help bring meaningful engagement to patients and their visitors. There are many ways you can give support to the people in our care, providing them with a sense of hope, including:
- Taking trolleys room-to-room for morning tea and happy hour
- Helping dreams come true through the Dreams Project
- Supporting therapists in activities including art, music, and games
- Capturing a patient’s life story as a biography service volunteer
Volunteer in Community Palliative Care
We’re passionate about providing comforting physical and emotional support to people with a progressive life-limiting illness. As a volunteer with our Community Palliative Care Service, you may be involved with:
- Visiting a patient at home to provide company and give their family a break
- Driving patients to an outing, an appointment, or to do some shopping
- Helping our pastoral care team with pastoral services
- Capturing a patient’s life story as a biography service volunteer
Becoming a HammondCare volunteer
We'll set up an interview to explore your areas of interest with a member of our team.
Register your interest
Speak to our friendly team today by calling 1800 793 399 or simply fill out the form, and we'll contact you to learn more about your interests.
FAQs
How many hours do you require from volunteers?
We’ve found that volunteers who are committed regularly over a long period of time gain a deeper sense of personal satisfaction. Preferably, you’ll be available for at least one hour per week over 12 months or longer. This may vary between roles and locations, so we encourage you to speak with us about your interests and availability.
What do I need to do to volunteer in a residential care home?
To volunteer in our residential care homes, you must:
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Show proof of COVID-19 (three doses) and flu vaccinations
- Follow our COVID-19 guidance
- Complete a criminal record check, which we can arrange
- Complete an NDIS Worker Screening Check.
What do I need to do to volunteer in someone's home?
To become a Home Care volunteer, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Show proof of COVID-19 (three doses) and flu vaccinations
- Follow our COVID-19 guidance
- Complete a criminal record check, which we can arrange.
What do I need to do to become a hospital or community palliative care volunteer?
To become a Health and Palliative Care volunteer, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Show proof of COVID-19 (three doses), flu vaccinations, and further immunisation screening
- Follow our COVID-19 guidance
- Complete a criminal record check, which we can arrange.
I’m looking for work or needing to complete placement hours. Can I volunteer with HammondCare?
We appreciate the interest, however, volunteering isn’t a pathway to a paid role at HammondCare or completing work placements. Our recruitment team is always looking for great people to work with us, so we encourage you to check the vacancies on our Careers page.
How can my company get involved and volunteer as a team?
We welcome organisations who would like to get involved in our Corporate Community Engagement program. For more details, call our Volunteer Coordinator on 1800 793 399.
Are there residential care homes in my local area?
You are able to volunteer at our residential care homes in Cardiff, Caulfield, Darlinghurst, Erina, Hammondville, Horsley, Miranda, North Turramurra, Wahroonga, Waratah and Woy Woy.
Can I volunteer as a community social visitor in my local area?
We welcome volunteers in ACT, NSW (Central Coast, Northern Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra, South East Sydney, South West Sydney, Southern Highlands, Central West, Far West, Northern Rivers) and Victoria (Melbourne Metro).
Which hospital or community palliative care service can I volunteer at?
We welcome volunteers at Braeside Hospital, Greenwich Hospital and Neringah Hospital.
You can also volunteer at our community palliative care across the Northern Beaches and North Shore Sydney.
What training and support do I get as a volunteer?
You will be completely supported from the moment you start as a volunteer. Before you’re on the ground, we prepare you for the role with our online training program. Then from day one, you’re paired with a volunteer buddy who will introduce you to people and guide you on your journey. Your local Volunteer Coordinator also provides ongoing support.
I’m interested in visiting someone in their home. How will you know if we’ll get along?
Your local Volunteer Coordinator will meet with you to find out about your interests, and then they’ll look for someone close by who may share similar interests. At your first meet-up, the Volunteer Coordinator will help with introductions and get the conversation going.
Can I complete the service component of my Duke of Edinburgh Award with HammondCare?
The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is a development program empowering youth to explore their full potential. We welcome students aged 16 years or older who are willing to commit to a minimum of 60 hours of service in one of our residential care homes. Please note that student placements are limited.
I work full-time during the week. Can I volunteer on the weekends or evenings?
The majority of our volunteer opportunities are held during the week, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm. There are limited opportunities to volunteer outside these times, but we can discuss your availability and preferences during the interview process.
How can I help raise funds for HammondCare?
You can help by volunteering to help raise vital funds for The HammondCare Foundation. All funds raised go toward helping us continually expand and improve our services and support for people in need. Visit the HammondCare Foundation to learn more about the work we do.
Are there any short-term volunteering opportunities?
Our volunteer programs provide opportunities to build relationships with the clients, residents, and patients we care for. The best way to make this happen is with a volunteer commitment of at least an hour per week or fortnight for 12 months or more. But, from time to time, we may have short-term opportunities available. You can check our volunteer opportunities page for updates.
Is HammondCare part of the Community Visitors Scheme?
HammondCare participates in the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) across NSW and Victoria, including our Hammondville, Cardiff and Waratah residential care homes. The CVS is a government funded initiative established to promote social connections between older people and their local community.