Volunteer with Make-A-Wish

Are you ready to join the Wish Force? Apply today to join our network of over 850 volunteers and become part of the world's largest wish-granting organisation for sick children and families

Learn more

Read more about our volunteer opportunities below to find the best option for you, then click 'Apply now' to begin the journey of a lifetime.

What do Make-A-Wish volunteers do?

From supporting sick kids and their families on a Wish Journey, to organising fundraising activities or raising awareness about Make-A-Wish, our volunteers play a key role in helping make wishes come true for critically ill children.

Whether they're welcoming new volunteers, capturing a wish, planning a gala ball, running a BBQ at a sausage sizzle, speaking at a local school or community club, our volunteers give their willingness and time to help bring hope and joy to wish children, their families, and their communities.

Why volunteer with us?

When you join the Wish Force, you become part of the world's largest wish-granting charity - with endless opportunities to make a difference in the lives of sick kids, their families, and local communities.

We are a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive organisation, and encourage people of all backgrounds, skills, and life experiences to get involved!

⭐ Meet like-minded people and create lifelong friendships
⭐ Develop new skills and gain valuable work-related experience
⭐ Build emotional resilience, well-being, and self-esteem
⭐ Give back and help others in your local community
⭐ And importantly, be inspired and have fun!

When you volunteer with us, you’ll embark on an unforgettable journey—no matter your reason for getting started.

It is such a unique feeling. I can’t compare it to anything. When else can you see a child smile like that? Or talk so excitedly? The Make-A-Wish experience is one of a kind.

Zoe, Make-A-Wish volunteer

Types of volunteers

For those interested in an ongoing role, branch volunteering involves:

⭐ Attending your local branch meetings, held once a month on a weeknight

⭐ Helping local wish families by capturing their child’s unique wish and bringing it to life through all stages of the Wish Journey

⭐ Supporting local fundraising and events, from fun runs and sausage sizzles to gala balls and bake-offs

⭐ Raising awareness in your local community, helping drive our reach and impact to achieve our mission

⭐ Please note: activities vary from branch to branch

Things to consider before applying:

⭐ You must be 18 years or older and ready to commit to volunteering for at least 12 months

⭐ You must have a personal email address and at least a basic level of technical skill to access our online volunteer platform regularly and complete online induction training within 6 weeks of becoming a new volunteer

⭐ You must complete online induction training within 6 weeks of becoming a new volunteer

⭐ You must be willing to undergo our volunteer application process which includes an interview, reference checks, a background check, and a Working with Children Check (or equivalent for your State/Territory) as part of our commitment to child safety

⭐ You must have access to reliable transport to attend meetings, wish captures, and fundraising events

⭐ For volunteers involved with wish granting, it's important that you enjoy and can communicate well with children, young people, and their families

For those interested in an ongoing role, virtual volunteering involves:

⭐ Connecting with volunteers across Australia in your online team meetings held once a month on a weeknight

⭐ Helping local wish families by capturing their child’s unique wish and bringing it to life through all stages of the Wish Journey

Things to consider before applying:

⭐ You must be 18 years or older and ready to commit to volunteering for at least 12 months

⭐ You must have a personal email address and at least a basic level of technical skill to access our online volunteer platform regularly and complete online induction training within 6 weeks of becoming a new volunteer

⭐ You must complete online induction training within 6 weeks of becoming a new volunteer

⭐ You must be willing to undergo our volunteer application process which includes an interview, reference checks, a background check,and a Working with Children Check (or equivalent for your State/Territory) as part of our commitment to child safety

⭐ It's important that you enjoy and can communicate well with children, young people, and their families

For those interested in getting involved in an ad-hoc way, short term volunteering involves:

⭐ Helping at an upcoming Make-A-Wish activity or event

⭐ Often for a single shift or a day

⭐ Supporting local fundraising and events, from fun runs to Foam Fest, sausage sizzles, donation tin collections, and gala balls

Things to consider before applying:

⭐ You must be 18 years or older 

⭐ You must have a personal email address

⭐ You must have access to reliable transport

⭐Short term opportunities vary by date and location so we’re unable to guarantee the frequency of involvement

⭐ If you'd prefer to organise your own fundraising event in your local community, you can find more information here - Make-A-Wish Australia: Fundraise For Charity

For those interested in volunteeringopportunities through their workplace, corporate volunteering involves:

⭐ Connecting with Make-A-Wish through your organisation

⭐ An opportunity to give back within your company or team

⭐ Group activities such as Wish Workshops or Trees of Joy

Things to consider before applying:

⭐ You must be 18 years or older 

⭐ You must be part of an organisation that supports corporate volunteering

⭐ Find ways for your workplace to partner with Make-A-Wish here - Partner With Us | Corporate Volunteering & Workshops - Make-A-Wish Australia

For those with a specific skill set or experience looking to volunteer:

⭐ From time to time, we need skilled/project volunteers who support the work done through our Head Office

⭐ We’re currently seeking volunteers with skills and experience in recruitment to join our Virtual Recruitment Team to help run interviews for prospective volunteers

Things to consider before applying:

⭐ You must be 18 years or older 

⭐ You must have a personal email address and be able to demonstrate skills or experience in a relevant role

⭐ You must be willing to undergo our volunteer application process which includes an interview, reference checks, a Police Check, a background check, and a Working with Children Check (or equivalent for your State/Territory) to ensure all volunteers share as part of our commitment to child safety

Volunteering FAQs

Branch and virtual volunteers must commit for a minimum of 12 months and attend a monthly meeting on a weeknight. Beyond that, the time required will vary according to your branch/team, individual interests, training requirements, wish family availability, and fundraising activities.

Leadership roles require additional time. You’ll learn more about specific branch/team roles and activities during your application and induction.

Most volunteers balance their Make-A-Wish role around family, work, and social commitments. For insights into the different types of volunteer roles and the time involved, check out our Volunteer stories.

Whatever way you choose to help - we are grateful for your commitment and support in helping to make wishes come true!

Applying is quick and easy! Just click 'Apply now' at the bottom of this page and fill out the online Expression of Interest form. Tell us about yourself and the type of volunteering opportunity you're interested in!

Some of our branches and virtual teams have waitlists in place as they may not be ready for new volunteers to join, so it may take some time before a volunteer opportunity matches your profile.

After you apply, we'll email you with details about available volunteer opportunities. This email will also inform you whether you'll proceed to an interview or be placed on the waitlist.

Please monitor your email inbox, including the junk folder, to ensure you don't miss any important updates from us.

As a charity committed to children's safety and wellbeing, we have a thorough application process to ensure we place the right people in the right roles.

For successful branch and virtual volunteer applicants, the process includes:

  • An interview
  • Reference checks
  • A Police Check
  • A state-based Working with Children Check

All new branch and virtual volunteers are welcomed by their team leaders and must complete online induction training within 6 weeks of joining. You'll also receive mentoring from experienced volunteers to help you get 'wish-ready'.

Volunteers are expected to use our dedicated online Community platform to access the latest news, training, and support, and to connect with other Wish Force volunteers across Australia.

For those in key leadership positions, such as Branch Presidents and Wish Granting Coordinators, we offer leadership training and online workshops.

If you’re unsure which branch or team is closest to you, don’t worry, once you submit your enquiry, we'll review your location to find the most suitable option for you!

Click on the link to visit the branch Facebook page. Please note: not all branches have a Facebook Page.

Australia-wide

Virtual Wish Team

ACT

NSW

NT

QLD

SA

TAS

VIC

WA

Once you've read about our types of volunteering opportunities and you're ready to get involved, click the 'Apply now' button below to fill in our quick and easy online form.

Please keep an eye on your emails (including your junk folder) to make sure you don't miss any important updates from us.

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Ready to join the Wish Force?

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Wish kids featured on this page

⭐ Sammy, 6, pleuropulmonary blastoma, 'I wish for an ice castle cubby'

⭐ Paula, 5, brain cancer, 'I wish to have an adventure day with Spider-Man'

⭐ Alicia, 10, leukodystrophy, 'I wish to sing on ‘The Voice’!'