• All Volunteers have been interviewed and inducted by SkillShare.
• There is no cost to your organisation from SkillShare.
• We don’t require organisations to have DGR status.
• We provide a Monitor to oversee the Project, ensuring quality control, accountability and consistency with the SkillShare approach.

We have recently assisted groups with:

• developing strategic business plans
• database design / website development
• human resources
• provide marketing and fundraising advice
• legal advice
• graphic design, film or video production / photography
• event coordination / management
• PR and/or communications strategy
• organisational governance
• grant submissions / writing and editing
• help develop organisational goals, objectives and strategies
• set-up accounting systems
• give management advice
• help prepare funding submissions
• research and produce a position paper
• perform targeted training.

We accept Projects which:

• are consistent with Oxfam Australia's values.
• encourage our Volunteers to share their skills with you so that you can continue to grow your organisation using the knowledge gained from the Project.

We are unable to accept the following types of Projects:

• those with no defined duration;
• work which is clearly part of the day-to-day operations of an organisation (eg providing management committee members or a administration staff);
• to directly lobby governments or other organisations;
• to provide assistance to profit making organisations;
• to act directly as a fundraiser;
• to advance an organisation's religious beliefs;
• to provide performance evaluation on specific individuals;
• where the intention is to simply use the Oxfam name to lend weight to decisions already made or to advance the reputation or the organisation;
• where staff and/or board members are not in agreement with the Project objectives;
• where Oxfam Australia’s reputation or integrity may be placed in jeopardy;

1. Become a registered community group. It only takes a few minutes, it's free and needs to be done just once.
2. Whenever you are ready for a Volunteer then you can contact us through this website to discuss your Project proposal.
3. We agree a defined scope of the Project, including what type of Volunteer(s) are required.
4. We assign a trained Monitor to coordinate the Project and ensure it is delivered successfully.

• Be as clear and specific as you can about your Project request. This may require several iterations and discussions within your organisation to refine your Project scope and priorities.
• SkillShare will be able to help refine the project scope, but it is always beneficial to have considered and discussed the activities, tasks and outcomes as best you can.
• Another note on project scope – sometimes the scope is further modified when discussion with the Volunteer starts as they will bring another perspective to the problem or opportunity.
• Ensure that all relevant stakeholders within your organisation support the project.
  • This means ensuring that they understand why the project is important to your organisation and what the outcomes are likely to be.
• Allocate sufficient organisational time and resources to the project – while a Volunteer brings additional resources to an activity and will undertake specific tasks, remember that they are working alongside you rather than doing things for you. They are experts in their professional field and you are experts in your organisation and your sector. The two components need to come together to produce relevant and effective outcomes.
• Raise any concerns (no matter how minor) that you have as soon as possible. Issues with timing, progress, skill set or change in scope should be brought to the attention of the monitor as early as possible. The monitor’s job is to support the organisation and Volunteer and champion the project.
• Allow plenty of time. Projects often take longer than anticipated.
• Enjoy the process! Organisations and Volunteers consistently report enjoyment and satisfaction in the new relationships and fresh understandings that result from working on projects. Be open to the unexpected changes and rewards that come from learning together.