Become a volunteer

Volunteers are vital in supporting Museums Victoria's vision. Over 500 people donate their time to engage with visitors in our museums and support our research and collections behind the scenes.

Already a volunteer? You may view your schedule, apply for shifts and update your volunteer profile online. Log in now

Why volunteer with us?

Volunteering with Museums Victoria provides a number of benefits.

As a volunteer, you will:

  • Develop new skills and knowledge
  • Be part of a supportive team
  • Give something back to the community
  • Contribute to visitor engagement
  • Gain experience in a relevant field
  • Help preserve and promote Victoria's cultural heritage
Two girls making a light-up card with a Scienceworks' staff member in Test Lab.
Two girls making a light-up card with a Scienceworks' volunteer in Test Lab.

Who can volunteer?

Whilst you need to be 18 years or over our volunteers are of all ages and bring to us a broad range of professional and life experience.

See our frequently asked questions for more info.

What do volunteers do?

Museums Victoria has a rich history of engaging volunteers to help our organisation achieve its goals. Whether interacting directly with museum visitors or assisting with research and the collections, volunteers work alongside paid staff to enhance our visitors' enjoyment and provide unique experiences across Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and Immigration Museum.

Volunteer assists visitors during school holiday activity at Melbourne Museum.
Volunteer assists visitors during school holiday activity at Melbourne Museum.

Public Programs

Engaging with visitors in our museums, you will be working alongside our Museum staff to provide unique interactions. Whether helping visitors further understand and interpret our galleries, assisting families with themed activities, supporting special events or providing tactile interactions via our touch trolleys, our volunteers strive to enrich the visitor experience.

Some roles require a 6 month period in family activities to familiarise yourself with our Museums before you can undertake further training.

Museum Victoria Volunteer with World War 1 diaries.
Museums Victoria Volunteer with World War 1 diaries

Collections & Administration

Our Collections & Administration or ‘Behind the Scenes’ roles include assisting in basic administration tasks, such as cataloguing and data entry. Other roles are available assisting our staff in collection or curatorial areas and include research, restoration, cataloguing collection objects, object re-housing, transcribing data and digitisation projects.

These positions generally require experience in a relevant field, are limited and first made available to our existing pool of volunteers.

How do I become a volunteer?

When volunteer recruitment is open, we will ask prospective volunteers to apply via an online expression of interest form. Your details are then added to our database and if suitable you may be invited to attend a volunteer information session.

The information session comprises an overview of the volunteer program and will include a short interview with a member of the volunteer program staff.

Successful applicants must attend an induction day and complete the requirements below in order to pass the appraisal process.

To become a volunteer you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Agree to a National Police Check
  • Obtain a Victorian Working with Children Check
  • Commit to a minimum of one day per month
  • Sign an Agreement Form to commit to the values and policies of Museums Victoria
     

Volunteer recruitment

Museums Victoria Volunteer Program is currently at capacity. We will only advertise for volunteers when we have positions available.

Please check back regularly for updates.

Current volunteers login

View your schedule, apply for shifts and update your volunteer profile online.


Tertiary student placements

Find opportunities for internships and higher degree research programs.

Got a question? 

See our frequently asked questions for more information or contact us through Ask Us.

Museums Victoria is a Child Safe organisation. Read our policy statement on maintaining child safe standards.

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