Ways to volunteer

Join the National Trust as Volunteer Guide, where you will be the face of our historic properties providing engaging and informative tours to visitors.  Your passion for history and storytelling will help bring our sites to life, ensuring that every visitor leaves with a deep understanding and appreciation of the property’s heritage.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• Lead guided tours of the property sharing stories, historical facts and insights with visitors
• Engage with visitors of all ages, tailoring your tour to their interests and answering questions they may have
• Help create a welcoming atmosphere by greeting visitors and providing information about the property, including its history, architecture and significance
• Assist in the interpretation of exhibits, collections, and displays offering additional context and background
• Supporting special events and themed tours contributing your knowledge and enthusiasm to enhance the visitor experience

If you have a passion for history, heritage and storytelling, have excellent communication and public speaking skills, are confident in leading groups, engaging with people of diverse backgrounds, are friendly and approachable we would love to have you.

Our Volunteer Tour Guides are generally rostered once a week or once in two weeks or once a month.  We are looking for volunteers who can commit to a regular shift.

Join the National Trust as a Garden and Maintenance Volunteer and contribute to the preservation and enhancement of beautiful gardens, historic homes and precious bushland across New South Wales.  As a volunteer you will play a role in maintaining the beauty and biodiversity of these historic sites ensuring they continue to inspire and delight visitors for generations to come.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• assisting with general gardening tasks, including planting, weeding, pruning and watering
• help maintain garden structures and features such as pathways, fences and water features
• support team in seasonal planting projects and conservation efforts
• work alongside staff and other volunteers to implement sustainable gardening practices
• maintenance and repair of outbuildings and fences
• assist in the set-up of events and exhibitions
• engage with visitors, sharing knowledge about the garden and the importance of conservation

If you have a passion for gardening and an interest in conservation and heritage, basic knowledge of plants and gardening techniques (training will be provided), willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions, ability to work as a team and independently you would fit in our volunteer environment.

Our gardening volunteer teams generally meet once or twice a week at specific times for a few hours in each location.  We are looking for volunteers who can commit to a regular shift.

Join us and help keep our gardens flourishing for everyone to enjoy.

Join our Bush Care Volunteer team to play a crucial role in preserving and restoring natural landscapes that make our properties so special.  This is a hands-on role where you’ll help to maintain and protect the unique flora and fauna of our bushland areas ensuring that these vital ecosystems thrive for generations to come.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• participation in habitat restoration activities including planting native species and removing invasive weeds
• assist with the maintenance of walking trails, helping to manage erosion, and ensuring paths are safe and accessible
• Support the creation of wildlife habitats
• Help with bushfire risk reduction
• Work alongside with National Trust Bush Management Services supervisors to implement land management plans

If you have a passion for nature, conservation and outdoors and are willing to engage in physical activities and have an interest in native plants, wildlife  and ecosystems you will be a valuable member of our Bush Care Volunteer teams.  You would work independently and as part of a team.  The team requires a commitment to environmental sustainability and protecting natural heritage

Our Bush Care volunteer teams generally meet once a month.  We are looking for volunteers who can commit to attending every month.

Join the National Trust as a Collection Care Volunteer and contribute to the care and preservation of our collections as well as researching and assisting in the interpretation of the collection.  You will play a vital role in preserving and protecting our rich heritage.  This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with a dedicated team helping to ensure that our historic objects, art and interiors are cared for and maintained to the highest standards.

Some of the responsibilities include

• assisting in the cleaning and care of historic items including furniture, textiles and artworks
• help monitor environmental conditions such as light, temperature and humidity to ensure they remain within safe levels
• support the documentation and cataloguing of collections including photographing and recording condition reports
• assist with the preparation of items for display, storage or loan
• contribute to the implementation of conservation plans, following guidelines set by collections staff and other experienced volunteers
• engage with visitors to share insights into the importance of collections care and the work being done behind the scenes

Collections care volunteer would have a keen interest in history, art or conservation, agile and safe hands,  have an attention to details, a methodical approach to tasks a, willingness to learn and take direction, able to work in a team and independently after being trained.

Our collections care volunteer teams generally meet once or twice a week at specific times for a few hours in each location.  We are looking for volunteers who can commit to a regular shift.

You will be at the heart of our mission to provide a warm and welcoming environment for all our visitors.  This role combines customer service with retail support, ensuring that every visitor enjoys a memorable experience while also helping to generate crucial income for the preservation of our properties.

Some of the responsibilities include

• greet and engage with visitors while providing information about the property, its history and any ongoing events or activities
• assist in the retail shop helping visitors find the perfect souvenir, processing transactions and keeping displays well-stocked and attractive
• answer questions and offer guidance to ensure visitors have a positive and enriching experience
• support the membership team by promoting the benefits of joining the National Trust and selling membership to increase the National Trust membership base and collecting much needed funds
• help maintain the cleanliness and organisation of public areas, ensuring a pleasant environment for everyone

A visitor experience and retail volunteer is friendly, has an approachable personality with excellent customer service skills, enthusiasm for history, heritage and a passion for the work of the National Trust, confidence in handling sales transactions in the sales system (training will be provided), ability to work as part of a team and work independently, able to take direction and have a flexibility and a proactive approach to tasks and problem-solving.

Our visitor experience and retail volunteer are generally rostered once a week or once in two weeks or once a month.  We are looking for volunteers who can commit to a regular shift.

As an Event Support Volunteer at the National Trust, you will be a key player in bringing our historic properties to life through a variety of events from seasonal celebrations to educational workshops, exhibitions and community activities.  Your enthusiasm and support will help create unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• assist in the set up and breakdown of event spaces, ensuring everything is prepared and organised
• welcome and direct visitors providing information about the event schedule and activities
• support the smooth running of events by helping with tasks such as ticketing, visitor management or activity supervision
• engage with visitors encouraging participation in event activities and ensuring visitors have an enjoyable experience
• work alongside the event coordination team to ensure everything runs according to plan
• help with the promotion of upcoming events and sharing details with visitors
• provide feedback after events to help improve future activities

An Event Support Volunteer is enthusiastic and energetic and enjoys working with the public, has strong communication skills and a positive and friendly attitude, ability to work in a team and adapt to fast-paced environment of events, a keen interest in heritage and the work of the National Trust, flexibility to volunteer during weekends, holidays and occasionally in the evenings.

Our event volunteers are generally rostered during special events. Flexibility and a commitment to attend are required.

As a Hospitality Volunteer you will be an essential part of our team, helping to deliver warm and welcoming experience in our cafes, tea rooms or at special events.  Where you are preparing food, serving visitors or assisting with the smooth operation the food delivery your contribution will support our conservation efforts while offering visitors delightful culinary experience.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• assist with food preparation and presentation, following food hygiene standards
• serve visitors providing a friendly and efficient service
• help maintain cleanliness and order in the kitchen and dining areas
• support catering team with stock checks, replenishing supplies and ensuring everything is ready for service
• provide information to visitors and make recommendations on menu selection
• assist with washing up, clearing tables and keeping the environment tidy
• engage with visitors ensuring they feel welcome and have a positive experience

A catering volunteer has catering experience or willingness to learn (training and support provided), a friendly and approachable personality with a passion for food and hospitality, a willingness to learn about food hygiene and safety standards, good communication skills and the ability to work well in a team, flexibility to adapt to different tasks and the needs of the team, enthusiasm for the mission of the National Trust and desire to enhance the visitor experience.

Our catering volunteers are generally rostered once a week or once in two weeks or once a month.  We are looking for volunteers who can commit to a regular shift.