Volunteering in Oceania

Who can participate in volunteering in Oceania?

In many cases, participation in the RGV programs abroad has already ended 16 years possible. Many of our participating volunteers have either just started with the Abitur successfully completed or already in progress in studies.

More and more people with life and work experience are coming to our programs, for example as part of a Sabbatical take time abroad from your job.

How long and with which visa can I volunteer in Oceania?

For volunteer work in Australia you need the eVisitor tourist visa, which is valid for 3 months, or for internships (whether paid or unpaid) the Working Holiday Visa or the Occupational Trainee Visa. The latter two are usually valid for up to 12 months.

As a German, Austrian or Swiss citizen, you can stay in New Zealand for up to 3 months without a visa. Here, too, there is the Working Holiday Visa for longer stays, which is also valid for up to 12 months.

You can find more information about entering Australia and New Zealand on the website of the Foreign Office.

What requirements should I have to volunteer in Oceania?

The most important thing is that you enjoy getting involved in your project and working in a team. Depending on the focus of the project, you should be interested in environmental, marine or animal welfare issues. In addition, good knowledge of English is a great advantage for communication on site and is required for some projects. In the individual project descriptions you will find requirement profiles with which you can get an overview of what you should ideally bring with you.

Where do I live while volunteering in Oceania?

The type of accommodation depends on which project and location you choose. In most cases, however, you will live directly on site in one of our fully catered volunteer houses. During the project”Protect corals in Australia” you stay in a big hostel in the city center. There is WiFi in all accommodations, so you can quickly share your local experiences with your loved ones at home.

Can I travel with a boyfriend/girlfriend?

If you want to travel with someone else, that's no problem at all. It is important that you register separately for the project. When you register, you can then specify who your travel buddy is and we will then accommodate you together in the desired project.

Volunteering in Oceania: what can I do in my free time?

Since the island world of Oceania is very diverse, there are of course a lot of leisure activities that are available during your volunteer work there. The major cities of Australia and New Zealand are perfect for shopping, dining or partying. But you can also simply let the colorful crowds of people drive you through the metropolis.

Do you prefer to be out in nature? Then you should visit the mountains, rainforests, rivers and lakes in the national parks of the region. You can explore these independently, on guided tours or together with other volunteers. Athletes also get their money’s worth with surfing and diving on the coasts and beaches. In New Zealand you can also go mountaineering and even skiing in winter.

Why is volunteering in Oceania with RGV a good idea?

• We have been organizing volunteer work in numerous countries around the world for over 20 years.
• You decide when your journey starts. We give you the greatest possible flexibility when planning your project.
• We accompany and support you on your journey from preparation to your return. With us you have a fixed contact person at all times.
• You can pursue a meaningful activity in your target country and at the same time get to know the local culture and people.
• After successfully completing your project, you will receive a certificate for your CV or your studies.

Volunteer work in environmental and nature conservation

Like everywhere else in the world, the ecosystems in Australia and New Zealand are threatened by climate change and pollution. Rising sea levels, water and environmental pollution and the loss of natural habitats not only pose major challenges for animals and plants, but also for the people in the region.

If you want to actively do something against this development, you can get involved in one of our nature conservation projects in Oceania. Get involved with Conservation project in Auckland and help to protect the forest and river landscapes there. Support the team in Wellington working to create new habitats for endangered bird species in the city. Or learn more about a sustainable lifestyle in our Eco Villages in Australia.

Australia

As the largest country in the region, Australia extends across four climate zones and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. While the climate in the south is temperate, temperatures in the center of the country often rise to 40 degrees or more. Australia is also perfect for escaping the European winter. Because: Since Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the warmest time of the year is between December and February. But you will hardly be cold during the rest of the year.

Spread across the country are countless natural landscapes that are definitely worth a visit. You will find white sandy beaches along the numerous coasts and islands of Australia, rainforests in the north and in Tasmania and not to forget Uluru (also Ayers Rock) in the middle of the Australian outback. At least as impressive is the gigantic Great Barrier Reef off the east coast.

Most of the big cities are also in the east of the country. Here you can visit famous sights such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbor Bridge, let yourself be carried away by the pulsating city life and get to know the casual Australian way of life in direct contact.

New Zealand

Southeast of Australia is New Zealand. The country consists of two main islands (North and South Island) and is one of the safest and most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Above all, the year-round pleasant climate and the untouched nature make the country so exciting for travelers. While the inland lures with spectacular mountains, active volcanoes and natural thermal baths, you will find fjord landscapes and endless beaches with crystal clear water along the coasts.

The Kiwis, as the residents of New Zealand are also known, live mostly in the cities and are known for their hospitality. Around two thirds of the residents have European roots. The remaining third is made up of Asians, Pacific Islanders and Maori, New Zealand's indigenous people.

The Tongariro National Park between Auckland and Wellington is the perfect place to get to know the diverse nature. There you will find rainforests, mountains, volcanoes and wild rivers. Particularly interesting for film fans: The Ngauruhoe, one of the active volcanoes in the park, was seen as Mount Doom in the "Lord of the Rings" series.

Even more "Lord of the Rings" feeling can only be found on the Hobbiton film set south of Auckland, whose green hills connoisseurs will immediately recognize as the Shire from the film trilogy. But Auckland can also convince off the screen. A mix of modern architecture and idyllic harbors full of sailing ships characterize the cityscape of the dynamic metropolis. Around the city you will also find numerous nature parks and islands, all of which are worth a visit.