GoAbroad

Volunteer Programs in Brisbane, Australia

Try to imagine this as your daily routine while volunteering abroad in Brisbane. You’ll walk along turquoise blue water and pristine beaches while looking out at the skyline of Australia’s third largest city. You will be sipping on one of the country’s best coffees with a croissant in your other hand as you head towards a renowned art gallery. You will meet an international group of friends before you head off to volunteer with a local project. Doesn’t that sound a little bit magical? That could be your life when you choose to volunteer abroad in Brisbane, Australia!
Read More
Maximo Nivel volunteers

Featured Provider of the Month

5 Volunteer Programs in Brisbane, Australia

Gapforce

9.05

21

Australia Adventure with Gapforce

This Gapforce program is an action-packed, six-week tour combining travel and adventure with volunteering on Australia's famed East Coast. Your journey begins in the awesome city of Sydney before heading north to Brisbane via the legendary Byron Bay. You will spend two weeks volunteering on an environmental conservation project, a great way to give back to this amazing country, before continuing north into Queensland. Sailing on the Whitsunday islands, 4x4 jeep rides on Fraser Island, and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef are just some of the highlights. Your epic adventure ends with a week in Cape Tribulation, a stunning paradise where the reef meets the rainforest.

Travel For Teens

9.85

13

Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service

Fly across the International Dateline and arrive in the Land Down Under! Our journey to Australia and New Zealand is a TFT favorite, combining adventure with cultural exploration and major travel destinations with little-known gems. In New Zealand, we will experience the country’s famed natural beauty and enjoy a boat cruise on picture-perfect Milford Sound in the mountains. During the cruise, we will watch for penguins, seals, and even dolphins! We will also take an exhilarating ride on the world’s fastest jet boat, zooming through rock canyons. To cap off our time in New Zealand, we will enjoy a traditional Maori ceremony and even have the chance to learn the dance and participate! After New Zealand, we’ll hop on a short flight for the ultimate Australian experience. Here, we will enjoy the best of Australia’s wildlife while completing service work with local organizations dedicated to protecting the country’s unique and diverse wildlife and natural habitat. Projects include working at a rehabilitation center where we will help care for injured and orphaned tree-kangaroos and reintroduce them back into the wild, and visiting an endangered ecosystem.

See All 3 Programs

Pacific Discovery

9.4

35

Semester Abroad in New Zealand & Australia - Conservation

Experience an unforgettable 10-week Gap Year Semester through New Zealand and Australia, two of the world’s most amazing travel destinations. This Pacific Discovery program is designed for students taking a gap year, seeking an alternative study abroad, or looking to combine travel with purpose. Journey across dramatic landscapes, from the fjords of New Zealand to the tropical reefs of Australia. Hike, surf, snorkel, and dive while building global perspective through hands-on conservation and meaningful service learning. Learn directly from Māori and Indigenous Australian communities through authentic cultural exchange. Along the way, develop real-world skills in leadership, teamwork, and sustainability with the option to earn U.S. college credit. With experienced instructors by your side, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and lifelong friendships while exploring two iconic destinations for adventure and growth. Whether you’re preparing for college, building your resume, or redefining your education through travel, this immersive journey will leave you inspired and ready for what’s next. Inquire today to start your New Zealand & Australia Semester with Pacific Discovery.

A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Brisbane

What you need to know about volunteering in Brisbane

As the bustling capital city of Queensland, Brisbane has no shortage of things to entertain international volunteers (kangaroos excluded) before, during and after their volunteer work. Make an impact while also have a super fun experience!

Popular causes/projects in Brisbane. Australia remains one of the largest but most sparsely populated countries in the world, so a majority of the volunteer projects in the country involve some sort of environmental work. That is no exception in Brisbane! With close proximity to the Barrier Reef, several national parks and state forests, Brisbane has a bevy of options to offer international volunteers who are passionate about environmental work. Given its access to natural surroundings, some of the most popular projects in this region of Australia are animal welfare, reforestation and marine conservation. There is no shortage of outdoorsy causes to support!

Short term volunteer programs in Brisbane. If you only have a few weeks to dedicate to life down under, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to participate in short-term volunteer work in Brisbane! Conservation related projects are incredibly popular because they give you a chance to get your feet wet (literally wet in the ocean!) for just a few weeks at a time. Brisbane suffers from a sweltering heat during the summer especially in January, so you’ll want to take that into account in your decision making.

Long term volunteer projects in Brisbane. If you’re going to fly all the way to Australia, you might as well stay for a while with a long-term volunteer project! Long term projects really allow you to make an impact the local community. Many of Australia’s urban areas, Brisbane included, have marginalized communities that can benefit from the work of long-term volunteers supporting their local causes. Plus, you’ll be developing some serious skills to add to your resume!

Popular Providers

Latest Program Reviews

Impact in the Outback

November 14, 2025by: Hayden Ansel - United StatesProgram: Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service
9

Going to Australia and New Zealand was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Paragliding was insane definitely the most unforgettable part and getting to see kangaroos and koalas up close felt like something out of a movie. We spent time planting trees, which was actually really cool and made me feel like I was doing something good for the environment. Exploring Sydney, climbing the Harbor Bridge, and going to a rugby game gave me a real feel for the culture. Every day was packed with something new, and I still think about it all the time.

Deals Banner Image
Apply for Scholarships & Deals on GoAbroad

to get exclusive discounts on meaningful travel programs!

Apply Now

Recent Volunteer Abroad Articles

kangaroo in a field of flowers
Australian landscape
Top Picks
Challenges of Volunteering
How Does Volunteering Help Communities Abroad?
Travel Inspiration
camel caravan through the desert
50+ Travel
volunteer hand touching small girl’s hand
Health & Safety Tips
sea turtle on a white sand beach
How to
Vintage red phone booth in New Zealand
Before You Go
Three adult volunteers working outside
For 30-Somethings