Welcome to our AWC Volunteer Community

Volunteer Project Description 

Image credit: Audrey Beard 

Project Title and AWC Sanctuary  

Survey Title: Mallee Cliffs Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby Trapping Survey - April 2026 

Project Description and Dates  

Dates: Monday 20th April to Friday 24th April 2026 - volunteers need to be available the entire duration of the survey and sign up for each survey day 

Sanctuary Details: Mallee Cliffs is located approximately 30 km from Mildura, in the south-west of NSW. Established as a national park in 1977, it covers 57,969 hectares of open grassy plains, spinifex covered dunes, Belah woodlands and old-growth Mallee. Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) works at Mallee Cliffs under a historic partnership with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Key features of the partnership include the establishment of a 9,570 hectare feral predator-free fence (constructed in 2019) and the reintroduction of 9 locally-extinct mammals. 

Project Details: Please note you will be submitting an expression of interest only. You will be contacted by an AWC staff member to confirm your position on the survey. 

In April 2026, AWC will be conducting an annual trapping survey of a reintroduced species, the Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata), at Mallee Cliffs National Park, NSW. 

We are seeking enthusiastic and capable volunteers to assist AWC field ecologists in conducting this survey. The survey involves two teams of two or three people setting and checking Thomas traps within the fenced area for Bridled Nail-tailed Wallabies (BNTW). The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of BNTW population growth, health and dispersal. The survey involves setting traps in the afternoon/evening and checking them before sunrise the following morning, hence necessitates the ability to work irregular hours and manage fatigue.

 Approx. Working Hours: 3pm – 6pm and 8pm – 3am every day (up to 8 hrs each day). Please note these shifts may be subject to change.   

Volunteers will work under instruction from AWC staff and will be required to adhere to AWC’s workplace safety guidelines. As such, only AWC staff will be driving for the duration of the survey. Each survey team will be led by an AWC staff member. When a target animal is trapped, we will perform a full health assessment including PIT tagging (microchipping), DNA sample collection, check reproductive status, weight, and body condition. As part of BNTW monitoring, some individuals were fitted with VHF radio collars to track movement within the park. If any collared BNTW are captured, they will have their VHF collar removed. Non-target animals will also be processed if trapped. In line with ethics standards, AWC staff will determine whether volunteers are able to handle any animals during the survey. 

Previous experience in field work is strongly desired, but not essential. All volunteers will receive a full induction into the project and comprehensive training from AWC staff, including animal handling. We are looking for enthusiastic people interested in learning more about our unique wildlife and their conservation. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in gaining more experience in field-based skills required for a career in wildlife conservation. 

Volunteer tasks 

Volunteers will work as a team lead by the Project Coordinator and AWC Sanctuary staff to carry out tasks including: 

Things to be aware of when considering applying for this volunteer role: 

Key requirements: 

AWC Provides  

Accommodation will be provided at Mallee Cliffs in Single Persons Quarters (SPQs). However, you will need to bring your own bedding (see ‘What to bring’). Facilities include a communal kitchen with all cooking equipment and drinking water. Wi-Fi is available in the main office building, but as it is satellite internet and therefore expensive, we ask that use is kept to a minimum and no streaming services are used. Reception is patchy depending on your provider.  

All meals and snacks are provided. If you haven’t given your dietary requirements via the Better Impact portal, please let us know ahead of time. Please feel free to bring any personal snacks if desired. 

Volunteers Provide  

Volunteers will need to make their way to our depot at 15 Silver City Highway Buronga, NSW, at 12pm on Monday 20th April 2026. If driving, you can leave your car parked securely at our depot. If flying to Mildura, we can organise to pick you up from the airport. We will depart Mallee Cliffs and arrive back at our depot in Buronga on Friday 24th April at approximately 4pm. 

Project Coordinator Contact:  

Kate Moffatt (Field Ecologist) 

Email: Kate.Moffatt@australianwildlife.org 

****Recruitment Process****- AWC Project Coordinators will assess volunteers’ profiles upon application (signup). Suitable candidates that meet project requirements will be contacted directly for a follow up discussion before final decisions are made. Once successful candidates have been offered a position, volunteers will be assigned to the project and should expect to receive all relevant onboarding documentation soon after and before deployment. Please ensure your MyImpact profile is complete with contact details and all supporting information to provide you with the best opportunity for a successful placement.  

Please note- due to the high-level of interest we receive for our volunteer opportunities we regret we cannot respond individually to unsuccessful applicants. We thank each of you for your keen interest and ongoing support.