Welcome to our AWC Volunteer Community

Volunteer Project Description

Project Title and AWC Sanctuary

Survey Title: Mallee Cliffs Red-tailed Phascogale Trapping Survey March 2026

Project Description and Dates

Dates: Monday 23^rd to Friday 27^th March 2026.

Sanctuary Details: Mallee Cliffs is located about 30 kilometres 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 March 2026, AWC will be undertaking the annual trapping survey of the reintroduced Red-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale calura) at Mallee Cliffs National Park, NSW. *

We are looking for enthusiastic and capable volunteers to assist AWC field ecologists in conducting this trapping survey. This survey involves three teams of two people setting tree mounted Elliott traps in Belah woodlands for Red-tailed Phascogales (RTPs). The purpose of the survey is to gain an understanding of population growth, dispersal, recruitment and health of RTPs. The survey involves setting traps in the afternoon/evening and checking them before sunrise the following morning, hence the necessity for the ability to work irregular hours and manage fatigue. Approx Working Hours: 5pm – 7pm and 4am – 10am everyday (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. Non-target animals will also be processed if trapped. This, and other information will then be recorded using a data-collection application called Fulcrum on a handheld tablet. 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 opportunity would be great for anyone interested in gaining more experience in field-based skills required for a career in conservation. 

*Note: Concurrently, AWC will be undertaking the annual trapping survey of the Red-tailed Phascogale at Scotia Sanctuary, NSW (approx. 2.5hrs north-west of Mildura). Please see relevant advertisement for this position and apply for both surveys if you wish to be considered.

Volunteer tasks

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

• Setting Elliott traps (on tree platforms for Red-tailed Phascogales)
• Data entry (Fulcrum app on provided tablets)
• Assisting with navigation to survey locations
• Checking traps
• Helping to remove animals from traps and process animals (where appropriate)

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

• This survey uses peanut butter as bait. Unfortunately, if you have an allergy, this survey will not be appropriate for you.
• A moderate level of fitness and ability to cope with fatigue, especially early morning starts. Regularly bending and squatting to check traps.
• Teamwork focused mindset and willingness to help with other survey duties such as cooking, cleaning and gear preparation
• You will need to make your way to Buronga, NSW

Key requirements:

• Attention to detail, particularly pertaining to data entry
• The ability to work well in a small team in a remote location
• Being able to maintain a positive attitude in challenging conditions is essential

AWC Provides

• Transportation from Buronga, NSW to Mallee Cliffs
• Food (please advise of any dietary requirements on the MyImpact portal)
• Accommodation (room with private bathroom, shared cooking facilities)
• All equipment required to run the survey

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

• Transportation to Buronga, NSW
• Clothes for field work (long pants, long sleeve shirts, enclosed shoes, and warm clothing essential, rain jacket, thermals, beanie, and gloves highly recommended)
• Bedding (linen or sleeping bag, pillow)
• Towel
• Water bottles (3L capacity minimum)
• Head torch (with spare batteries), binoculars, camera (optional)

Volunteers will need to make their way to our depot at 15 Silver City Highway Buronga, NSW, at 12pm on Monday 23^rd March 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 27^th March at approximately 4pm.

Project Coordinator Contact:

Genevieve Heggarty (Field Ecologist)

Email: Genevieve.Heggarty@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.