Welcome to our AWC Volunteer Community

Volunteer Project Description  

Project Title and AWC Sanctuary  

Survey Title: Scotia Sanctuary Burrowing Bettong Survey - May 2026 

Project Description and Dates  

Dates: Sunday 17th – Friday 22nd May 2026.  

Sanctuary Details: Scotia Sanctuary is situated in south-western NSW, approximately 150 km north of Wentworth. The property is 65,000 ha in size, bordering South Australia. Scotia has an 8,000 hectare feral predator-free area which is made up of two 4,000 hectare areas known as Stage 1 and Stage 2. Reintroduced animals existing in the fenced area include Greater Bilby, Numbat, Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby, Burrowing Bettong and the Red-tailed Phascogale.  

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 May 2026, AWC will be undertaking annual live trapping survey of reintroduced species Burrowing Bettong (Boodie; Bettongia lesueur) at Scotia Sanctuary, NSW.  

We are looking for enthusiastic and capable volunteers to assist AWC field ecologists in conducting this live trapping survey. This survey involves four teams of two people setting baited* cage traps to monitor Boodies. The purpose of the survey is to gain an understanding of population growth, recruitment and health of this reintroduced species. The survey involves setting traps in the afternoon/evening and checking them two hours after sunset and processing throughout the night, hence the necessity for the ability to work irregular hours and manage fatigue. Approx Working Hours: 3:30pm – 6pm and 9pm – ~6am everyday (potentially over 11 hrs each day). Please note the finish times of these shifts are subject to change depending on number of animals captured.   

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 and animal handling is desirable 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: cage traps are baited with peanut butter and oats, unfortunately we cannot accept anyone with a peanut allergy.  

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  

Volunteers can either meet AWC staff in Buronga, NSW, and share transport up to Scotia in AWC vehicles. Volunteers also have the option to make their own way to Scotia Sanctuary. Note that travel to Scotia requires driving on unsealed roads. Please let us know your travel preference so that we can plan accordingly. 

Accommodation will be provided at Scotia, however you will need to bring your own bedding (see ‘What to bring’). Facilities include a communal kitchen with all cooking equipment, drinking water and communal spaces. Showers are available, although due to running on desalinated bore water, we ask you to keep them short. 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. There is no reception at Scotia, however the office landline can be used if required.  

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 Sunday March 17th May 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. Alternatively, you can also drive directly to Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday 17th May arriving at approx. 2-3pm. We will depart Scotia and arrive back at our depot in Buronga on Friday 22nd approximately 7pm. 

Project Coordinator Contact:  

Email: max.boulton@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.