Welcome to our AWC Volunteer Community

Volunteer Project Description  

Project Title and AWC Sanctuary  

Survey Title: Scotia Sanctuary Red-tailed Phascogale Trapping Survey March 2026 

Project Description and Dates  

Dates: Monday 23rd to Friday 27th March 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 March 2026, AWC will be undertaking the annual trapping survey of the reintroduced Red-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale calura) at Scotia Sanctuary, NSW. * 

We are looking for enthusiastic and capable volunteers to assist AWC field ecologists in conducting this trapping survey. This survey involves two 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: 4pm – 7pm and 5am – 11am everyday (up to 8 hrs each day). Please note timing of 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. In line with ethics standards, AWC staff will determine whether volunteers are able to handle 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 Mallee Cliffs National Park, NSW (approx. 30 km from 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.  

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 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 10:30 am on Monday 23rd March, 2026. If driving, you can leave your car parked securely at our depot. Alternatively, you can also drive directly to Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday 23rd March arriving at approx. 1-2pm. We will depart Scotia and arrive back at our depot in Buronga on Friday 27th March 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.