Bluesfest Vollie Department

 

Frequently Asked Questions - 2025

 

Can I volunteer more hours on other days as I am not able to get there on the Thursday?

Unfortunately no – sorry! If you would like to volunteer during the festival you must be available for volunteer work on all 4 days. Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun. You will need to complete a 5 hour shift on each of the 4 days. Please note that Thursday 17th April 2025 is NOT a public holiday, please take this into consideration and organise yourself accordingly.

 

Can I volunteer with my friend/s?

Once you have been accepted to volunteer at Bluesfest 2025, (you will receive an acceptance email) your best option for volunteering with friends is to all log in to your volunteer profiles together/at the same time and choose the same roster preference once these become available. Please note we try very hard to give you your preferred roster however it is not a guarantee.

 

Camping

Is there camping for volunteers?

Volunteer Camping is now sold out for 2025, please take this into consideration when applying.

Volunteers are responsible for organising their own accommodation and transport.

There are a small number of discounted camping spots available for volunteers, PLEASE NOTE THIS IS FIRST IN BEST DRESSED, once this allocation is filled it will no longer be an option.  Info on how to organise the discounted vollie camping will be emailed to you when it becomes available, please do not contact the Office or us until that time.  For alternative accommodation options please research the local area or look into regular Bluesfest general camping tickets, but as mentioned this is your own responsibility.

 

Parking

Parking On site during the festival will be free for all volunteers

 

Getting there

Where to go?

(Tyagarah, Lot 5)

The Bluesfest site is located at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, located 9km north of Byron Bay CBD.  Volunteers are required to make their own way to the festival site via their own transport, carpooling and/or public transport. You will be sent more info on the location of Vollie HQ closer to the festival.

 

Parking can be some distance from the festival site and hence adequate time should be allowed to ensure a relaxed, safe journey and to be on-site on time.  Parking for Vollies is free!

 

During the festival (only) frequent shuttle bus services run to and from the festival area to various local centres (Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Bangalow and Ballina) for a fee.

 

Be organised – make sure to organise your travel plans (if applicable) in advance.

As already mentioned please take careful note of the volunteer requirements (dates, public holidays, festival location etc.) and ensure that you are able to fulfil these before committing.

 

Registration

When and where must I be for registration if I am volunteering during the festival?

When you select your roster preference as well as shift times it will tell you your registration time. This will also be communicated in the weeks leading up to the festival. Registration is at Vollie HQ. You will be sent a map in the lead up as well.  Please ensure you have read the shifts carefully and are aware that as a ’during festival’ volunteer you are required for shifts Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun.

 

Shifts

What do I need to know for my volunteer shifts?

• Turn up 15 - 30 mins before your shift starts

• Be prepared for your shift when signing on (wearing closed shoes, fed/hydrated, post bathroom/toilet)

• Sign on for your shift at the correct rostered time with your team leader and from there you will be escorted to your work place, do not wonder off without your teamleader!

• Fulfil your duties in the role you have been assigned too, stay at your post at all times during your shift and/or follow provided instructions.

• Sign off at the end of your 5 hour shift without delay with your team leader (not before or sometime after)

• Always adhere to Bluesfest volunteering process, conditions, Health & Safety Policy and the law.

• Have fun, interact & enjoy the festival!

 

Please read through the attachments in the acceptance email for further information.

 

Pre-Fest

Is there camping and/or transportation for pre-fest?

Short answer NO.

If you wish to volunteer for pre-fest please be aware that you will have to organise your own accommodation offsite and transport to and from the festival site. These roles are great for locals!

 

Is there post-fest volunteer work?

YES, feel free to check in on this page at a later stage for any updates. Please do not count on there being post-fest volunteer work.

 

Is there paid work?

We are the volunteer department and as such only organise the volunteers, please do not contact us in regards to paid work! Hint: Loads of vollies get paid work the following year, work hard and show your department manager what you’ve got.  An awesome attitude goes a long way!

 

Roster

When can I choose my Roster?

Things will work a little differently in 2025.  As we are dealing with a lot of different and new requirements that are constantly changing Rosters won't be available to choose until much closer to the Festival Date.  If your application is accepted you will be notified as soon as Rosters are available to choose.

 

Can I swap one or more shifts?

Unfortunately the answer is no, but………

We are dealing with a large number of volunteers and if everyone were to swap around we wouldn’t be able to run the department and cater to the festival’s needs. Our rosters are rotating to ensure a fair distribution across the 4 days. However, if you get to the festival and you desperately need to see a band, and you REALLY need to swap a shift, talk to your team leader when you arrive.  If it is ok with them you can try and find someone in another roster to swap that shift with.  This is by no means a given but we will try and help if we can.

 

Can I change my roster preference?

You will be able to change your roster preference up until we lock them in and send you your assigned roster. Please note that you can only select available rosters as a preference and rosters will fill up rather quickly.  Only sign up for ONE Roster!

 

Once you receive communication from us that your roster has been assigned you will not be able to make changes.

 

What do the roster colours mean?

Red – Camping

Orange – Waste management

Green – Bars

Purple – Customer Service

Hover over the info button for all the details on each roster.

 

How do I withdraw my volunteer application?

If you are no longer able to volunteer with Bluesfest 2025 PLEASE withdraw as soon as possible. This will free up a spot for someone else. If you are unable to volunteer and do not withdraw this could affect any future prospects of volunteering with Bluesfest.

To withdraw simply email us at bluesfestvollieapplications@gmail.com with WITHDRAW in the Title.

 

Back of House roles

Please be advised that these roles are allocated somewhat differently. They are not available to choose as a roster preference. There are only a few spots available and we assign them on our end. If you are experienced in this area and wish to volunteer in this area please ensure you have advised so in your volunteer application. You can add this information to your volunteer profile: My Profile – Additional Info – Scroll down to Qualifications & Skills.

 

4 day Festival Pass

What do I get in exchange for volunteering?

As a Bluesfest 2025 Volunteer you are committing to 25 hours of Volunteer Work during Pre Festival OR 20 hours of volunteer work During Festival. This work is for one ‘4-day ticket’, which is non transferable, or for exchange for single one-day tickets.

 

My Volunteer Profile

How do I log in?

Click here to log in, then enter your username and password.

If you do not remember your password click on “forgot username or password” and it will take you through steps to reset your password. You will receive your new password in an email. Once you log in it will prompt you to update your password. If you do not remember your username click on “forgot username or password” and it will take you through steps to retrieve your username. You will receive your username in an email.

 

Bond

What is the volunteer bond?

Please note that as a ‘during festival’ volunteer if your application is successful, you will be required to commit to a $250 bond when you register, for example you may be asked to provide your credit card details OR a $250 hold may be placed on your card. The bond is only forfeited (ie: charged) in the event of misconduct and as a result, you are removed from the volunteering team.

 

A bond commitment from volunteers helps to ensure we have a secure and honest volunteer team to help run the event and minimises disruptions for the volunteering team and the festival.

 

Good conduct is

• Turning up 15 - 30 mins before your shift starts

• Being prepared for your shift when signing on (wearing closed shoes, fed/hydrated, post bathroom/toilet)

• Signing on for your shift at the correct rostered time with your team leader and being escorted to your work place.

• Fulfilling your duties in the role you have been assigned too, staying at your post at all times during your shift and/or following provided instructions.

• Signing off at the end of your 5 hour shift without delay with your team leader (not before or sometime after)

• Always adhering to Bluesfest volunteering process, conditions, Health & Safety Policy and the law.

• Having fun, interacting & enjoying the festival!

For further info and downloads please log in to your Volunteer Profile and view the information on the homepage/dashboard.