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Welcome! Volunteer and Discover Opportunities |
The Western Health Volunteer Program focuses on engaging with our local community by offering relevant and worthwhile volunteering opportunities.
Volunteers are the connection between community and public health services, ensuring it stays relevant and accessible. They are the positive energy that powers Western Health.
Join us in becoming a volunteer champion of public hospitals at Western Health.
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Why Volunteer With Us? |
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, backgrounds, languages, cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are looking for students, CALD community members, immigrants, and refugees, as well as teenagers, undergraduates, and people of all abilities. Even if you're over 60 and looking to fulfil Centrelink mutual obligations, we've got a spot for you.
- Join the fun squad: Join forces with other amazing volunteers and become part of a team that’s dedicated to making a difference whilst having a blast! Choose to walk kms with a purpose, or log how many people you interact with each day.
- Recognition: Your invaluable contributions in the community, showcased during National Volunteer Week, in our newsletter, in social media and beyond.
- Full training and support are provided so you can feel confident in your role.
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The Process of Becoming a Western Health Volunteer |
Step 1: Scroll down 
to browse 'Volunteering Opportunities at Western Health'
Step 2: Find an opportunity which interests you and click on the 'fill in an application' button.
Step 3: Once you have completed an application, someone from the Volunteer Coordination team will contact you to discuss your application and arrange a time for a volunteer interview.
Volunteering opportunities are currently available at:
- Footscray Hospital (Including New Footscray Hospital opening February 2026)
- Williamstown Hospital
- Bacchus Marsh
- Opportunity Shops
Questions?
For more information, or if you need help with your application, contact the Volunteer Program Office on (03) 8395 9092 or email volunteer@wh.org.au
I would like to volunteer
Current Volunteering Opportunities at Western Health
Visitor Guide
Ready, Set, Guide! Join our team as a Hospital Visitor Guide
Locations: Footscray Hospital including New Footscray Hospital in February 2026 (Please note, there is limited availability for this role at Sunshine Hospital. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further).
Are you ready to lace up your sneakers and make a difference with every step? If so, we want YOU to become part of our Volunteer Visitor Guide Team at Western Health!
What you will be doing:
With thousands of people moving through Western Health Public Hospitals every week, our Volunteer Visitor Guides help patients, visitors, and staff find their way around. Whether it’s way-finding to appointments, or guiding people to the nearest snack spot, you’ll be making every step count. As the first friendly face people see when they enter the hospital, your warm welcoming smile will help to put visitors at ease.
Shift Hours: 3 hours weekly or fortnightly.
Interested in this role? Click ‘fill in an application’ to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 o email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Library Trolley
Do you ''Wheely'' Like Books? Become a Library Trolley Volunteer!
Locations: Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital
Come and wheel our trolley full of books and magazines from ward to ward in our hospitals to brighten patients’ days.
What you will be doing:
Isn’t it rewarding when someone enjoys your favourite read?
Do you think a story can brighten someone's day?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then maybe this role is for you - Share your love of reading and brighten someone's day!
Volunteers on the library trolley wheel a trolley full of free magazines and books from ward to ward in the hospital, for patients to enjoy during their stay.
Maybe you are a book worm or literature lover, so are some of our patients! Some people like their phones and some need a break from the blue screen. Magazines and books help break up the monotony.
Meet William, a volunteer on the library trolley at Western Health
Shift Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Volunteer Meals Assistance Program
Break Mealtime Monotony - Support Patients to Enjoy Their Food
Locations: Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital
As a volunteer in our meal assistance program, you will have the opportunity to visit patients, ensure they can access their lunch, and engage in friendly conversations to brighten their day.
What you will be doing:
Join our team of dedicated volunteers in our mission to reduce patient malnutrition and make mealtime a more sociable and enjoyable experience for the patients of Western Health. The Volunteer Meal Assistant Program (VMAP) evolved in response to a Western Health Nutrition Department study that identified a range of benefits in providing one-on-one meal assistance to hospital patients. The program won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2012 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards.
Joining VMAP will see you visiting patients, engaging in friendly conversation, offering assistance such as opening containers and ensuring utensils are in easy reach. Volunteers softly encourage eating, so that patients are able to eat and enjoy their meals.
Shift Hours: Shifts run from 11:30am-1pm; on weekdays.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Opportunity Shops
Are You Looking For an ''Opportunity''?
Locations:
- Bacchus Marsh Hospital Opportunity Shop (Gell St)
- Williamstown Opportunity Shop (Ferguson St)
- Footscray Hospital
Community run and led, join our Op Shop volunteer team and be at the heart of positive change!
What you will be doing:
Make new friends, contribute to your local Western Health Public Hospital, strive to support and serve your local community. Western Health Opportunity Shops endeavour to reduce landfill and ensure the best price for the community. With thousands of tonnes of clothing and second-hand items being diverted to landfill, become an Op Shop volunteer and help the circular economy. If you have a “can do” attitude and provide a warm friendly welcome to customers and volunteers alike, love diversity and wish to be part of something bigger, apply today.
Shift Hours:
- Shifts at Sunshine Opportunity Shop are currently available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Shifts at Williamstown Opportunity Shop are currently available Monday - Sunday.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Patient Meal Surveys
Help us Dish out Better Care as a Patient Meal Survey Volunteer
Locations: Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital
Are you friendly, approachable, and enjoy a good chat? We are looking for volunteers to visit patients and help collect feedback about their meal experience in the hospital.
What you will be doing:
Volunteer with us and chat with patients about their hospital meal experience to gather valuable feedback. Your involvement will help to improve the quality of our food services. You will directly support our goal of offering more culturally sensitive food choices that meet the needs of our diverse community.
Shift Hours: 2-4 hours weekly or fortnightly
Interested in this role? Click 'fill in an application' to apply
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Social Support
Lend us Your Ears - Become a Social Support Volunteer
Locations: Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital
At Western Health, we’re seeking compassionate volunteers to join our social support program. Whether you’re up for a lively chat, a game of cards, or sharing a story, you can make a huge difference for patients during their hospital stay.
What you will be doing:
Western Health’s Social Support Volunteers visit patients within Western Health’s hospitals to offer friendly conversation. Whether it’s doing crosswords with patients, or sharing stories, you will have the opportunity to meet new people. Maybe you’re a master of scrabble or have some other talents up your sleeve - even better! We love it when our volunteers bring their skills and enthusiasm to the table.
Have we sparked your interest? If you feel excited at the idea of interacting and engaging with people, we encourage you to apply to volunteer with Western Health today.
Minimum Age Requirement: 18+ years
Shift Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight, shifts are available Monday-Sunday; between the hours of 9am-6pm.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Friendly Visiting Program (Bacchus Marsh)
A Brew-tiful Opportunity to Join Our Volunteer Friendly Visiting!
Location: Bacchus Marsh and surrounds.
Do you believe in the magic of a good cup of tea and a great conversation? Maybe you love meeting new people and playing a game of scrabble? If so, our Friendly Visiting Program is perfect for you.
What you will be doing:
Western Health’s friendly visiting program is all about bringing companionship and joy to older people who may be feeling lonely. We match volunteers to an older person to provide companionship visits on an ongoing basis and help them feel more connected to the broader community. Your friendly visits could involve enjoying a chat and a cuppa, browsing through photo albums, and sharing life stories.
Minimum age and role requirements:
- Minimum age: 25+ years
- You have your full licence and a good driving record
Role Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight, available between the hours 9am-6pm, Monday-Sunday.
Interested in this role? Click ‘fill in an application’ to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Recognising the Impact of Volunteers
Western Health recognises the great contribution our volunteers make and the work they do.
Imagine the services and programs of Western Health without the support of volunteers. Then imagine the possibilities. Active citizens make a difference.
Together, Caring for the West
your Culture | your Ability | your Identity
We welcome you at Western Health
Western Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of all the lands and waterways on which Western Health staff, volunteers, consumers and caregivers come together. As we work, learn and grow, we pay our deep respects to the Elders and Traditional Custodians past, present and emerging of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung, Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wadawurrung Countries of the greater Kulin Nation.
We are committed to the healing of country, working towards equity in health outcomes, and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.
Western Health is committed to respectfully listening and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we are truly guided by the values of relationship, responsibility and respect.
