RMIT University Student Union. For Students, By Students.

  • rusu@rmit.edu.au

Volunteer with RUSU​

Develop new skills, gain experience and make new friends!

Volunteering at RUSU gives you a chance to develop new skills and socialise with fellow students, as you gain practical experience in a supported environment. Take a chance to do something different as you expand your social and professional networks. All skills developed through volunteering can assist you in preparing for paid work outside of uni – win, win!

Induction Sessions

To become a volunteer with RUSU, you must attend an in-person induction session with the RUSU Volunteer Coordinator. Induction session details will be shared with you once you have completed the Expression of Interest (please be mindful of the period in which you complete the EOI form).  

Your contribution as a RUSU Volunteer, no matter how big or small, helps us reach and support more RMIT students.  

Volunteering at RUSU gives you a chance to develop new skills, and socialise with fellow students as you gain practical experience in a supported environment. Take a chance to do something different as you expand your social and professional networks. All skills developed through volunteering can assist you in preparing for paid work outside of RMIT – win, win!  

After you attend a RUSU induction session, you will be able to register for volunteering areas that best suit and interest you. After you attend a RUSU induction session, you will be able to express interest in volunteering areas that best suit and interest you. We have huge interest in our volunteer program, and as such unfortunately will not be able to accommodate every request or place every budding volunteer. However, we will try our best to help find you a volunteer role within one (or more) of our volunteer departments.   

As a RUSU Volunteer, you will receive access to:  

  • Accredited training related to your volunteer role, such as Responsible Service of Alcohol, Food Safety and Mental Health First Aid  
  • Supervision and support from RUSU Staff  
  • Social activities and events just for RUSU Volunteers  
  • Recognition on your RMIT transcript and a certificate if you complete at least 15 hours of volunteer work with RUSU within the year
     

We have volunteer opportunities at RMIT’s Brunswick Campus, Bundoora West Campus, Bundoora East Campus, and City/Carlton Campus. 

January – March: Complete Expression of Interest form to join in Semester 1
March – April: Invitations to Inductions sessions will be sent to those who completed the Expression of Interest form
March – April: Induction session run between Semester 1, Week 0 to Week 5 
April – June: Complete Expression of Interest form to join in Semester 2
June – July: Invitations to Induction sessions will be sent to those who completed the Expression of Interest form between April to June
July – August: Induction sessions run between Semester 2, Week 0 to Week 3, expression of Interest form closes for the year 

Areas you can volunteer in:

Activities & Events

RUSU serves over 7,000 free meals to RMIT students each week, thanks to our amazing Activities and Events Volunteers. As a volunteer, you’ll help with our Chill N Grill lunches, free breakfasts, and fun events like trivia nights, student forums, and postgraduate meetups. You'll also gain valuable skills and have the chance to get training in Responsible Service of Alcohol and Food Safety Handling. Whether you're experienced or new to volunteering, we'd love to have you on the team!

Realfoods Cafe

Realfoods is more than just a cafe. It offers RMIT students delicious, affordable vegetarian meals four days per week during the semester. This unique initiative is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers who assist with food preparation, customer service, and overall cafe operations. Volunteers receive comprehensive food safety training, along with extensive on-the-job experience, to build their skills in a vibrant café setting. If you are looking for a dynamic, hands-on volunteer opportunity, Realfoods could be the perfect fit for you.

Compass

RUSU’s Compass Drop-In Centre is a safe space where students can find support and resources. As a Compass volunteer, you'll welcome students, help them take the first steps toward getting assistance, and work with coordinators to run outreach events. Volunteers are needed at both the City and Bundoora West locations. This opportunity is open to RMIT students in Psychology, Social Work, Youth Work, Community Services, and Bundoora Nursing programs.

Information Counter

RUSU information counters are the gateway to your student union. As an info counter volunteer, you will work with a RUSU student liaison officer to answer enquiries about the services available to the RMIT student community, and assist with office administration tasks such as photocopying, answering and forwarding calls, word processing etc. No prior administration experience is necessary, this is your opportunity to gain those super valuable office skills and experience!

Student Appeals

Student appeals volunteers serve as members of RMIT committees that oversee the academic progress and general conduct of RMIT students. Volunteers receive training on RMIT policies and regulations and learn how to apply them when assessing student cases. Volunteering with student appeals is a unique opportunity for those interested in policy, analysis, and student rights, as it ensures that the student perspective is represented in university decision-making processes.

Volunteer with RUSU

COMPLETE FORM

A little note:

In line with RMIT policy, all volunteers must have a valid Working with Children Check. This is part of RMIT University’s Child Safety Framework, which applies to everyone at RMIT, including RUSU (the Student Union). Volunteer Working with Children Checks are free and can enhance your CV. Please be aware that some volunteers may need to visit an Australia Post Office to complete their Check due to identification requirements. 

To apply as an RMIT volunteer, use the following RMIT details: 

  • Address: 124 Latrobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 
  • Phone Number: (03) 9925 5000 
  • ABN: 49 781 030 034 
 

To apply for a Working with Children Check, please visit the Working with Children Victoria website. 

Working with Children Victoria

Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible to volunteer, you must be a current student at RMIT and enrolled in at least one course for the duration of the time that you’re volunteering. If you’re not an RMIT student and are looking for an opportunity to volunteer in the community, head to www.govolunteer.com.au or www.volunteer.com.au to find a suitable volunteer opportunity near you.

Most volunteers contribute a minimum of two or three hours per week during the semester. Some of our volunteers contribute more by doing two or more shifts per week, and some do less by volunteering once a fortnight. To get the most out of your volunteering experience, and build strong skills and connections, we recommend that you contribute at least two hours per week.

Of course, there are times when life and study get hectic and you will not be able to make it, we get it! We just ask that you keep us in the loop when things change, or you cannot volunteer.

No, you only need to apply and attend a Volunteer Induction session once. If you have taken a break from your volunteering and are interested in getting involved again, contact, rusuvolunteers@rmit.edu.au and let us know that you are keen to get involved again, and which department/s you would like to work with.

We are happy that there are so many generous-hearted people who are keen to help, but there are a few steps that everyone needs to follow before volunteering:

  • Register online by clicking the 'Sign Up' button above.
  • Attend an induction session.
  • Sign up to a department (or three) and attend the relevant training.
  • Once they have followed these steps, you can volunteer together – yay!

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