Why volunteer at WIRE?
With 40 years’ experience, WIRE is Victoria’s leading free generalist service in Victoria. The Volunteer Support Worker Training is delivered in person and includes:
- interactive workshops
- role plays
- Guest speakers from other services
- assigned readings
- hands-on experience answering phone calls on WIRE’s support line
Becoming a volunteer support worker at WIRE
The volunteer support worker training will support you to:
- Build on your active listening skills
- Engage your critical thinking skills
- Work as part of a team to support callers
- Be guided by experienced WIRE team leaders
Selection process
If you’re a woman or a non-binary or gender diverse person aged over 21 and interested in completing the training, you will need to:
- RSVP to an invitation to attend an Information Session about the course
- Attend a 90-minute, online Information Session
- Attend a 90-minute Group Interview (in person) .
- Submit a brief application form.
Costs
- $178 — concession
- $250 — full-time students
- $340 — full price
Commitments
Due to staff movement, the September training will be postponed. Please sign up in the Expression of Interest below to be updated on the next course.
If you are selected to be part of the training program, you will need to commit to the:
- 10-week course
- Phone-based training
- one volunteer support worker shift per fortnight over a minimum of 12 months
Scholarships
WIRE offers three scholarships for each intake to Support Worker training. These are available to the following groups:
ABORIGINAL OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER WOMEN, NON-BINARY AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE
One free place is available in each training course for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman, non-binary or gender-diverse person.
TRANS, NON-BINARY AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE
One free place is available in each training course for a trans, non-binary or gender-diverse person.
SEEKING ASYLUM/NEWLY ARRIVED OR REFUGEE WOMEN, NON-BINARY & GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE
One free place is available in each training course for a woman, non-binary or gender diverse person who is seeking asylum, newly-arrived or a refugee. Women, non-binary or gender diverse people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds with strong spoken English language skills are encouraged to apply.
WOMEN, NON-BINARY AND GENDER-DIVERSE PEOPLE OVER 50
In recognition of the inspirational work of WIRE’s founders in 1984, one free place will be available in each training course for a woman, non-binary or gender-diverse person over 50 who is currently seeking work or wanting to return to work.
For more information on scholarships, please email our Education and Training Coordinator at training@wire.org.au.
COVID-safe policy
You must be fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption to volunteer at WIRE.
Police record checks
WIRE is required by the DFFH to undertake a National Police Record Check on all trainees. If you have lived outside of Australia for more than 12 months in the last 10 years you will need to get an International Police Record Check at your own cost. Having a police record does not automatically mean that you can’t volunteer with us. You are welcome to discuss this with us when you are applying (training@wire.org.au).
Working with Children’s Check
You will also be required to get a Working With Children Check. This Check is free for volunteers and WIRE will provide you with information on how to get it.
Other ways to volunteer with WIRE
If you would like to volunteer at WIRE in a different way (administration, training, content creation, event organizing) please email Vanessa (training@wire.org.au) to express your interest and hear more.