Conservation Experience FAQ's

What is Conservation Volunteers Australia?
Who can volunteer?
Is it difficult?
Do I need any special skills?
Who are the other volunteers?
Who are Conservation Volunteers Australia Team Leaders?
How do I get to the project?
What about food?
What sort of accommodation can I expect?
What are the starting dates?
Can I choose which projects I will participate on?
What do I need to bring?
English is not my first language!
Australia Starts Here!
How much does it cost?
Selecting where to volunteer
How do I book?

 

What is Conservation Volunteers Australia?

Conservation Volunteers Australia is Australia's leading practical conservation organisation. Conservation Volunteers Australia completes more than 2000 conservation projects across Australia each year.

Who can volunteer?

Conservation Volunteers Australia welcomes people with a love of the outdoors and interest in the environment to take part as a volunteer.

Our volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and don't need any prior skills or experience. You simply need to be aged between 18 and 70!

Is it difficult?

You should be in good health and be reasonably fit, and prepared to take part to the best of your ability. We ask all prospective volunteers to declare any medical conditions, allergies, disabilities or existing injuries that may affect participation - our staff will discuss these with volunteers in a sensitive and confidential manner.

You should be aware that Conservation Volunteers Australia projects are usually labour-intensive, and take place in both urban and rural areas.

Be prepared to participate in all weather conditions. You'll need to bring appropriate clothing for the weather.

All volunteers are provided with training on the project and safety instructions.

Do I need any special skills?

You will be shown how to use all tools and equipment safely before you start the project and there will always be a Conservation Volunteers Australia Team Leader with first aid training. Any essential safety equipment will be provided, and you will be shown how to use it.

Who are the other volunteers?

As a Conservation Volunteers Australia volunteer you are part of a team of up to 10, helping to conserve a part of Australia's unique habitat. As well as making a real difference to the environment, volunteering is a great way to make friends. The other volunteers on your team might be travelers, students, or locals who have lived in the area for years.

Who are Conservation Volunteers Australia Team Leaders?

All Conservation Volunteers Australia projects are lead by a Conservation Volunteers Australia Team Leader. Our Team Leaders are a great source of knowledge and interest in the environment. They are enthusiastic and expert in the practical conservation projects we operate. Above all, they want you to enjoy your experience as you help the Australian environment.

How do I get to the project?

For each project there is a central meeting point. We will pick you up and travel together to the project site to minimise vehicle usage, returning to the same point to drop volunteer off at the end of the day.

What about food?

All meals are provided. Everyone helps with the cooking, cleaning and washing up. Don't worry if you're not a great cook as everyone can do something to help, even if it's just chopping vegetables. Fresh produce, meat and vegetables are used as often as possible although this cannot be guaranteed every day, particularly on remote projects far from shops, so please make allowances.

Special diets, such as vegetarian, vegan or food allergies, can be catered for - please remember to let us know when you book.

What sort of accommodation can I expect?

Accommodation will vary due to the wide variation in the nature of projects and locations. Typical accommodation can include caravans, hostels, shearer's quarters, bunkhouses or camping (CVA supplies tents).

What are the starting dates?

You can nominate any Friday throughout the year as your preferred starting date, and you can choose to start your Conservation Experience from any of CVA's gateway offices around Australia. You will need to arrive at the office you have nominated by 11am on that Friday.

Can I choose which projects I will participate on?

We do not offer volunteers a choice of projects, as these vary according to seasonal conditions and conservation priorities. We will do our best to ensure a variety of projects or locations during your Conservation Experience.

What do I need to bring?

Travel as lightly as possible- however the following items are essential:

 

Backpack Long trousers
Wet Weather Clothing Strong Boots *
Long Sleeved Shirts Sleeping Bag and Mat
Wide Brimmed Sun Hat Mosquito Net
Work/ Gardening Gloves Personal Drink Bottle
Sunscreen and Sunglasses * Insect Repellant

 

* CVA strongly recommends safety work boots with protective toe caps. You should choose sunscreen with a high protection factor.

Luggage is strictly restricted to a maximum of 15kgs.

English is not my first language!

We will explain any technical words or instructions you are unlikely to know, but our staff are not necessarily fluent in other languages.

Our volunteers come from a wide range of nationalities, and English is used as the common language.

Australia Starts Here!

This is an optional extra, to assist with your arrival in Australia. CVA recommends Nomads Australia Starts Here packages as the ideal way to start your Australian adventure. Choose from a 2-night or 4-night package. Each package includes inbound airport transfer, share accommodation, breakfast daily plus tours. The Australia Starts Here package is a great way to start you trip!

If you choose this optional extra, you should remember that your Conservation Experience starts on Friday. This means that you should plan to start your 4-night Australia Starts Here package no later than Monday.

How much does it cost?

4-week Conservation Experience program $1037
6-week Conservation Experience program $1500
Additional weeks $224

Price includes all meals, accommodation, project-related travel and an Australian Wildlife Guide, plus a CVA membership.

Selecting where to volunteer

You select the office where you would like to start your Conservation Experience. From here you will travel to different conservation projects through out the State or Territory that you have chosen. You can start your package in:

  • Adelaide
  • Alice Springs
  • Brisbane
  • Cairns
  • Canberra
  • Darwin
  • Hobart
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney
  • Townsville
 

How do I book?

To make it easier for you we have a network of international agents and you can book directly through them.

Just click on your country and you will go directly to the booking agent in your country. If your country is not listed here you can book directly with Conservation Volunteers Australia.

 

BELGIUM - our booking agents are Languages and Travel and WEP
CHINA - our booking agent is GOES - HKOSC (China Head Office)
FRANCE - our booking agents are Languages and Travel , SAÏGA and WEP
GERMANY - our booking agents are AIFS Deutschland, Dr. Frank Sprachen & Reisen GmbH and  Step In
HONG KONG - our booking agent is Hong Kong Overseas Studies Centre
ITALY - our booking agent is WEP
JAPAN - our booking agent is CIEE Japan
KOREA - our booking agents are IWO and Working Holiday Association
MALAYSIA - our booking agent is MSL Travel
NETHERLANDS - our booking agent is Travel Active
SINGAPORE

- our booking agent is STA Travel
SPAIN - our booking agent is Sabatica
SWITZERLAND - our booking agent is Ozeania Reisen AG
TAIWAN - our booking agent is CIEE Taiwan
UK

- our booking agents are i-to-i, Lattitude Global Volunteering, Oyster Worldwide, Real Gap Experience and Twin Group
USA - our booking agents are Cultural Embrace, InterExchange,  International Student Volunteers and Volunteer Adventures

 

It’s easy to get involved simply: