Australian National Botanic Gardens

Australian National Botanic Gardens
Volunteers

Guidelines for Parks Australia Volunteers at ANBG
June 2007

Volunteer Guides lead tours around the Gardens.

Volunteers work in the Herbarium mounting specimens.

Background

Volunteers have assisted the Australian National Botanic Gardens on an informal basis since the Gardens was first established in 1949. The Gardens, and its sister organizations the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research and the Australian Biological Resources Study, now have around 150 volunteers working in areas such as the herbarium, seed bank and library. Volunteers also operate a Volunteer Guides Service and the Growing Friends, a group within the Friends of the Gardens, grow plants for fund-raising.

There are also opportunities for professional Associates to undertake specified research projects.

Volunteer Policy

The Gardens' volunteers and Associates operate under policy guidelines set by our parent organisation, Parks Australia.

As a volunteer you can expect:

• a supervisor to assist with enquiries and provide any training necessary for your work;
• safe and healthy working conditions, in line with standards required for paid staff;
• insurance cover for accidents while you are directly engaged at your work with ANBG; and
• rewarding work.

Volunteers also have responsibilities. These include:

• Completing a 'Volunteer Agreement and Induction Checklist' with a member of staff (example);
• Disclosing any medical condition that you may have that could affect your duties;
• Following any reasonable directions that your supervisor or an authorised member of staff gives in relation to health and safety. You must consider your own safety and well-being, as well as that of others;
• Respecting any conditions of work outlined to you by your supervisor, or another authorised member of staff, including attendance at training sessions as required;
• Respecting all security arrangements and restrictions on the use of equipment outlined by your supervisor, or another authorised member of staff;
  and
• Your agreement not incur expenditure or make any statements on behalf of ANBG or Parks Australia.
• Parks Australia reserves the right to end your engagement as a volunteer by written notice if you do not abide by these guidelines.

Volunteer Recruitment

Volunteers are recruited based on the requirements of the participating sections of the Gardens. There are currently no volunteer opportunities directly related to gardening and horticulture.

There are many opportunities for volunteers to be involved in the work of the Gardens and, in general, there are no pre-requisite qualifications other than an interest in botanic gardens and their work. Associates undertake specific research projects and are selected on the basis of their technical experience and the projects they wish to undertake.

Recruitment for the Volunteer Guides Service is managed separately and is competitive. (Introduction and Enrolment forms)
Potential volunteers can register their interest by contacting the Volunteer Guides Coordinator, on (06) 6250 9538.

Volunteer Training

The Gardens provides training for volunteers related to the tasks with which they are involved. Most volunteer training is largely 'on-the-job' working directly with a volunteer supervisor. Successful completion of a guide training course is required for Volunteer Guides.

Volunteer Insurance

Registered volunteers are deemed to be employees under the Commonwealth Employees Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1998 and are insured by Comcare, subject to the conditions of these Acts. Volunteers are protected from liability claims under the conditions outlined in the Commonwealth Volunteers Protection Act 2003.

For further information on volunteer opportunities at the Gardens contact:

Assistant Director
Visitor Services
(02) 6250-9450.

Registration form and Induction Checklist

• Download this form as PDF for printing and completion.

More about our Volunteers

Volunteering at the Australian National Herbarium.

Parks Australia Volunteer Policy [PDF].

Parks Australia Volunteer Schedule [PDF].

Government Gazette of 27 May 1992, No.GN 21, for volunteers at the ANBG [PDF].