Volunteers in parks

This page has information for people who want to volunteer in parks and reserves in the Northern Territory (NT).

As a volunteer, you can:

  • learn about nature and wildlife
  • contribute to conservation management
  • help maintain park infrastructure and visitor facilities
  • gain new skills
  • work outdoors
  • improve your health and wellbeing
  • meet new people.
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Volunteer placements are limited. Placements can vary in:

  • duties performed
  • frequency
  • skills required.

You must be between 16 and 90 years old to volunteer in parks and reserves. Volunteers under the age of 16 years may participate in volunteer activities, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Volunteer positions are not available at all times in all parks.

If you are an international visitor, you must have a visa that allows you to do volunteer work.

All volunteers must read and abide by the volunteer code of conduct.

You need to register to become a volunteer.

To register your interest, fill in the application and select your areas of interest.

Volunteer program application PDF (178.7 KB)
Volunteer program application DOCX (70.6 KB)

You should include all relevant experience and availability on your application. This helps match volunteers with placements available.

Email your form or any questions to volunteer.parks@nt.gov.au.

If you want to volunteer at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, the Territory Wildlife Park or the Alice Springs Desert Park you will need to contact these parks directly. Find out more on the following websites:

You can apply to volunteer as a campground host.

Campground hosts are people who volunteer their time in national parks around the NT. They carry out various roles associated with park and visitor management.

They usually enjoy the outdoors and have good health and fitness levels.

Campground hosts are mostly self-sufficient with their own tent or caravan, staying on site for three weeks at a time.

Responsibilities include:

  • welcoming visitors
  • providing general information about the area
  • assisting with the cleaning and maintenance of visitor facilities.

Where you can volunteer

The campground host program operates in a number of campgrounds across the Top End and Central Australian regions of the NT including:

When you can volunteer

Hosts are particularly needed from May to August. This is the dry season in the Top End and the cooler months in Central Australia.

Expressions of interest submitted outside of these months will also be considered.

How to apply

Register your interest in the program by following the below steps.

Step 1. Review the campground host program position descriptions PDF (1.6 MB)

Step 2. Fill in the volunteer application:

Volunteer campground host application  PDF (206.5 KB)
Volunteer campground host application DOCX (67.7 KB)

Step 3. Submit the completed form to:

Volunteer Programs Manager
Parks and Wildlife
PO Box 1120
Alice Springs NT 0871
volunteer.parks@nt.gov.au

You can call 08 8999 3821 for more information.

If your placement is confirmed, you will get online training and an on-site induction.

There are conservation-focused volunteer groups operating across the NT.

For more information and to get involved, contact the groups directly.

Work experience placements in selected parks and reserves may be available to senior secondary school students considering a career in land and resource management.

Work experience placements must be supported by a school. That school must provide evidence of public liability insurance. Some restrictions to activities apply.

Students need to provide their own transport to and from the workplace.

Students work alongside park rangers, wildlife rangers and office staff.

Group work experience placements are occasionally available in some parks or reserves. Groups are assigned a volunteer project and must provide their own supervision.

Places are limited.

Prospective work experience students are asked to provide a letter of application and resume to the Community Engagement Unit at communityengagementpw@nt.gov.au.

For more information contact Parks and Wildlife.

Last updated: 22 November 2021

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