Overseas Volunteer

Volunteers make it possible for the hospital to care for Koalas on their unique nocturnal schedule. Learn more about Internships and other ways you can help.

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is situated in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast. We are situated approximately half way between Sydney and Brisbane. There is an airport, coach and train services available. The Koala Hospital has been operating since 1973 and not only cares for sick, diseased, injured and orphaned wild koalas, but is also heavily involved in research working in conjunction with Universities and other Institutions.

The Koala Hospital is run mainly by volunteers, receiving no Government funding relying on the generosity of the general public. It is not the biggest Koala Hospital in Australia anymore (that is in Qld), admitting around 250 – 300 patients per year. The Koala Hospital is only a Class 3 Veterinary Hospital, so is not licensed to undertake major surgery on site. All surgery is performed at our Superintendent Veterinarians establishment not far from the Hospital.

At certain times, the Hospital will accept overseas volunteers to work for short periods. Potential applicants must read the following before completing this form.

We do not have any paid positions at all.
We do not have Intern positions.
We do not supply accommodation or food (see list of recommended establishments)
All applicants MUST have a current Tetanus shot before applying.
All overseas volunteers are required to stay one month, no less, no more, as it takes approximately one week to train new staff.
All new staff must sign a declaration to comply with Health Regulations (for staff safety) before commencing.
All volunteers must realize that these are WILD koalas, not captive bred, and therefore are quite capable of inflicting injury, and are NOT to be handled, cuddled, etc.
Overseas volunteers can be involved in rescues, releases, and assist in medical treatments, but MUST obey instructions from permanent staff.
The Koala Hospital requests that the overseas applicants MUST have a good grasp on the English language. For the safety of any applicant, The Koala Hospital will not accept people only learning the English language.
All applicants must be aware that there can be quiet times, with not many patients, and very little to do. Therefore, volunteers may only have a few hours work each day, or rarely - not at all.

Port Macquarie does have some of the most beautiful surfing beaches in Australia, plus beautiful scenery, lots of shops, reasonable night life and other "touristy" things to do, so on quiet days, most people make good use of these facilities.

Accommodation
Click here to see a list of budget accommodation available in the Port Macquarie area.