Become a Volunteer
Volunteer Work
Hundreds of people have volunteered with CASE since its
inception, providing thousands of hours of time to ensure the
legal rights of refugees are upheld. In 2012 a total
of 3177 hours of volunteers time was recorded. Each
month time is donated by volunteer lawyers, law students and
migration agents. Without their continued support, CASE would
not have been able to achieve all it has in such a short time.
If you wish to volunteer in 2014 please complete the
Volunteer Application Form. Application forms will be accepted
during October/November 2013. There will be limited
places available but should you be interested in volunteering with
CASE we ask that you first read the Volunteer Position
descriptions listed here, then send in the completed Volunteer
Application Form along with your CV. Interviews will be held in
December for a starting date in the following year. Please note
that a minimum 12 month commitment is required for any of these
positions.
- Family Reunion
Project
- Mid Week
Placement
- Migration Agents for the Family Reunion
Project
- Office Volunteers
- Interpreters and Translators
Volunteer Requirements
CASE volunteers will be required to:
- Attend an interview
- Provide a Statutory Declaration and Confidentiality
Statement
- Complete a Membership Form and Volunteer Application Form and
pay the membership fee
- Attend training sessions
Volunteer Training
LEGAL TRAINING
The Migration Agent will conduct legal training session where
we explain our work for asylum seekers and those wishing to bring
family members to Australia. We will discuss different visa types
including the Family Stream Visas and Humanitarian
Visas, Immigration forms, appointment structure and
volunteer requirements. This training is conducted at the CASE
office and takes place on a Saturday from 9am - 3pm.
LEAP MIGRATION MANAGER AND OFFICE TRAIING
CASE uses the LEAP Migration Manager Database to capture
information, forms and documents related to our clients. We provide
database training and also an induction to our office procedures,
and this training is arranged in small groups as required.
Volunteer Application
CASE has been advised by the Legal Practice Board that, if you
are a lawyer and have been admitted you must hold a current
Practicing Certificate if you wish to volunteer in any capacity
within our organisation. If you are contemplating volunteer work
with us and do not currently hold a practicing certificate you may
apply for a pro-bono certificate.
Please note that we require a commitment of at least 12 months and
we require as a minimum qualification that you are a 3rd or 4th
Year Law student if you wish to take on a mid-week
placement. VOLUNTEER
APPLICATION FORM.
Volunteer Testimonials
"I started volunteering at CASE
for Refugees in 2009, having completed my law degree 10 years
earlier and believing that law was not for me. Volunteering at CASE
was one of the most worthwhile and positive things I have done. It
introduced me to a kind and committed work culture, but more
especially, to clients whose stories continue to deeply touch
me. I now volunteer at the ASRC ( Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) in
Melbourne, as well as with the Red Cross Immigration Detention
program. I am constantly humbled by the dignity of asylum
seekers and refugees; amazed by the resilience of the human spirit
to overcome adversity; and inspired by the dedication
of people who freely give their time and energy to bring about
informed, humane change."
"I cannot begin to describe how much I have gained during my time
at CASE for Refugees, on a both an academic and a personal
level. As a student I have gained an abundance of
knowledge and experience that have been invaluable in both
grounding and encouraging my goals. Sure I could have gained
similar levels of professional experience and life skills on
work-experience; however that would never compare to volunteering
at CASE. Apart from the fact that CASE is more of a home than an
office, and as a volunteer your time and efforts are greatly
appreciated, the most influential factor in volunteering at CASE
has been more than the sense of worth and achievement; is the sense
of purpose."
"I have been a volunteer at CASE
for Refugees for four years. When I first started volunteering at
CASE, I undertook mainly administrative work - filing, drafting
letters to clients and answering client enquiries. However, as time
went on, I began to take on more legal/migration work and was given
the opportunity to conduct client interviews under the supervision
of a migration agent. I have learnt so much during my time at CASE.
I have learnt how to use interpreters, how to interact with
clients, how to complete visa application forms and how to draft
effective statutory declarations and submissions. However, I was
not only given the opportunity to learn a great deal, but I have
also been blessed to work with some truly amazing people, and have
been able to go home every week knowing that I have done truly
valuable work and that I have made a difference in people's
lives."