Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us here at Tenants Victoria.  

Our current volunteer availabilities are listed below. To support us in other ways, please see: Get Involved

Are you looking to engage with one of the most pressing social change issues of our times – rental housing?

Tenants Victoria is on a mission to ensure safe, secure, and affordable homes for Victorian renters in a fair housing system. We need a dynamic and experienced Chair to lead the way. After eight years of dedicated board service, including six as Chair during a period of significant change, our current Chair is retiring.

We seek an experienced leader to guide the organisation in addressing the needs of renters in a housing system that requires major reform. As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction and ensuring the ongoing success and sustainability of our organisation.

If you’re ready to be part of a team that’s making a real difference in the lives of Victorian renters, we invite you to apply. Please email chairperson@tenantsvic.org.au requesting the Board Chair candidate pack.

For more information about the role go to the advertisement on the Ethical Jobs website.

We are seeking 2 First Nations renter-focussed community members or workers to join the Tenants Victoria Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group in 2024.

What this will involve

• Face to face meeting in the Melbourne CBD 4 times a year with a small group of Tenants Victoria staff and a member of our Board. (Likely to be 5.15pm-7.15pm in March, June, September and November.)
• Reviewing papers and presentations on our reconciliation activities prior to the meetings.
• Payment of $400 per meeting attended (to cover travel, attendance and preparation time) paid via voucher (or invoice if you have an ABN).

About you

• You are a First Nations person living in Victoria who is a renter or rooming house or caravan park resident and have a strong interest in renter rights and experiences OR you are a worker in a community organisation with those interests and experiences.
• You have experience supporting organisations to implement Reconciliation Action Plans or similar activities to improve cultural awareness and solidarity with First Nations communities and organisations.

About us

• Tenants Victoria is the peak body for the state’s renters. Our vision is for a safe, secure and affordable home for Victorian renters in a fair housing system. Services to renters include information and self-help resources on our website, legal advice and representation, financial counselling, and outreach services.
• We also advise community workers who assist renters and increase their skills through training. We work in partnership with other community legal centres and housing sector organisations, and strategically with government to inform policy development and enhance service delivery. We advocate for practices and attitudes that respect renting and for policies and laws that support the rights of renters.
• Reconciliation Australia has recently approved our first Reconciliation Action Plan – in which we will undertake a range of activities to reflect on our current environment and improve our cultural awareness, respect and relationships. The plan is here.

If you are interested, please send a short email explaining why you would like to join our working group to: carman.parsons@tenantsvic.org.au

This is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identified Position, classified under ‘special measures’ of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

• Multiple volunteer positions available – 1-2 days a week
• Office in Melbourne’s CBD

About this role

Tenants Victoria assists renters living in private rental, public and community housing, and rooming houses and caravan park residents to maintain fair, secure, and dignified housing. We provide rental law information and advice, negotiation assistance, representation, and advocacy.

We offer volunteer opportunities suitable for anyone interested in contributing to our mission. These positions are available 1 to 2 days a week for a minimum of 6 months, up to 12 months with the opportunity for extension.

As a volunteer, you will provide high-quality  support for renters, including casework support, drafting legal documents and letters, corresponding with clients, making referrals, preparing summaries, attending VCAT hearings, and more. In return, Tenants Victoria will provide you with real world training that allows you to apply your skills in a practical setting.

Our office is in Melbourne’s CBD, and we require all volunteers to work onsite during their placement.

About you

Whether you pursuing a law degree, completing practical legal training, or have a passion for community service, we welcome your application. This role is ideal for a driven, motivated self-starter who can work collaboratively, and autonomously, as needed. You should possess strong organising skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively

Key to your success are your:

• Sound interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a range of people, including those experiencing hardship or disadvantage
• The ability to work autonomously when required, and to complete tasks efficiently, on time and with attention to detail
• Demonstrated capacity to balance multiple, and at times competing, priorities in a high-pressure environment
• Commitment to social justice, and an understanding of the legal issues faced by renters
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and to foster a co-operative and supportive team environment
• Strong skills in the use of Microsoft Office software relevant to a legal practice (particularly MS Word, Excel and Outlook), and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of our client database.

Required qualifications and experience

• You must be willing to undertake a Police Check and a Working with Children Check prior to your placement with us

How to apply

Please submit your resume, and a covering letter of no more than 2 pages responding to the following:

• Why you have chosen to apply for this role
• How you satisfy the key selection criteria

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so please submit your application via email as soon as possible. Please direct applications and any queries via email to recruitment@tenantsvic.org.au.