AVI acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We recognise the continuing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to their lands and waters, and we pay our respects to Elders and communities past, present, and emerging.
We would like to specifically pay our respects to the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our head office is located.
Since 1951
AVI has been Australia’s leading volunteer organisation for over 70 years.
Connecting people, organisations and communities to achieve locally-determined outcomes and inviting lasting change.
Inviting Change
We foster long-term partnerships that build and deepen over time.
Our partners and skilled volunteers connect in ways that result in collaboration across cultures, sustainable development outcomes and a more informed and understanding Australian community.
By supporting AVI, you are investing in ethical development guided by:
Self-determination, because people in communities know the social, economic and environmental development goals they need.
Locally-led change that supports the development process, not drives it, where change is truly fit for purpose and sustainable.
Skills and knowledge, building locally-driven capacity where it’s needed most – in people, organisations and systems.
long-term partnerships with a range of businesses, governments and non-profit organisations.
A Global Presence
AVI’s presence spans 29 global locations, supporting sustainable, people-centred development initiatives built on long-term relationships of mutual trust and respect.
Volunteering for development
Australian Volunteers Program
The Australian Volunteers Program matches a broad range of skilled Australians with partner organisations in 26 countries across the Pacific, Asia and Africa, contributing to sustainable development outcomes. AVI manages the program, in an AVI-led consortium with DT Global (formerly known as Cardno International Development) and Alinea International, on behalf of the Australian Government.
Solomon Islands Medical Partnerships
The Solomon Islands Medical Partnerships for Learning, Education and Research (SIMPLER) exists to assist and support in the supervision and training of large numbers of returned foreign-trained medical graduates to Solomon Islands, while also providing continuous medical education opportunities. SIMPLER is a collaboration between AVI, the Australian Volunteers Program, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Ministry of Health & Medical Services – Solomon Islands and the National Referral Hospital, Honiara.
Reece Foundation Partnership
AVI partners with Reece Foundation, supporting skilled tradespersons to work with communities delivering impactful water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects in Australia and overseas. Reece Foundation exists to empower Australian tradies to use their skills to improve the lives of those who need it most – with a vision for all people to have access to clean water and sanitation
AVI Offices
140 AVI staff members worked from offices in 22 countries to provide worldclass support to participants in all programs and initiatives we manage.
Student Mobility Services
AVI provides a highly customisable, faculty-led student mobility service for universities and other tertiary education providers. We work with academic institutions to develop a fit-for-purpose program that ensures students engage in a fully immersive cultural experience and gain academic credit (where applicable), while also providing peace of mind they are supported by robust safety and security mechanisms and experience.
Technical Advisors & Mentors
In-Country Communication Officer Network
AVI is commissioned by The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to engage a network of communications professionals in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Vietnam and Kenya. The In-Country Communication Officer Network (ICCON) initiative aims to raise greater awareness of ACIAR’s agricultural research and projects in the Pacific, East Asia, South and West-Asia and Eastern and Southern Africa regions
Farmer Volunteers – Kenya
AVI partnered with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to launch the Farmer Volunteers – Kenya program. The program’s first volunteer was based at a local farm at Athi River, just outside Nairobi. There, he worked with local farmers, producer groups, and rural businesses to develop local capacity and help increase agricultural productivity.
Doherty Institute
As part of the DFAT funded COMBAT AMR project (Combating the threat of antimicrobial resistance in Pacific Island Countries), AVI has been commissioned by the Doherty Institute to recruit and engage a microbiologist in Samoa, and to continue to engage two national project coordinators based in Fiji and Samoa.
AVI Pacific People
AVI Pacific People is the first Pacific-wide specialised end-to-end recruitment service, headquartered in Suva, Fiji. Pacific People aims to secure more specialist, management and senior executive roles for people in the Pacific and build skills through workforce development. It also aims to encourage labour mobility within the region by working with partners throughout the region, while also enabling diaspora to return to work in their home countries.
Capacity Strengthening
Australian Humanitarian Partnership
As part of Plan International Australia’s consortium for the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), Disaster READY, AVI continued to support local partner organisations in Fiji and the Solomon Islands with capacity development and institutional strengthening activities for disaster preparedness and response.
Latest news
Hybrid Volunteering AFR Innovation awards
September 29, 2023
The Australian Volunteers Program’s new hybrid volunteer model, designed to make international volunteering more accessible to a broader audience, has been recognised in the Australian Financial Review’s innovation awards.
AVI grants working to strengthen civil society in the Solomon Islands
August 23, 2023
In 2022, PWDSI applied for an AVI Grant to socialise a number of organisational policies which had been developed over the previous years and approved at Board level. The policies included Child Protection, PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual Assault, Abuse and Harassment) and Anti-corruption Policy. The project aimed to rollout the policies to staff and Board, providing them with training and support so that the policies were understood and implemented in the organisation.
Thank you to all our partners
Below are just a few of the many organisations in Australia and overseas that Australian Volunteers International, together with our consortium-led Australian Volunteers Program, are proud to call our partners.
