Volunteer FAQ
What does a Volunteer do?
Our volunteers do a variety of tasks that make our festival possible: selling tickets, doing garbage runs, setting up stages etc. Go to the Volunteer Jobs page for a complete list of all our teams and a brief description of what they do.
Can I volunteer if I’m under 18?
Yes! If you are aged 15 years and over you are eligible to volunteer at the National. But please be aware that some teams are only suitable for those over the age of 18.
What does a volunteer get in return for their time?
A volunteer gets free access to the Festival, as well as free camping, free tea and coffee in the volunteer centre, subsidised meals, and can attend the volunteer party that kicks off on the Monday night of the Festival. Ask your Coordinator for details.
Being a volunteer is a great way to meet a community of other like-minded individuals, where friendships and memories are made for a lifetime.
What is a Volunteer’s time commitment?
The minimum time commitment required to earn free entry to the Festival is twenty (20) hours. The Festival runs for four and a half days, and so for most areas this will equate with being rostered for five hours a day for four days. However, some Festival areas (such as Communications and Stage Management) may have other time commitments to cover their need for staffing. The configuration of the twenty hours is something that you organise with your Coordinator.
How does a Volunteer get their admission?
All Festival goers, whether volunteers or ticket buyers, must wear the admission wristband to enter the Festival. Volunteers receive their wristbands at Festival Registration (located next to the Ticket Office on Gate 7 – off Wells Station Road). If you are rostered to work over the Festival (Thursday night through to Monday morning), you may check in any time from 5pm Wednesday evening, so that you can attend before your shift begins. If you are rostered to work during the setup of the Festival, you may pick up your wristband from 9am Monday morning.
Volunteers will need photo ID (driver’s license, uni ID card, passport etc) to collect their wristbands. If you do not have photo ID you will need to contact the Festival Office before the start of the festival so other arrangements can be made.
When and Where are Applications available?
The volunteer application form is available online from 1 November every year, or you can request a paper form by phone on (02) 6262 4792.
What if I can’t or don’t want to work during the Festival, but I’d love to help somehow?
We have a number of places available for before and after the festival. You can work in our Mitchell Office during the year, in setup in the days before the festival or in Cleanup on Tuesday and Wednesday after the festival.
Mitchell Office volunteers must work a minimum of 40 hours and setup or cleanup volunteers must work a minimum of 20 hours, which can be combined with hours worked during the Festival. Volunteers who work in cleanup are required to purchase their ticket before the Festival and we will refund the cost of your ticket after the festival once your proof of purchase, wristband and timesheet are returned to PO Box 179 Mitchell ACT 2911 no later than May 31 the year of the Festival worked.
Can I bring my pet?
Pets are not allowed on the Festival site. Please make sure you have them accommodated elsewhere if you choose to come to the Festival.
When do I have to sign up by?
Volunteer applications will close when all of the teams are full. Please check the Volunteer Jobs page to see which teams still have spots available.
What happens after I have signed up?
You will receive mail acknowledgment of your volunteer registration and the contact details of your team Coordinator. You become official as a volunteer once you have agreed to a roster with your Coordinator. So call your Coordinator and negotiate your roster as soon as you can. Most Coordinators will confirm team placement with you by email and/or telephone.
Where can I eat?
The Festival provides a volunteer centre where free tea and coffee is available. We are currently restructuring our volunteer catering and will post further details once they are confirmed for 2012.
My partner/children are not volunteering; can we still camp together?
Yes, volunteers are allowed to camp in any of our public camping zones with their families.
What if I need to cancel?
We need to know that a person would not be able to make their original commitment as soon as you are sure. Contact the Volunteer Administrator ASAP. An email or phone call is sufficient. We will mark your record and make sure your coordinator is aware so that you are not marked as a no-show volunteeer.
