The Indigenous Skills Transfer and Exchange Partnership (INSTEP) is a skills exchange, with senior volunteers working on specific projects identified by the Indigenous communities as projects that they believe will benefit their members. Volunteers have the opportunity to learn about the world’s oldest culture and experience life in Australia’s remote, beautiful and diverse outback.

INSTEP is managed by the National Seniors Community Foundation and utilises volunteers drawn from National Seniors Australia’s membership base, corporate volunteers and the wider community.  

News and Events

Warning: please be aware that the following may contain references to people who are deceased.

Grey nomads continue their INSTEP journey across the top end

Last year INSTEP volunteers Noelene and Peter Brasche took on the challenge of re-establishing the Mungullah breakfast and lunch club to encourage students in this small WA Aboriginal community to attend school. Read more.

Joan returns to Wontulp (Cairns)
In May 2011 Joan Sweet travelled from Melbourne to spend two weeks at Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in Cairns. Joan has developed an excellent relationship with the college where she has made enduring friendships with a number of staff and students. Read more.

Supporting training and tourism in Exmouth
Brian and Keiko Tate travelled from the Gold Coast to volunteer in Exmouth (WA) in May 2011 for three weeks. Brian worked with Ann Preest, Chairperson of the North West Cape Exmouth Aboriginal Corporation (NWCEAC). Read more.

Bananas thriving at Hope Vale
Ray Rowe has again travelled from Sydney to Hope Vale where he spent three months from November 2010 to February 2011. Read more.

Finalists in Reconciliation Awards
We are pleased to announce that National Seniors Australia was a finalist in the Queensland Reconciliation Awards 2011. Read more.

Help kids living in Alice Springs
The Yipirinya School at Alice Springs is seeking volunteers to assist in a number of areas to assist students and staff. Read more.

Unique volunteering opportunity
INSTEP and Kimberley School of the Air are seeking volunteers to assist at a school in an Aboriginal community on the picturesque Mitchell plateau – an area rich with history and cultural significance. Read more.

INSTEP is seeking volunteers
We are currently seeking volunteers for several placements in Kandiwal (WA), Hope Vale (QLD), Warrawong (NSW), Rothbury (NSW), Alice Springs (NT) and Utopia (NT). Read more.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Unique volunteering opportunity

The National Seniors Indigenous Skills Transfer and Exchange Partnership (INSTEP) and Kimberley School of the Air are seeking volunteers to assist at a school in an Aboriginal community on the picturesque Mitchell plateau – an area rich with history and cultural significance. Read more.

Cultivate a cultural walkway in Hope Vale

Hope Vale Aboriginal Council (Eastern Cape York) is seeking volunteers to supervise a “Green Army” workforce. Read more.

Help kids living in Alice Springs
The Yipirinya School at Alice Springs is seeking volunteers to assist in a number of areas to assist students and staff. We are seeking volunteers with skills in teaching, ESL, in-classroom support and supervision. Read more.

Help needed at Warrawong (NSW)

Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation (CUAC) is a community based organisation located at Coomaditchie, an ex-Aboriginal mission. Read more.

Volunteers needed in Rothbury and Chittaway (NSW)

The Glen has two drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres located at Chittaway (NSW central coast) and one at Rothbury (Hunter Valley). Read more.

Volunteers travelling to the Northern Territory

Utopia and Arlparra Schools are seeking volunteers who are planning to travel to the Northern Territory in 2010 or 2011. Read more.