Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

Make a Meaningful Connection

What is the Aged Care
Volunteer Visitors Scheme?

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is funded by the Australian Government. The Scheme supports volunteer visitors to provide friendship and companionship to older people, to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

How the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme Works

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is FREE and available to anyone who is a permanent resident in a Residential Aged Care Home or living in their own home receiving Support at Home Package, including those approved or on the National Priority System for Residential or Support at Home. We refer to those receiving a visit as “care recipients”.

The Australian Government funds community organisations (auspices) to:

Recruit, train and support volunteer visitors
Conduct police checks for volunteers
Match volunteers to older people receiving government subsidised aged care
Support the friendship that forms between the volunteer and older person they visit

Linked Community Services delivers the program across Aged Care Planning regions of the Hunter and Mid North Coast, in geographical areas from South West Rocks to Newcastle with our offices located in Port Macquarie, Taree and Port Stephens.

I would like to Volunteer

Help brighten someone’s day! Our aged care volunteer visitors reduce loneliness and isolation and bring joy to older people through regular companionship and friendly chats. No experience needed – just a kind heart and a willingness to connect. You must be 18 or older. Volunteers are thoughtfully matched with an older person who shares similar interests and hobbies. Visits can include activities such as walking, listening to music, reminiscing over coffee, reading together, puzzles, word games or outings. A commitment of one hour per fortnight can have a significant impact, with weekly visits encouraged.

Visits are flexible and tailored to suit each person’s health, culture, and needs. Please note that some care recipients may be frail, so outings may not always be possible. Our volunteers receive specific industry training, ongoing support, and access to learning opportunities through Linked Community Services.

5 steps to becoming an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor

‍1.      Sign Up
        Click the Volunteer Application Form below or contact us on 02 6583 8644 to register your interest.

2.      Meet & Greet
         Linked Community Services will contact and support you to complete the application process, including an          interview to discuss your interests, hobbies, abilities, or preferences.

3.      Verification
         Linked Community Services will conduct a police and reference check. It may take a few days or weeks for          the verification check to be processed.

4.      Training
         Once you are verified to be a volunteer, Linked Community Services will provide you with the training you          need to complete.

5.      Friendship
         Meet your friend! Volunteers can expect a tailored matching process to ensure the right fit with an older          person.

‍Becoming an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor can be a rewarding and life-changing experience.

Volunteer Application Form

Brochures

Since joining Linked I have made many friends along the way. I enjoy the interaction …[it] brings me a lot of joy.

I would like a Visitor

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from having an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor, it is as simple as filling in the Care Recipient Profile referral form and emailing to the ACVVS team at Linked acvvs@linked.org.au

Older people can be referred to the program for volunteer visits by aged care service providers, family members or friends, or they can refer themselves. Information on the care recipient profile form helps us to match an ACVVS volunteer with similar interests and hobbies to maintain asocial, positive and engaging connection. Details shared about the older person are kept in the strictest confidence. If you need assistance to complete the form, please contact our ACVVS team who will be able to help.

Referral Form

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I am an Aged Care Provider

Aged Care Providers are responsible for identifying and referring eligible aged care recipients to the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme. The ACVVS team works in close partnership with Aged Care Providers to achieve program objectives, support volunteer access, and ensure care recipients are effectively connected.

Consideration must be given to volunteers in a similar manner to a friend or family member visiting to provide companionship to the recipient on a casual basis, including weekends; liaising with the ACVVS team when a recipient is unable to receive visits, e.g. Hospitalisation or illness and advising the ACVVS volunteer when their recipient passes away, preferably through the Linked ACVVS Coordinator.

Residential Aged Care Providers

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme supports residential aged care providers to meet their requirements under the Aged Care Quality Standards for provision of person-centered care. This includes meeting the older person’s daily living needs and valuing their identity, culture and diversity.

The ACVVS team will liaise with the Aged Care Provider to meet with the care recipient, keep them informed of progress, and, once a volunteer has been onboarded, interviewed, screened, and trained, proceed with matching.

An ACVVS team member will attend the first meeting between care recipient and volunteer visitor (orientation) and keep in regular contact with the Aged Care Provider and volunteer visitor until the friendship is well established.

For more information, please contact the ACVVS team at Linked Community Services, or download the required links and resources to support your participation in the program.

Support at Home Providers

Volunteer visits to a Support at Home Package (SAH) recipient does not impact their SAH package. The ACVVS is designed to complement the services of the SAH provider.

Quick Links

Volunteer Application Form

Referral Form

Brochures

Enquire Now

Questions?

Speak with our friendly team

Contact us

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Volunteer Visitor do?

As an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor, you support older people to strengthen social wellbeing through ongoing companionship and communication, to ensure they feel socially connected to their community and have a sense of purpose and belonging.

Volunteer Visitors are carefully matched to an older person based on shared interests and hobbies, establishing a long-term friendship. Visits are one hour a fortnight as a minimum, however weekly visits are strongly encouraged.

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Who can be a Volunteer Visitor?

We welcome anyone over the age of 18 who is willing to volunteer their time to provide friendship and companionship to an older person to help improve their quality of life and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. A key attribute is that you have an empathetic and kind heart to befriend a vulnerable elderly person.

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How can I become a Volunteer Visitor and start making a difference?

To become an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor and start making a difference, simply click on the Volunteer Enquiry link to complete the online application form. Our friendly ACVVS team will then be in touch to guide you through the next steps. If you require further information before starting your volunteer journey with us, please contact our team today on 02 6583 8644 or acvvs@linked.org.au

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Do I need to be vaccinated to be a Volunteer Visitor?

All personnel engaged with the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme must adhere to applicable state or territory medical directions with regards to vaccinations. While specific requirements may vary by facilities, most mandate proof of vaccination to comply with health, safety, and security protocols. The ACVVS Coordinator can provide guidance on current government regulations.

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How can I become a Care Recipient (elderly person) or refer a loved one?

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is FREE and available to anyone who is a permanent resident in a Residential Aged Care Home or living in their own home receiving Support at Home Package, including those approved or on the National Priority System for Residential or Support at Home. You can start by completing the Care Recipient Profile referral form in the quick link section. If you require further information about becoming or referring someone as a care recipient of the program, please contact our team today on 02 6583 8644 or acvvs@linked.org.au

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I don’t live in the area but my elderly loved one could really benefit from having a regular visitor. What do I do?

We are more than happy to help. We accept referrals to the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) from family and friends of potential care recipients. Just give us a call and we will connect you with the ACVVS team.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

Make a Meaningful Connection

I would like to Volunteer

I would like a Visitor

I am an Aged Care Provider

What is the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme?

How the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme Works

I would like to Volunteer

I would like a Visitor

I am an Aged Care Provider

Residential Aged Care Providers

Support at Home Providers

Quick Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Aged Care
Volunteer Visitors Scheme?