Ask Us a Question
We are always happy to answer any questions so please get in touch. Volunteers are fully covered by appropriate levels of insurance while at the museum.
Phone: +61 9298 3777
Email: volsoffice@sea.museum
You can volunteer at the Australian National Maritime Museum in many different and fulfilling ways including showing visitors around or working behind the scenes.
Become a volunteer so that you can:
- Develop new skills and expand on your strengths
- Learn new interesting things to share with others
- Receive regular rewards such as free tickets, invitations to events and merchandise
- Feel supported and valued through our volunteer training program
- Meet like-minded people and make friendly social connections
- Interact with local and international visitors
Be part of one of the largest and most diverse volunteering programs in Australia. The museum is now looking for volunteers to do a range of different tasks at the museum.
See How to Volunteer for more information.
Volunteer tour guides show small groups of visitors around the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions, through our popular vessels, light house and behind the scenes at Wharf 7. All you need is enthusiasm, the ability to commit to regular times, and an interest in Australia’s maritime history. Full training provided.
Action Stations highlights the ANMM’s warship exhibitions of Vampire, Onslow and Advance.
To enable the museum to give its best experience to visitors attending these attractions we are seeking new Volunteers to assist us with bringing alive our RAN treasures by informing and guiding our guests. Ideally, Volunteers would be prepared to volunteer one day per week or one day per fortnight.
ANMM Volunteers receive classroom as well as on-the-job training and a range of benefits are available to them.
These include:
- a museum uniform
- access pass to the museum
- discount at the museum shop and YOTS restaurant
- service badges and certificates
- quarterly outings
- quarterly morning tea
- annual Christmas party
- free passes to the museum for friends and family
- quarterly All Hands magazine
- access to the museum's Volunteers website
If you are interested, please email volsoffice@sea.museum with a very brief description of your history and interest in things maritime, also any naval or volunteering background. The Volunteers office will contact you to arrange for a mutually convenient time when you can come in and see us. We are especially interested in those who can volunteer on a weekend day.
Museum members have access to a private lounge which is hosted by friendly volunteers. Meet and mingle with new people, help serve refreshments, maintain the lounge area, wash up and help out with members' functions. Full training provided.
If you have a passion for customer service, then join our guest experience team. Meet and greet visitors at our concierge desk, give out information about the museum and its programs and answer customer enquiries.
The museum’s fascinating collection requires a lot of love and care. Many volunteers help our staff behind the scenes to file documents and reports, work on book collections, condition survey collections and monitor the storage and display environments. This role requires an eye for detail and good organisation skills. Full training provided. Please note: volunteer opportunities in this department are limited.
If you love the idea of working on the water, you can help us maintain the museum's historic fleet, including the HMB Endeavour and HMAS Vampire, by helping with repairs, operation, mooring and presentation for display. Some experience preferred but training is provided.
If you’re a dedicated model maker, we would love you to share your skills at the museum. Model makers regularly work throughout the museum demonstrating their special talent to curious visitors and answering questions. Experience is necessary but we will train you to work with the public.
Help Registration staff research images and photographs, inventory collection material, report on condition of negatives and glass plates, enter data and do general housekeeping and clerical work. Full training provided. Please note: volunteer opportunities in this department are limited.
The museum receives many requests from the community to participate at events and we often rely on volunteers to represent us and share what they know. This is a great role for those who enjoy speaking publicly or have experience working with community organisations. You will get to help prepare presentations and visual equipment and promote the museum to interested audiences. Full training provided. View Summary of presentations.
For more information, contact our museum speaker representatives Noel Phelan on 0402 158 590 or Ron Ray on 0416 123 034 or email our media team: media@sea.museum .
As a volunteer admin assist, you will get to work behind the scenes across several museum departments. Typical duties include preparing guide notes and induction kits, filing, photocopying, preparing mail-outs and offering general clerical assistance. Full training provided.