Volunteers play an important role in the day-to-day life of Moonlit Sanctuary and have done so since the park first opened in 2001.
Our new Volunteer Program includes three separate Volunteer Roles:
More information about the requirements and recruitment vacancies for each Volunteer Role can be found below.
If you’re passionate about plants, enjoy getting your hands dirty, and want to make a positive impact, then this is the volunteer program for you! Our Horticulture Volunteer roles at Moonlit Sanctuary are perfect for people who have an avid interest in native plants and working within a conservation and ecology framework.
You’ll play an active role in conservation – working with our Zoological Horticulturalist in helping care for the flora that calls Moonlit Sanctuary home. This role gives you the opportunity to get hands on, assisting with maintaining animal habitats and gardens and offering valuable experience and insights into the day-to-day life of a Wildlife Sanctuary.
It’s a physically demanding but incredibly rewarding role, offering new skills and the chance to be part of something truly meaningful.
Please keep an eye on this webpage for information about when the next recruitment round will take place. There is currently no waiting list available.
We are not currently taking applications for Keeper Assistant Volunteers and do not have a waiting list.
We expect to begin a new recruitment cycle in May 2026, so please keep an eye on this webpage, our social media, or sign up to our newsletter for updates!
This new role will see volunteers positioned around the Sanctuary grounds, engaging visitors with information and education, managing their interactions with our animals, assisting with queue management at Koala Encounters, Shows and Admissions, and generally being extra eyes-on-the-ground for the safety of our animals and visitors.
We expect to open applications for this role in May 2026, with the roles beginning in June 2026. Please keep an eye on this webpage, our social media, or sign up to our newsletter for updates!
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conversation Park is committed to providing a working environment that is purpose-driven, collaborative and positive. We offer access to an Employee Wellbeing, Safety and Support Program, learning and development opportunities and generous discounts on products and services.
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conversation Park is committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and racially marginalised and refugee backgrounds, people of all ages, neurodiverse people, gender diverse people and LGBTIQA+ people. We welcome applications from people with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences.
Can I complete my tertiary course WORK PLACEMENT with Moonlit Sanctuary?
Due to our limited staff capacity, we only take on work placements by application from current staff and volunteers who are past their probation period. We recommend applying for our volunteer program 6 months prior if you are hoping to complete your work placement with us in the future.
We also only accept work placements for the Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care. We are unfortunately unable to accommodate work placements for other courses of study as we find we do not meet the course placement requirements, including for all veterinary related courses.
Can I complete my VCE Work Experience with Moonlit Sanctuary?
Unfortunately our volunteers are required to be 18 years of age or older and required to commit to a regular day per week for a minimum of 6 months, which does not meet the requirements of the VCE Work Experience programs.
We do however offer VCE excursions – we offer programs for VCE Biology, VCE Environmental Science and VCE Geography. We can also run less formal custom programs for other subject areas as required. Please contact our education team to discuss your needs and we will try our best to accommodate you.
I’m under 18 - can I volunteer?
Unfortunately our volunteers are required to be 18 years of age or older. There are many other ways you can be involved with Moonlit Sanctuary until then, including our School Holiday Programs.
Will volunteering lead to paid employment?
Our volunteer program is not designed to prepare people to enter the Sanctuary as employees, but rather an opportunity to gain a better understanding of what the industry is like. Volunteering offers valuable experience and insights into the day-to-day life of a Wildlife Sanctuary. By partaking in the volunteer program there is no guarantee of employment at Moonlit Sanctuary, or elsewhere.
Will I get to play with the animals as a volunteer?
Our volunteer roles have no guaranteed involvement with the animals apart from our free-roaming wallabies and kangaroos.
We care deeply for our creatures, so their welfare comes first and foremost which often requires minimising animal handling. Our Keepers are specially trained to handle our animals if and when required. Even our encounter animals get to choose if they are up for it each session, which is why our encounters are occasionally cancelled!
I am unable to commit to 6 months of volunteering - are there any short-term volunteer opportunities?
Due to the level of training required for our volunteer roles, we require a minimum 6 month commitment. This allows us to offer our volunteers the training, knowledge and skill building to ensure a more engaging volunteer experience.
We welcome your support in other ways – you can come visit Moonlit Sanctuary to experience the animals up close and see some of the wonderful conservation work our team is doing in action. You can also help wildlife from home through backyard conservation and gardens for wildlife, or by adopting an animal.
Can I volunteer if I am on a Working Holiday Visa?
We are unfortunately not classed as a regional area and so are unsuitable for meeting the Working Holiday Maker 88-day regional work program visa requirements.
We do accept volunteers on International Visas, however you must be able to commit to a regular day per week for a minimum of 6 months and pass all other requirements of the application process.
Do you cater to educational or corporate group volunteer opportunities?
We can occasionally cater to corporate or educational groups who are willing to assist with tasks such as raking, weeding and mulching. These must be organised well in advance as we are only able to offer a few opportunities per year. To make an enquiry, please contact us.
Moonlit Sanctuary acknowledges the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future.
