Volunteer
Become a crisis supporter
Our volunteers generously give their time, energy and expertise to achieve our vision of an ‘Australia free of suicide’, so that no person has to face their darkest moments alone. Lifeline is truly grateful for the support of our volunteers.
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There are two different ways you can volunteer as a Crisis Supporter
Phone support
What does the role involve?
As a Lifeline crisis supporter, you'll:
- provide one-on-one support to help seekers via phone
- listen without judgment and respond with compassion and care
- use the CARE Framework to assess risk and support safety
- commit to regular shifts (typically 4 hours per fortnight)
- participate in reflective practice, supervision, and ongoing learning.
Training
All phone crisis supporters complete nationally accredited training, which includes:
- online self-paced learning
- face-to-face skills workshops
- supervised shifts
- ongoing support and development.
Time commitment : Approximately 180 hours across 12-14 months, including around 20-25 hours placement and 80 hours internship.
Yes, it's a commitment but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.
Requirements
To volunteer as a Crisis Supporter, you will need to:
- be over the age of 18
- live in Australia and have Australian or New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or hold a visa with no study limitations
- complete a National Police Check and any relevant background checks for working with children or vulnerable people in your home state/territory
- make a student contribution towards the cost of your Crisis Support Workplace Training (CSWT) course.
To find out more, please contact your local Lifeline Centre.
Accreditation
The Crisis Supporter Workplace Training (CSWT) course includes the nationally recognised training skill set known as the CHCSS00113 Crisis Support Skill Set.
This skill set consists of endorsed units of competency and is delivered by a local Lifeline Centre on behalf of Lifeline Australia, registered training organisation provider number 88036.
Upon successfully completing the CHCSS00113 Crisis Support Skill Set, you will receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the following 3 units of competency, awarded by Lifeline Australia:
- CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
- CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
- CHCCCS028 Provide client-centred support to people in crisis
Location
Time investment
Digital support
What does the role involve?
As a Lifeline crisis supporter, you'll:
- provide one-on-one support to help seekers via computer (laptop or PC)
- listen without judgment and respond with compassion and care
- use the CARE Framework to assess risk and support safety
- commit to regular shifts (typically 4 hours per fortnight)
- participate in reflective practice, supervision, and ongoing learning.
Training
40-50 hours over a 12 week period. This includes approximately 35 hours of self-paced e-learning content (8 weeks) and between 2-4 4 hour placement shifts online.
This period also offers access to online skills practice sessions and learners must attend one 90 minute online group supervision session.
Requirements
To volunteer as a crisis supporter, you will need to:
- be over the age of 18
- be located in Australia throughout the duration of your training period and whilst volunteering on shift (holiday breaks of up to six months are permitted)
- complete a National Police Check and any relevant background checks for working with children or vulnerable people in your home state/territory.
Accreditation
Free – no student contribution required.
Training is not nationally accredited.
Location
Time investment
We ask for a minimum commitment of around 4 hours per fortnight, your time can make a big difference in someone’s life. Every shift you take helps create a space of connection, support, and hope.
Why volunteer with Lifeline?
When you volunteer with Lifeline, you become part of something that couldn't exist without you. Connection is at the heart of everything we do, and that starts within our own volunteer community.
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Be part of something real.
You'll show up for people in their hardest moments, as part of a national community of 4,000+ doing the same.
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Build skills that matter.
Crisis support training is rigorous, nationally recognised, and personally transformative. Many volunteers say it changes how they listen in every part of their life.
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Find connection while creating it.
Volunteering with Lifeline means belonging to a community connected by shared purpose, not just shared shifts.
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Grow in ways you won't expect.
Deeper empathy, stronger self-awareness, and a clearer sense of what you're capable of.
It’s a privilege to be trusted with someone’s pain. I thought I’d be giving my time — but I gained confidence, connection, and purpose.
The skills you need to be a volunteer crisis supporter
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Good listening and communication skills
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Empathy, respect, compassion and commitment
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Self-awareness and willingness to accept feedback
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Computing skills (internet, email, data entry, navigation)
Today, nine Australians will lose their lives to suicide
You can help us change that. By becoming a crisis supporter you can offer hope to people in their darkest moments. The yearly data below can be found in our FY 2024-2025 annual report.
Calls answered
The number of calls to Lifeline in the 2024-2025 financial year.
Safety plans created
The number of safety plans created with Lifeline in the 2025 financial year.
Text and chat conversations
The number of conversations answered through our crisis text and chat support service, in FY 2025.
Volunteers
The number of Lifeline volunteers delivering life-saving support across Australia.
Frequently asked questions
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About phone support
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