Other ways to get involved
Volunteer to be a crisis supporter
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Lifeline. 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.
You can be the reason someone chooses to hold on.
Every day, Lifeline crisis supporters offer connection, hope and safety to people who are struggling. Volunteering with Lifeline is more than a role — it's a way to change lives, including your own.
Learn MoreThere 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:
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.
- 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:
To find out more, please contact your local Lifeline Centre.
- 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 Workforce 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:
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
Travel to your local centre
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.
Digital support
What does the role involve?
Volunteers provide one-off crisis support to people via online Chat and Text (SMS) who could benefit from immediate and short-term assistance to cope with crisis or distress.
Training
40-50 hours of training over a 12-week period
Requirements
Be over the age of 18
National Police Check and any relevant Police checks for working with children or vulnerable people in your home state/territory.
National Police Check and any relevant Police checks for working with children or vulnerable people in your home state/territory.
Accreditation
Free – no student contribution required.
Training is not nationally accredited.
Training is not nationally accredited.
Location
Work from home
Time investment
Minimum 4 hrs per fortnight
Why volunteer with Lifeline?
- Make a real impact - You’ll help people in their darkest moments.
- Join a national movement - Be part of a community committed to offering support and reducing suicide across Australia.
- Build skills for life - Gain valuable training in crisis intervention, communication, and mental health support.
- Grow personally and professionally - Volunteers often say they come away with deeper empathy, stronger listening skills, and a better understanding of themselves.
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
- Good listening and communication skills
- Empathy, respect, compassion and commitment
- Self-awareness and willingness to accept feedback
- Computing skills (internet, email, data entry, navigation)
3,737
HELP SEEKER INTERACTIONS
The number of calls, chat messages and texts to Lifeline from Australians in crisis, daily.
155
SAFETY PLANS CREATED
The number of safety plans created each day by Lifeline phone crisis supporters during the first half of 2025
4601
VOLUNTEERS
The number of Lifeline volunteers delivering life-saving support across Australia.
Get started
Ready to start making a difference?
Frequently asked questions
As a crisis supporter, you'll have the opportunity to create a moment of connection that can make a lasting difference. Every interaction is a chance to offer empathy and support for someone navigating a tough time.
Lifeline’s one-off crisis support service means each interaction is focused on being fully present in the moment, providing immediate empathy and deep listening in someone’s time of need. While you may not know what happens next for the person you support, what you offer in that moment is powerful.
You’ll be part of a community that values connection, not just for those who use our service but for you as well. Lifeline provides comprehensive training, ongoing supervision, and regular debriefing to ensure you feel confident, supported, and never alone in the role.
Lifeline’s one-off crisis support service means each interaction is focused on being fully present in the moment, providing immediate empathy and deep listening in someone’s time of need. While you may not know what happens next for the person you support, what you offer in that moment is powerful.
You’ll be part of a community that values connection, not just for those who use our service but for you as well. Lifeline provides comprehensive training, ongoing supervision, and regular debriefing to ensure you feel confident, supported, and never alone in the role.
Lifeline offers a non-clinical, human-to-human service for people in distress. As a crisis supporter, you’ll connect with people facing a wide range of challenges and challenging situations from relationship breakdowns, loneliness, and mental health concerns to thoughts of suicide, self-harm, substance use, family and domestic violence, or child safety issues.
You’ll provide a compassionate presence for people experiencing distress, crisis or overwhelming feelings. Our approach is trauma-informed and centred on the needs of the help seeker, creating a space where people feel heard, respected, and supported without judgment.
Some interactions will be difficult. Occasionally, crisis supporters may encounter unwelcome interactions from people misusing the service. These can be confronting, but you’ll never be expected to face them alone. Lifeline is committed to providing strong support systems, including regular debriefing, reflective practice, and supervision so you can feel supported, and connected in your role.
You’ll provide a compassionate presence for people experiencing distress, crisis or overwhelming feelings. Our approach is trauma-informed and centred on the needs of the help seeker, creating a space where people feel heard, respected, and supported without judgment.
Some interactions will be difficult. Occasionally, crisis supporters may encounter unwelcome interactions from people misusing the service. These can be confronting, but you’ll never be expected to face them alone. Lifeline is committed to providing strong support systems, including regular debriefing, reflective practice, and supervision so you can feel supported, and connected in your role.
No. Full training is provided to ensure you can offer a high standard of support. What matters most is your ability to be present, listen deeply, and offer non-judgmental support.
Yes, all volunteer roles require a National Police Check conducted by Lifeline and where required, checks for working with children and vulnerable people for your home state/territory (such as the Working With Children Check). The associated fees for checks where required is at your own cost.
We find most people who volunteer with Lifeline as a crisis supporter find it very rewarding, knowing they are creating a connection with those that need it the most. Most of our volunteers contribute to the Lifeline community for many years after completing training. We ask our crisis supporters to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per fortnight.
Lifeline has 43 centres around Australia in regional, remote and metropolitan areas. You can contact your local Lifeline Centre to find out more about volunteering to be a crisis supporter.
That's completely normal. Our training is designed to build your confidence step by step — and you're never alone. Support is always available.
We're looking for people who are:
- empathetic and open-minded
- emotionally resilient and reflective
- good listeners
- committed to learning and growth
- available for training and ongoing shifts.
You will be assigned a Team Leader who will coach you throughout your training, placement and even once you are a fully trained crisis supporter. In addition, you will always have support while on shift, as one of our qualified In-Shift Supervisors will be there to ask questions, intervene where necessary and debrief with you when you finish your shift.
- Make sure you understand the commitment involved in becoming a crisis supporter
- Register your interest and/or attend an information session
- Complete and submit your application. You will be asked to provide reference details, National Police Check, and any relevant background checks for working with children or vulnerable people in your home state/territory. For digital support volunteering, Lifeline uses a specific provider and does not accept police checks from other providers - details are supplied during the application process. (Note that these checks are at your own cost).
- Accept our offer to join the Lifeline family.
- Join the next available training date (we will notify you of the date once you have accepted your offer)
When volunteering for the Lifeline Text Service, either a PC or Mac computer can be used, requiring the latest operating system available. The minimum system requirement for a Mac is macOS10.14 or later; and a free app to connect to the remote desktop, Microsoft Remote Desktop. For PC the suggested system requirement is an up-to-date version of Windows, general a computer less than 6 years old.
It is highly recommended to have two computer monitors/screens, to run the text platform on one monitor, and on the second monitor to runs Teams, the program that we use to communicate with each other on shift. If you don’t have two monitors, then having a smartphone on shift as a back-up is important so that you can keep in contact with your shift supervisor, in case you have problems with Teams. It is also good if you have a camera with your computer, so that during training and once volunteering, you are able to chat face to face with your team leader or shift supervisor.
Having a stable and reliable internet connection is very important when considering volunteering for the Lifeline Text Service. It is useful to know the upload and download speed of your internet, and this can be easily checked using any internet speed check tool.
If you have any problems with your internet, it is also possible to hotspot your phone and all programs needed will run smoothly as required.
If you have any problems with your internet, it is also possible to hotspot your phone and all programs needed will run smoothly as required.
We welcome all applicants considering becoming a digital crisis supporter and due to the flexibility of the role can support a variety of accessibility needs. Please send us through an email if you have any specific questions.
Becoming a digital crisis supporter is perfect for those living in regional/remote areas in Australia. You can be located anywhere Australia-wide as long as you have the appropriate computer equipment and a stable and reliable internet connection.
Unfortunately, due to our security requirements and IT systems, we are not able to accept overseas applicants.
Unfortunately, due to our security requirements and IT systems, we are not able to accept overseas applicants.
Many of our volunteers fit shifts around full-time jobs, study, or family life. Evening, overnight, and weekend shifts are available.
Yes, you will be trained to become a phone crisis supporter. This is to ensure you'll be confident, skilled, and able to provide support to Lifeline's help seekers in their time of need.
The Crisis Supporter Workforce Training (CSWT) course includes the nationally recognised training skill set known as the CHCSS00113 Crisis Support Skill Set. This skill set is delivered by a local Lifeline Centre on behalf of Lifeline Australia, Registered Training Organisation (RTO) 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:
The Crisis Supporter Workforce Training (CSWT) course includes the nationally recognised training skill set known as the CHCSS00113 Crisis Support Skill Set. This skill set is delivered by a local Lifeline Centre on behalf of Lifeline Australia, Registered Training Organisation (RTO) 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
Lifeline has 43 Centres around Australia in regional, remote and metropolitan areas.
To volunteer at your nearest Lifeline Centre or Lifeline shop, please contact your local Lifeline Centre to find out more about becoming a volunteer.
To volunteer at your nearest Lifeline Centre or Lifeline shop, please contact your local Lifeline Centre to find out more about becoming a volunteer.
In recognising the valuable time commitment of volunteers, and the important role of crisis supporters, Lifeline Centres provide the Crisis Supporter Workplace Training (CSWT) course at a substantially subsidised cost. The student contribution goes towards the cost of delivering this nationally recognised training 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:
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
Our service operates 24/7 to meet the demand of our help seekers. The service experiences key peak times, during the evenings and on weekends. When considering volunteering with Lifeline, we would appreciate you considering these times to ensure our service continues to serve our help seekers in these key peak times.