Gift VOUCHER
Give a Gift that Matters
Perfect for friends, family, or anyone who loves wildlife, our gift card is a thoughtful way to support the care of rescued and endangered animals while giving an experience they’ll never forget.
VOLUNTEERING
The sanctuary runs on volunteers
Every year, more than 400 injured and sick animals come through our doors, from sea turtles to seals and seabirds. Give a few hours, learn from our animal care team and see the difference you make up close.
Be part of the rescue.
We're a not-for-profit. Our Animal Care Team is small, and the animals in rehabilitation need them around the clock. When volunteers prep food, clean, drive rescues or guide visitors, keepers get that time back for treatment and care.
- Make a real difference. Your time goes straight into caring for rescued wildlife and keeping the Sanctuary running.
- Learn from the experts. Work alongside the animal care staff
- Join a community. Meet friendly, like-minded people who have conservation and animal care at heart.
- Work Experience Program. We take a number of school based work experience students each year. See below for more info.
You don't need wildlife experience. You need to be reliable, and depending on the role, happy to get wet and dirty, and willing to follow directions.
VOLUNTEERINg
Where we need help
No experience? No problem. We'll train you for your role. Choose the area that suits you, or tell us how you'd like to help.
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Turtle Care Team
Food prep, enclosure cleaning and enrichment alongside the Animal Care Team. Physical, early starts, no animal handling at first.
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Medical or Veterinary care
Provide medical or veterinary care assistance at the Sanctuary. Work alongside our Animal Care Team.
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Events and fundraising
Staff stalls, release days and appeal events. Ideal if you can give a few big days rather than regular hours.
HELP
Visitor guide
Meet visitors, answer questions and help run educational talks. The best role if you like people as much as animals.
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Education support
Help run our education programs for school groups. A working with children check is required.
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Work Experience
Get real life work experience at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. See below for more info.
ENQUIRE NOW
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School Based Work Experience
Curious about a career with animals? Our work experience program gives students a real taste of life behind the scenes at a not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary.
What you'll gain:
- Hands-on skills in animal care (this includes lots of cleaning so be prepared to get your hands dirty), conservation and environmental education
- Teamwork and communication in a real workplace
- Insight into future careers with animals and the environment
About the fee: As a not-for-profit, we run on limited resources. A $120 administration fee covers managing applications, scheduling placements, supervising students and keeping our learning environment safe.
How to apply:
- Download the application form below.
- Complete it and nominate two preferred placement dates.
- Email it to volunteers@ccws.org.au.
Places are limited, so we can't guarantee your preferred dates. We'll be in touch to confirm your placement.
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"Nikki came in with fishing line around her flipper we knew she could survive if we could give her surgery. She's now thriving after surgery"
TIGA CROSS
Managing Director
rescue & rehabilitation
The Numbers
Every animal that comes through our gate is logged, treated and tracked to release.
1,240
animals rescued SINCE 2023
86%
released to the wild
24/7
rescue hotline
40+
volunteer carers
A not-for-profit sanctuary on the NSW Coffs Coast. Every ticket, coffee & donation funds rescue, rehabilitation & cares for our animals.
The Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary acknowledges the Gumbaynggirr people, traditional custodians of this land. We pay respect to the Elders, both past and present, of the Gumbaynggirr Nation and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
