About Volunteering
Volunteering with Mercy Ships will not only change the lives of those you serve, it will change you. There are many ways to support Mercy Ships in our global medical mission to help the poor. It takes all kinds, with all skills. There is a need for both medical and non-medical volunteers. There are volunteer positions in a variety of areas including: housekeeping, galley, deck crew, doctors and nurses and everything in between.
How to Apply
Ready to help transform lives? Mercy Ships needs volunteer medical professionals, maritime officers, teachers, administrators, IT specialists, accountants, cooks, and so much more. Find your place on board! Applying is easy and secure, and it’s only together that we are able to bring hope and healing.
Volunteer Opportunites
Volunteers with many skill sets – including maritime, operational, and medical – make our mission possible every day. Are you ready to start your next adventure? Find out about our available volunteer opportunities by clicking the button below.
Meet Our Crew
Whether you’re performing surgery to remove a tumour, cleaning the deck, or teaching the children of our crew, it takes skills of all kinds to bring hope and healing. Meet even more of our crew of volunteers from around the world on our YouTube channel.
Australian Crew Stories
Want to find out what volunteering with Mercy Ships is really like from someone who has been there and done that? Australian volunteers have served in a variety of areas including housekeeping, galley, administration, IT, deck crew, surgeons and nurses, and everything in between. Here are their stories.
FAQs
Have more questions about volunteering with Mercy Ships? Check out these Frequently Asked Questions.
Watch Our Webinars
Ever wondered what it’s like to volunteer with Mercy Ships? In the volunteering webinars above, discover how your skills can bring hope and healing, and have a lasting impact to the people we serve. You’ll hear from current crew on board the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy as we take a look at what volunteering with Mercy Ships looks like from lots of different perspectives!
Volunteer Guidebooks
In these guidebooks, you’ll learn more about what to expect, how to get ready for your time with Mercy Ships, travel information and costs involved – all the information you need to volunteer with Mercy Ships including:
- Ship Life
- What To Expect
- What To Bring
- Immunisations & Medication
- Money Matters
- Insurance
- Flights & Travel
- Before You Go
- Support From Our Office
This information is available in PDF form by clicking the links below.
Africa Mercy Shipyard Volunteer Guidebook
for those joining us during the Africa Mercy’s 2020/21 shipyard period in Canary Islands
Global Mercy Equipping Volunteer Guidebook
for those joining us during the Global Mercy’s 2021/22 equipping period in Belgium
Contact Us
For more information about volunteering with Mercy Ships, please call our National Office on 1300 739 899 or email [email protected]
To start your journey now, please provide the details below to receive more information about becoming a Mercy Ships volunteer.
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What Our Volunteers Say
Jill Sullivan, VIC
Anaesthetic Assistant
Each theatre was staffed with volunteer health professionals from all over the world and had very full schedules. The teamwork was amazing, and the care and compassion heartwarming. It was clear that we shared the same goals and that everyone was there each day because they wanted to be. I loved being in that environment.
I recommend this experience to everyone. Now that I have been twice I’m sure I will return.