Thank you for thinking of volunteering at the National Railway Museum.
Please be aware of the following age requirements:
Train operations, 457mm gauge and full size trains – 18 years of age minimum.
Non train operations roles – 16 years of age minimum.
For any person wishing to assist NRM under the age of 16 years, the following will apply;
The applicant’s parent must provide written evidence of the appointed supervisor or guardian. Only on a case by case basis, the applicant may be able to assist but only following a successful interview with the NRM Team Leader representative and in the presence of applicant’s parent or appointed supervisor or guardian. The applicant can assist on site, but only when that parent or appointed supervisor or guardian (who must possess a current WWCC and NPC) is also in attendance.
The NRM reserves the right not to accept any person as a volunteer (or assist) if NRM does not believe they will be suitable for any of the available roles.
All applicants and volunteers will be required to attend an interview, and if successful also attend an induction and provide NRM with an acceptable Working With Children Check, AND a National Police Certificate. These can be facilitated through the NRM at no cost.
Our volunteer vacancies are as follows:
If you wish to volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering hours at the National Railway Museum can be flexible, provided they fall between 7am and 4pm. As we are a daily operation, including weekends, some volunteer positions may involve weekend hours. Onsite training for roles is provided. Knowledge of trains and railways is not required to volunteer at the National Railway Museum.
Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form
The Volunteer of the Year Award is aimed to acknowledge the less visible, unsung heroes in our Museum who have, through their creativity, initiative, personal time or attainments, made a positive and demonstrable contribution to the National Railway Museum.
Nominations must be submitted by 30 September each year.
NRM Volunteer of the Year Award Nomination Form
Volunteering - Boiler attendant
Role description - must hold a Boiler Basic (BB) or Boiler Advanced (BA) Boiler certificate/qualification. Steam train firing/driving experience is desirable, but in-house training will be provided. Role involves driving the small steam trains (amusement devices) at the National Railway Museum and at the Semaphore and Fort Glanville Railway.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide and Semaphore Esplanade, Semaphore.
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Mainly weekends, some weekdays - 8am to 6pm
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Public transport - Close access by bus & rail to Museum. Variable bus access to Semaphore.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park. Parking at Semaphore limited.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Customer service staff
Role description - Experience in retail work preferred but not required. Tasks include handling cash, working with point of sale software, working with EFTPOS machines, answering phone calls, and speaking to the public.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide,
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Saturdays and Sundays 9:30am to 4:45pm.
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Electrician
Role description - Must have a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and active registration as an electrician through Consumer and Business Services. Tasks include general electrical repair work and some new electrical installations.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Weekdays, flexible 8am to 5pm with a minimum of four hours weekly. No evenings.
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Public transport - Close access by bus & rail.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Fettler/Track worker
Role description - must have experience in replacing sleepers and railway track. Tasks include replacing sleepers and railway track across the Museum site.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Weekends only, 8am to 4pm.
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Public transport - Close access by bus & rail.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Guard/conductor
Role description - Experience in retail work preferred but not required. Conductors and guards assist with loading passengers onto train, handling the sale of tickets, and assisting the driver with physical work as required. Role is seasonal.
Location: Semaphore Esplanade, Semaphore.
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Seasonal during Semaphore Train running times (every Sunday & Public Holiday from October to April (inclusive), daily during school holidays in September and April, except Tuesdays and Thursdays, daily from 26th December to the end of January school holidays). 10am to 5pm each day.
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Street parking may be available, but there are no guarantees.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Housekeeper/cleaner
Role description - Experience in cleaning preferred but not required. Tasks include cleaning of rolling stock and historic artefacts, as well as general cleaning of kitchens, toilets and offices. Physical work such as bending, vacuuming, sweeping and some light lifting is required. Requires attention to detail and care. Non-toxic cleaning.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide
Requirements: Person must be able to perform duties with a minimum of supervision. Self motivation and an interest in the cleaning role.
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Weekdays, flexible 7am to 5pm with a minimum of four hours weekly. No evenings.
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Public transport - Close access by bus & rail.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Motor mechanic
Role description - Must be a qualified diesel mechanic. Role involves maintaining the National Railway Museum's diesel and petrol amusement devices.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Weekdays, flexible 8am to 5pm with a minimum of four hours weekly. No evenings.
National Police Check - NRM will arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM will arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Public transport - Close access by bus & rail.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Painter/spray painter
Role description - Experience with painting and spray painting required, including correct WH&S requirements. Tasks include spray painting for locomotive and carriage restoration work, as well as other general maintenance painting around the site. Role is on an as-needs basis, not continuous weekly.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Project-based, as needed. Not continuous.
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Public transport - Close access by bus & rail.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering - Toilet cleaner
Role description - Cleaning experiences if preferred for this role, but not required. Training will be provided if required. Tasks include cleaning one unit of visitor toilets - male, female, disabled and staff, in the main pavilion.
Location: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide
Position is compliant for Centrelink commitment
Days & times: Weekdays - by negotiation Flexible 8am to 5pm with a minimum of six hours weekly - No evenings. It is preferred that the toilets are cleaned prior to 10am each day. Will take approximately two hours to clean all toilets each day.
National Police Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Working With Children Check - NRM can arrange free of charge.
Declaration of existing medical conditions is requested.
Public transport - Close access by bus & rail.
Street parking, and car park next to Museum but not owned by Museum - cannot guarantee spots. Three hour parking available in this park.
Wheelchair compatible task? - No
Please note interviews are held Monday to Friday.
Appointments - Phone 8341 1690 or email the Volunteer Coordinator.