Volunteering at the National Railway Museum
Volunteering
Why volunteer at the National Railway Museum? It is a not-for-profit, self-funded museum maintained and run by a dedicated group of volunteers. The Museum houses an impressive collection of locomotives, carriages, railway heritage items, including photographs, artefacts, documents and ephemera. Volunteers are invaluable to the Museum and enjoy assisting to preserve, document, and interpret the evidence of Australian rail history.
Volunteer participation
Volunteering hours at the Museum can be flexible, provided they fall between 8am and 4pm. As we are a daily operation, including weekends, some volunteer positions may involve weekend hours. We also operate the Semaphore and Fort Glanville Tourist Railway.
We encourage you to explore opportunities to get involved with our activities and events. Follow us on Facebook to see when we’re looking for specific skills, and become familiar with our collections online.
Commitment
We request that our volunteers have a regular commitment with us.
Training
Orientation occurs for all volunteer roles, and training is available for roles when needed. The National Railway Museum is seeking individuals with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. Knowledge of trains and railways is not required.
Positions are compliant for Centrelink commitment.
The Museum has an obligation to provide the registered volunteer workforce with appropriate policies and procedures.
Requirements
All volunteers are required to have a current National Police Certificate and Working with Children Check. These can be facilitated through the NRM at no cost.
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 applicant’s parents 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 the applicant’s parent or appointed supervisor or guardian. The applicant can assist onsite, but only when that parent or appointed supervisor or guardian (who must also possess a current WWCC and NPC) is also in attendance.
All applicants and volunteers will be required to attend an interview. The NRM reserves the right not to accept any person as a volunteer if the NRM does not believe they will be suitable for any of the available roles.
If you wish to volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteering hours at the National Railway Museum can be flexible, provided they fall between 8am 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.
If you wish to volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteer vacancies at the National Railway Museum
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.