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Interested in international aid work with Australian Red Cross?

 
What it takes to be an aid worker with Australian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross aid workers are ordinary Australians with extraordinary qualities. Posted to the world's most vulnerable regions, often in the midst of conflict or in the aftermath of disaster, they land on their feet and work to assist those in need.

Their commitment and dedication are well known and greatly respected, not only by those within the Red Cross Movement, but by the thousands of people around the world who benefit from their activities. Aid workers bring with them technical excellence and solid experience in their field, which enables them to contribute effectively in often demanding environments. 

Every year Australian Red Cross has more than 100 aid workers helping people in over 30 countries around the world. 
 

Every year Australian Red Cross has more than 100 aid workers in over 30 countries around the world.

Aid workers like Norma McRae help people in the most vulnerable regions, often in the midst of conflict or immediately following disasters.

Aid worker profiles

Australian Red Cross aid workers have varied professional and/or technical skill sets known as profiles which include:

  • community development
  • construction and shelter
  • disaster management
  • economic security (nutrition and livelihood)
  • environmental health (including water, sanitation and vector control)
  • finance
  • health (for example, public health, surgical nursing, HIV technical advisors,  surgeons, maternal and child health nurses and midwives)
  • logisticians
  • restoring family links (tracing)
  • monitoring and evaluation 

You can read more about our aid workers in action in stories from the field.

Recruitment

Australian Red Cross recruits international aid workers approximately three times per year. Applicants are assessed by a panel and successful candidates attend a Basic Training Course. If successful they will be invited to join the talent pool. For more information see the page on how to become an aid worker with Australian Red Cross.

What's involved?

Red Cross offers a range of short and longer term contracts for aid workers which generally include: salary, daily field allowance, superannuation, travel, health and life insurance, and all work related travel and accommodation.

Once offered a mission, all aid workers must undergo a full medical assessment including vaccinations which are mandatory for the region in which they will be working and will be required to sign a code of conduct.

 
Useful Links:
How to become an aid worker with Australian Red Cross
Stories from the field
Other training: International Humanitarian Action Training Course
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies website
International Committee of the Red Cross website
Crisis Care Commitment
Facts at a glance
As of end of January 2008, Australian Red Cross had more than 50 aid workers on overseas assignments in 20 countries around the world.
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