We're here to help

The St Vincent de Paul Society offers over 200 services across Australia that help people in need. For more information on the services provided in your state or territory click the link opposite or contact our assistance line:

Call 13 18 12

Postcode or suburb

Vinnies

Get Involved

Become a member

Making a lasting difference in your community by becoming a member of St Vincent de Paul Society.

Become a member

Join St Vincent de Paul Society

The St Vincent de Paul Society only exists through the action of our members. When you become a member, you are joining with over 45,000 members and volunteers across Australia who provide support through over 200 programs and services.

Our members are the backbone of our organisation and are called to seek out and support people who are disadvantaged, marginalised or living in poverty. They do this voluntarily whilst also challenging community attitudes and government policies about a range of issues impacting Australians.

Types of membership

There are two types of membership:

Conference members

Are committed to living the Society mission, serving those in need and attending regular conference meetings.

Associate members

Are committed to living the Society mission and service those in need, but do not attend conference meetings.

There are also opportunities to get involved with Vinnies through volunteering and on a project basis within some conferences.

We know that the level of involvement our members and volunteers can give depends on their personal circumstances.

Members and Conferences

“You really do feel as if you are a part of something special, part of something that can do good in the lives of those less fortunate”

- Jake, Society member, WA

How to join

Express your interest in joining Vinnies and your local state or territory office will contact you.

Membership form

For some Society Members, this is a chance to use their skills and experience to give back to the community. For others, membership provides a chance to develop new skills and gain experience in a supportive environment.

As a member, you'll benefit from:

The satisfaction of helping others
Sharing your skills and teaching others
Learning new skills
The sense of community and friendship.

There are a variety of membership opportunities to get involved with. Depending on location, these might include:

Providing practical and material assistance to people in need
Homeless services
Emergency relief
Advocacy
Disaster relief
Migrant and refugee services
Prison visitation
Budget counselling
Working in a call centre or support centre
Helping one of our support vans
Working in a family support, aged care or youth program
Taking disadvantaged children out on outings
Befriend a person living with mental illness

The Society recognises that the level of involvement members can commit to will vary depending on their personal circumstances such as study, work, and family commitments.

Members and volunteers are also supported to adjust their commitment as their personal circumstances change.

To ensure the safety and support of our members, we provide training in

Society programs
Workplace Health and Safety
Child protection
Social and formation opportunities, including retreats and Festival days.

You do not need to be Catholic to be a member. While the Society is a Catholic lay organisation, we welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs who support our mission to help people who are disadvantaged and living in poverty.