Volunteering is very important in our community. You can join hundreds of local volunteers who regularly give their time and energy to help others.
Volunteer with us
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Youth Services are currently looking for dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic young people, aged 13– 25 years to join our 2025 volunteer programs.
Complete the Youth Volunteer Application 2025 to apply. Please see more information about the volunteer roles below.
Youth Ambassadors
The Youth Ambassador Program is made up of young people who are passionate about being involved in their community and representing the views, ideas and needs of young people in the Ballarat area.
Youth Ambassadors are involved in community events, advocate for young people in the Ballarat region, inform Council and community planning in consultations, and develop a joint ‘youth led’ community impact project or campaign. Youth Ambassadors will develop skills in areas such as project management, cultural competency and media and communication, and have other unique opportunities to develop their leadership skills and community networks.
Youth Ambassador Volunteer Role Statement
If you have any questions, please contact:
- Susan Larmer: susanlarmer@ballarat.vic.gov.au
- Phone or SMS: 0438 553 478
Young Eventsters
Young Eventsters is made up of young people who are passionate about being involved in their community and celebrating the achievements, creativity and leadership demonstrated by our youth. The Young Eventsters is in a unique position to innovate and shine a light on opportunities that promote positive outcomes for young people in Ballarat.
Young Eventsters is a youth led initiative, working on a variety of projects including the highly respected City of Ballarat Youth Awards. Other initiatives focus on celebrating and recognising key calendar events or days of significance. These may include Harmony Fest, IDAHOBIT Day, NAIDOC Week, R U OK Day, Mental Health Week and International Day of People with Disability. Participants will develop skills in areas such as project management, cultural competency, media and communication skills, and have other unique opportunities to develop their teamwork and leadership skills.
Young Eventsters Volunteer Role Statement
If you have any questions, please contact:
- Grace Milne: gracemilne@ballarat.vic.gov.au
- Phone or SMS: 0409 760 209
FReeZA - SONIKA
FReeZA is a Victorian State Government funded initiative that gives young people aged 13-25 all around the state the opportunity to lead the planning and staging of live music and cultural events for other young people. SONIKA is Ballarat’s FReeZA committee.
Participants are provided hands on experience and training in event management, marketing and promotion, sound and lighting production, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.
Follow freezasonika on Facebook and Instagram for updates on local all-ages events & performance and development opportunities for artists and musicians.
FReeZA Volunteer Role Statement
If you have any questions, please contact:
- Lucy Timms: lucytimms@ballarat.vic.gov.au
- Phone or SMS: 0417 305 576
The City of Ballarat has a zero tolerance for child abuse and promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children, including Aboriginal children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with disability. We take allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently in line with our policies and procedures.
Become a Ballarat Ambassador
Our Ballarat Ambassadors provide information on Ballarat to a large number of visitors each year. Their love and knowledge of the city and its rich history adds to Ballarat's reputation as a friendly, welcoming and culturally vibrant city.
Visit our Current Vacancies page to find out how to apply.
Parent Place Volunteer Opportunity
Parent Place helps families with young children to thrive, providing useful information and community links in an inclusive and safe space.
Families can visit Parent Place to feed and change their babies, find information, participate in an activity and have a play!
It is staffed and open to the public from 9:30am-2:30pm Monday to Friday.
Families can also access various services, including Maternal and Child Health, lactation consultant services, violence and family law advice. All the services are free and everyone is welcome.
Parent Place is currently looking for volunteers to join our supportive and welcoming team.
Volunteers are an integral part of our team and play an important role in welcoming and assisting families. If you have special interests or skills (such as craft, musical instrument, or more) or just a passion for helping families, we would love to hear from you.
We welcome applications from volunteers from all walks of life.
Apply to volunteer at Parent Place
If you have any questions, please contact us at via parentplace@ballarat.vic.gov.au, phone 5320 5165 or pop into Parent Place for a chat.
Page topics
Develop a business plan
A written business plan is the essential first step to start your business.
Create your business plan and outline:
- What is the product and services you plan to offer?
- An explanation of the intended customer, and how you will attract them?
- What is required to set up your business?
Visit the Business Victoria website for more information about how to write a business plan.
Research planning requirements
Planning considers the way land is used and developed, and how this impacts the character and amenity of an area.
Planning requirements may inform the following:
- Can your business operate on the proposed location?
- Onsite signage possibilities
- The impact of your business to the existing neighbourhood and services
To understand your planning requirements we will be able to better support you if you can provide:
- You will need your business plan or vision
- If you already have a property in mind, please provide us with the address
- A basic plan showing how your business will operate.
If you are still looking for a property, please let us know your requirements and our team are happy support you.
Visit Preparing for where you will do business for further information about Planning requirements or contact the Economic Development team.
Contact us
The City of Ballarat’s Economic Development Team is dedicated to supporting businesses, small, large, or just starting. By providing us with the information about your business at the start, we can direct you to the right people in the City of Ballarat to progress your vision.
The team is available to assist you to:
- Conduct initial research to identify commercial or industrial sites
- Guide you through council's regulatory processes
- Connect you with regional markets, key influencers, and business associations
- Connect you with other council services
Phone: 5320 5500
Email: economicdevelopment@ballarat.vic.gov.au
Online application form: Small Business Application
The team will then be in contact with you to discuss your business over the phone or to arrange an in person meeting.
Stay up-to-date with business news
Subscribe to our Economic Development e-newsletter to receive information about:
-
City of Ballarat business development and networking events
-
Other opportunities for businesses supported by City of Ballarat
It has never been a better time to consider establishing your business in Ballarat.
As the largest city in Western Victoria and one of the fastest growing in Victoria, Ballarat is a city that has so much to offer business and industry.
Discover more about what Ballarat has to offer for people wanting to Invest, Work, Live and Study in Ballarat at ballarat.com.au
Ballarat's economic snapshot
The City of Ballarat has engaged the services of Economy.id to present our municipalities economic profile so you can view the economic information that enables you to describe the area's role within the broader economy, explore options for economic development and promote the area's strengths.
Contact us
The City of Ballarat’s Economic Development Team is dedicated to supporting businesses, small, large, or just starting. By providing us with the information about your business at the start, we can direct you to the right people in the City of Ballarat to progress your vision.
The team is available to assist you to:
- Conduct initial research to identify commercial or industrial sites
- Guide you through council's regulatory processes
- Connect you with regional markets, key influencers, and business associations
- Connect you with other council services
Phone: 5320 5500
Email: economicdevelopment@ballarat.vic.gov.au
Online application form: Small Business Application
The team will then be in contact with you to discuss your business over the phone or to arrange an in person meeting.
Stay up-to-date with business news
Subscribe to our Economic Development e-newsletter to receive information about:
-
City of Ballarat business development and networking events
-
Other opportunities for businesses supported by City of Ballarat
