Of the six activities approved for a Work and Development Order, voluntary unpaid work is the one most people end up doing. It is also the one with the most uncertainty attached: what counts, who signs it off, and what will I actually be asked to do? House of Sadaqa is an approved WDO sponsor in Sydney and hosts this work directly. Start at the House of Sadaqa WDO page.
Can I just volunteer anywhere and count the hours?
No, and this is the single most common mistake. The work has to be done with an approved WDO sponsor. Hours volunteered at an organisation that is not an approved sponsor do not count, no matter how genuine the work was.
What does the work actually involve at House of Sadaqa?
Volunteers contribute to community programs, warehouse work and events. It is practical, hands-on work: sorting and preparing goods, helping with distributions, and supporting the programs that get essentials to families.
Who records my hours?
The sponsor does. Hours are tracked and reported to Revenue NSW on your behalf, so you are not responsible for submitting paperwork yourself.
How much debt do the hours clear?
Credit accrues up to the scheme cap of $1,000 per month, which applies across all your WDO activities combined rather than per activity.
Do I need experience?
No. The work is designed so that someone arriving with no background can be useful on day one, with someone showing you what to do.
Can I combine volunteering with another approved activity?
Yes, you can do more than one approved activity. Be aware the $1,000 monthly cap is the total across everything, so combining activities does not increase the credit you earn.
House of Sadaqa is an approved WDO sponsor and also hosts Work for the Dole placements. If you have NSW fine debt and meet one of the eligibility pathways, start at the House of Sadaqa WDO page. Scheme rules come from Revenue NSW.