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Complete guide to Fit to Work Checks for Lifeline North Coast
ABOUT GETTING A FIT TO WORK CHECK

We are obliged to conduct a Fit To Work (police check) before you can start volunteering or working with us. To make this as easy as possible please read the following instructions carefully:

  • You ARE REQUIRED to bring 100 points of identity documents to your interview

  • If you do not have 100 point of identify we cannot complete your application

  • We have prepared a 100 Points of Identity Guide below, highlighting the documents you can use to make up your 100 points of identity.

  • Please call our office BEFORE your interview if you believe you will have trouble producing the required identification documents to discuss – ph. 6651 4093.

  • Lifeline North Coast will conduct your Fit To Work check at no cost to you.

  • Getting the Fit To Work finalised can be a tricky part of the process but we are here to guide you.

1. Information you need to know:

  • Identification must not be expired.
  • A physical copy of all IDs must be brought along to the interview.
  • All identification will be photocopied, witnessed in person and signed by our JP (Cheryl)
  • At least one form of identification needs to be photo ID.

2. Four types of identification are needed.

ONE document from category 1

  • Australian Passport
  • Australian Birth certificate
  • Immigration card (photo and birthdate need to be on it)
  • Australian Visa
  • Certificate of evidence of resident status (must have birthdate on it)

*If the last name on any of the above identifications is different than the rest of your ID, a change of name (such as a marriage certificate is also needed)

ONE document from category 2

  • Australian Driver’s licence
  • Foreign passport
  • Proof of age/photo identity card
  • Australian Marriage certificate

TWO documents from category 3

  • Medicare card
  • Seniors Card
  • Pension/Veterans Affairs/Health Care card
  • Bank-credit/debit card
  • Rates/Bill with your name and address
  • Overseas drivers’ licence
  • Enrolment with Australian Electoral Commission
  • Tafe/Uni photo card
  • Private health card

3. Options:

  • If no ID from category 1 is available, we can use your Australian Drivers licence, however, a second document from category 2 will need to be supplied – two in total from category 2 is acceptible
  • If documents are unavailable, we can provide a statutory declaration form signed by yourself and witnessed by our JP (Chery) to state that you changed your name when you were married-if possible, providing your Maiden/Previous name and the date (or wedding date) of the name change.

DOWNLOAD COPY HERE

Common FAQ's about becoming a volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING I HAVE TO DO?

The first thing you need to do when considering becoming a Lifeline Crisis Supporter is to attend an Information Session to discover what is involved.  For your convenience, we have just launched an online self-paced Information Series where you will learn everything you need to know about becoming a Crisis Supporter.  Click here to watch

After you register to watch the Information Session, one of our Intake Team will contact you to chat with you and answer any further questions you may have about continuing on this journey.  If you do wish to continue the next steps are to:

  • Submit an Application Form
  • Attend an Interview
  • Submit a Working with Children check and provide a Services ID. 
  • Enrol in CSWT Training

But do not worry we will be there to guide you all the way.

CSWT stand for Crisis Supporter Workplace Training. CSWT has been created to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to undertake the Crisis Supporter role within Lifeline.

The Crisis Support Volunteer training involves 3 stages of training to become an accredited Crisis Support Volunteer

Stage 1 – Initial training (e-learning and live online group training)
Stage 2 – Student Placement
Stage 3 – Internship

CSWT takes 12 months in total to work through the 3 stages.

Lifeline Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO – 88036) registered by Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Lifeline North Coast is an RTO Designated Training Sites under the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Quality Framework.

On successful completion of the entire CSWT pathway you will gain the qualification CHCSS00113 Crisis Support Skill Set and receive a Statement of Attainment with the below three units of competency.

• CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
• CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
• CHCCCS028 Provide client centred support to people in crisis.

These units of competency may contribute to your studies or employment. We recommended you research these details with your learning institution or workplace for further information.

We ask our Volunteers to commit to being a Crisis Support Volunteer with Lifeline for a minimum of 2 years. Volunteers must complete a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Currently the learning component is all online, with the face-to-face component held in the Lifeline North Coast offices in Coffs Harbour.

The location of the phone room is confidential. At the beginning of initial training each student signs a code of conduct then the details of the phone room are discussed and seen during the observation shift as part of stage 1.

The training is very comprehensive and involved, and ordinarily costs thousands of dollars. However, we can offer the course now for a one-time payment of $475 or $500 if you would prefer to pay in instalments. This investment includes ongoing support and professional development. On average it costs the organisation $3,700 for the training so you can see the saving we are able to offer.

It is a professional Volunteer training package in which you will receive a statement of attainment with 3 units of competency that can be used for RPL, and future employment and improves general communication skills.

If you have any financial concerns or feel this investment means you cannot volunteer please contact us.

When you dedicate your donation to someone you know, they will receive a gift card via an email to let them know that you are also allowing your friend to make a difference alongside you. Together, you both can help us answer more calls, foster connections, and help lives. 

Common FAQ's about becoming a volunteer at one of our Lifeline Shops or warehouse
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING I HAVE TO DO?

If you would like to become involved with Lifeline North Coast as a volunteer the first thing you have to do is reach out and contact us with your expression of interest.

After you register to watch the Information Session, one of our Intake Team will contact you to chat with you and answer any further questions you may have about continuing on this journey.  If you do wish to continue the next steps are to:

  • Submit an Application Form
  • Attend an Interview
  • Submit a Working with Children check and provide a Services ID. 
  • Enrol in CSWT Training

But do not worry we will be there to guide you all the way.

CSWT stand for Crisis Supporter Workplace Training. CSWT has been created to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to undertake the Crisis Supporter role within Lifeline.

The Crisis Support Volunteer training involves 3 stages of training to become an accredited Crisis Support Volunteer

Stage 1 – Initial training (e-learning and live online group training)
Stage 2 – Student Placement
Stage 3 – Internship

CSWT takes 12 months in total to work through the 3 stages.

Lifeline Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO – 88036) registered by Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Lifeline North Coast is an RTO Designated Training Sites under the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Quality Framework.

On successful completion of the entire CSWT pathway you will gain the qualification CHCSS00113 Crisis Support Skill Set and receive a Statement of Attainment with the below three units of competency.

• CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
• CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
• CHCCCS028 Provide client centred support to people in crisis.

These units of competency may contribute to your studies or employment. We recommended you research these details with your learning institution or workplace for further information.

We ask our Volunteers to commit to being a Crisis Support Volunteer with Lifeline for a minimum of 2 years. Volunteers must complete a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Currently the learning component is all online, with the face-to-face component held in the Lifeline North Coast offices in Coffs Harbour.

The location of the phone room is confidential. At the beginning of initial training each student signs a code of conduct then the details of the phone room are discussed and seen during the observation shift as part of stage 1.

The training is very comprehensive and involved, and ordinarily costs thousands of dollars. However, we can offer the course now for a one-time payment of $475 or $500 if you would prefer to pay in instalments. This investment includes ongoing support and professional development. On average it costs the organisation $3,700 for the training so you can see the saving we are able to offer.

It is a professional Volunteer training package in which you will receive a statement of attainment with 3 units of competency that can be used for RPL, and future employment and improves general communication skills.

If you have any financial concerns or feel this investment means you cannot volunteer please contact us.

If you would like to become involved with Lifeline North Coast as a volunteer the first thing you have to do is reach out and contact us with your expression of interest.

We have three ways of doing this:

You can Call us and speak to our Volunteer Coordinator

You can go ahead and do a “Quick Apply” online here

You can drop into a shop and pick up a short paper application form

Our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you and organise an informal interview with you.

We have volunteer opportunities at each of our Lifeline Shops and at our warehouse

  1. West High Street, Coffs Harbour
  2. Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour
  3. Hi-Tech Drive, Toormina
  4. Prince Street, Grafton
  5. Nambucca Plaza, Nambucca

At the Lifeline Shop in Hi-Tech Drive, Toormina

We believe in attempting to match your interests, skills and expectations as best as we can to what we offer.  Every endeavour will be made to make sure you are enjoying your time volunteering with us.

You can volunteer for as long and as often as you like.  Some of volunteers spend anything between 2, 4, 6 or 8 hrs each week. Some just do 1 morning a month.  It is entirely what you choose to give of your time.  We value every single contribution.

Once you go through the application process and we receive your Fit to Work allowing you to start volunteering with us, you will be sent a copy of the following, some of which require a digital signature:

  • Lifeline North Coast Code of Conduct
  • Lifeline North Coast Volunteer Agreement
  • Lifeline North Coast Confidentiality Agreement
  • Volunteer Position Description
  • Volunteer Discount Policy 

Here is a link to complete this step – this needs to be done before your start date.

https://lifelinenorthcoast.org.au/volunteer-terms-and-conditions/

YES.  We have a simple feedback form available to current and past volunteers where you can request our Volunteer Experience Coordinator to contact you or you can leave feedback.

Volunteer Feedback Form

Common FAQ's about engaging Lifeline North Coast for Corporate Training

Engaging with Lifeline North Coast for your training needs  is a very easy 3 Step process:

Step 1

You submit a Corporate Training Request form which will get actioned within 2 days.

Step 2

Our Training Coordinator will reach out to you with a proposed training solution based on the information you provide.

Step 3

We will then collaborate together to fine tune and create a customised Training Contract which truly meets the needs of your organisation.

Once we receive a signed copy of the agreed Training Contract we can start to get  your staff registered on our systems.  Some training courses necessitate the setting up of accounts on the wider Lifeline Australia training networks, some just require access via the Lifeline North Coast training portal. 

To make it easy for your organisation you just need to fill in This SINGLE Registration Form where you can register all your users on this one form. NOTE: we do require a separate entity and email address for each user.

Our training coordinator will liaise closely with you at each part of the process, keeping you well informed of what to expect at each stage.  We make every effort to ensure you have a streamlined experience.

Common FAQ's about Lifeline North Coast

North Coast Retail Shops are not just ordinary retail stores; Our team of volunteers and staff are driven by a mission to support our Crisis Support Phone line (13 11 14) which plays a vital role in saving lives.  All 5 of our retail shops (Grafton, Vernon Street and the West High Street, Coffs Harbour stores, Toormina and Nambucca Heads) offer quality goods at reasonable price points to fund the critical support services we provide to individuals in times of crisis. By empowering our customers with affordable options and valuing the bigger purpose behind our efforts, we are creating a positive impact on society, ensuring our sustainability is helping more people in need. Through our retail shops, community support, and phone line services, we aim to support anyone facing challenging times and prevent suicide, making a significant difference in the community.

More information>>

Watch CSWT Information Session

Complete the form and you will be directed to the Video Information Session

Donate to Lifeline North Coast​

Make a Donation

Help us answer more calls so we can be there for people in their darkest moment

Fundraise for us

Are you interested in raising funds for suicide prevention initiatives?