What does it cost?
Here is the good news: the AYAD Program is a fully supported program. This means that volunteers do not pay to participate in the Program.
The good news isn't just for volunteers, Host Organisations don't pay to participate in the AYAD Program either. Their contribution is to ensure that they have the tools necessary for you to do your assignment and support mechanisms such as a supervisor and counterparts for you to work with.
So what does fully supported mean?
The AYAD Program provides a range of support for Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYADs) before, during and after their assignment including:
1. Australian Volunteers Briefing
Australian Volunteers Briefing aims to prepare you for your AYAD assignment through the provision of information on how the AYAD Program works, AusAID's strategic focus and work in the region and tools for capacity building, sustainable development and cross cultural communication. Australian Volunteers Briefing uses country specific examples and case studies and includes country specific sessions (with Returned AYADs from the country you're going to).
2. Pre-departure costs
The AYAD Program provides a comprehensive medical examination and all the vaccinations required for you to work safely and healthily in the developing country in which your assignment is based. It also provides financial support for a number of pre-mobilisation processes, including obtaining your visa. However, it does not cover the cost of attending your dental check-up prior to mobilising, obtaining your First Aid certificate or renewing your passport, should you need to do that to participate in the Program.
While the Program covers essential costs, participants are expected to have their own reserves for emergencies or additional expenses, in particular those volunteering with partners and children. In the unlikely case of a medical evacuation, the program covers all travel, accomodation and medical costs but will not pay for the cost of local transport, food or incidentals.
3. Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance is provided to all AYADs to cover their travel, medical and emergency needs. Full disclosure of the terms of the insurance policy are included in both the 'Conditional Offer Pack' (the conditional offer of a placement) and at Briefing. AYADs are also covered by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Government and the government of the country in which they will be working which states that they are allowed to be working there as a volunteer.
4. Travel to your assignment and back to Australia
Your travel to your assignment and back to Australia at the end of your assignment (including airfares) is provided by the AYAD Program
5. Living and accommodation allowances
The AYAD Program provides a range of allowances to cover the costs of living and working in a developing country. These include a settlement allowance, living and accommodation allowance, assignment support allowance, language support allowance and resettlement allowance. For full details on all the allowances check out the Volunteer Allowances page.
6. In-country support from the In-country Manager (ICM)
The AYAD Program has In-country Management Teams in all the countries where AYADs are placed. ICM Teams are the first point of contact for AYADs while they are on assignment, and support AYADs in a range of different ways from providing in-country orientation to finding accommodation and a whole lot more. See In country support for more details.
7. Post placement Health Assessment
On return from assignment AYADs are provided with a post placement health assessment. The Program will cover the cost of the health assessment including referrals for pathology testing.
8. Debrief on return from assignment
AYADs are also invited to attend a Debrief on return from their AYAD assignment and to join the AYAD Alumni. Alumni members have access to a monthly job bulletin, paid development internships in Australia and a range of other services. Check out the Returned AYADs page to learn more.