Volunteering Program

Please Note: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and there is a 4 week minimum stay. If you can't commit to staying for a whole month, please check out our Karma Yoga option.

On-site registrations or walk-in meetings are not an option. All volunteer placements are arranged in advance through our online application process. Each application is reviewed based on availability and suitability, and we will be in touch with you after carefully reviewing your application.

Code of Conduct

At Krishna Village, we strive to create a peaceful and spiritual environment for all of our guests. As a retreat centre, we ask that all of our volunteers maintain a friendly and open-minded attitude. We also value a strong work ethic, and the ability to communicate effectively in English.

We understand that certain practices and habits may be a part of your daily routine, but in order to fully embrace the spiritual atmosphere of our community, we ask that all volunteers refrain from smoking, drugs, alcohol, and non-spiritual music while on the farm, as well as follow a vegetarian diet. We kindly request your cooperation in this matter as we aim to provide a holistic spiritual experience for all.

As a yoga community, we also ask that everyone dresses in a respectable and modest manner. Walking around bare-chested or in overly sensual clothing is not appropriate.

Before applying, we kindly ask that you take the time to review our Code of Conduct, to ensure that you align with our values and practices. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Krishna Village.

We would also like to remind you that our retreat center is focused on providing a spiritual yoga experience, rather than a party/hostel atmosphere. If this aligns with what you are looking for, we would love to have you join us.

The Volunteer Experience

For all new volunteers, we require a minimum commitment of four weeks. This initial trial period serves as an opportunity for both the volunteer and Krishna Village to assess mutual suitability and ensure a positive integration into our community. If you demonstrate enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a genuine community spirit during their initial month, we can extend your stay by another month.

Our decision-making process takes into account various factors such as our current booking situation, adherence to established work ethics, participation in yoga classes and community activities, and compatibility with other volunteers, managers, and guests. If you would like to stay longer, a notice of two weeks prior to the scheduled departure date is required to ensure proper planning and coordination.

Your day as a volunteer

We work for 5hrs/day on 6 days/week (Sun-Fri) and rest on Saturdays. We start at 6:15am every morning with a morning circle, and mostly work in and around the Krishna Village gardens, kitchen, cleaning team and maintenance. At 8:20am we have a 1hr breakfast break and finish work at 12:15pm, right before lunch. In the afternoon we start kirtan and yogic living classes at 1:30pm. You can come along (which would be great) or enjoy a swim, drive to the beach or relax.

The yoga and other classes on the regular Krishna Village retreat schedule and at our temple are available to you free of charge. Generally, you don’t have to pay for anything, yet some extra cost may apply if you want to use the coin laundry, participate in courses or buy your own food in addition to what is provided.

Working Holiday Visa eligibility

First and foremost, we are looking for people who want more than just visa days, and are genuinely curious about yoga and conscious living in a spiritual community. If that's not your vibe, that's fair enough, but please apply elsewhere. If that's you however, you will work closely with our team, share in our daily routine, and have the chance to experience the transformative lifestyle Krishna Village is known for.

 For those of you who fall into this category and are legally eligible, we are happy to sign off visa days for 2nd or 3rd year visas. As stated above, your minimum commitment with us is 4 weeks, but we are happy to welcome you for 88 days or beyond, if we work well together. Remember: this is a working farm as well as a spiritual community and yoga retreat centre, so professionalism, a genuine will to participate in community life and polite dealings with staff, fellow volunteers and paying guests are of utmost importance.

This is a unique opportunity to not just get visa days signed off, but grow personally and connect deeply with yourself and others. Come for the visa days – stay for the experience.

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The process is as follows:

(1) Firstly, there must be a written agreement about your intention to do your 88 days with us. This is a legal document, so this must be completed upon your arrival at Krishna Village.
(2) Upon successful completion of your initial 1 month trial period, and provided you have shown enthusiasm and integrated well with our community, you may formally begin your 88 day visa-qualifying farm work. Your trial period will count towards your 88 days.
Please note that during the subsequent month, should there be any significant change in performance or other issues, our agreement to facilitate the 88-day period may be terminated. The days you have completed until that point will be signed off by us.
(3) Conversely, if your service continues without any issues, you are welcome to remain at Krishna Village for the entire 88-day period, happily contributing to our community.

The Food

We provide 3 delicious vegetarian meals every day, with lunches (vegan) taking place at the Krishna Village community kitchen, and breakfast and dinners - mostly Indian style - served at the prasadam hall, next to the temple. We grow as much of our own organic food as we can, and otherwise buy locally (non organic) wherever possible. If you have any special dietary requirements, you are also welcome to bring what you need and cook your own meals at our community kitchen.

All our food is prasadam - sacred food prepared in a consciousness of loving service. Like in other cultures, we offer our food before we eat to say Grace and thank the Divine for the sun, the rain, and all the visible and invisible blessings necessary to co-create a delicious meal. Feel free to sing along with us, or just listen and enjoy...

Accommodation

In terms of accommodation, we offer a beautiful camping area that suits tents and camper vans, whichever you prefer to bring. We often book out, so please make sure to apply at least 6-8 weeks in advance. 

Please note that there is a $5 administration fee and a $100 refundable bond per volunteer. The bond must be paid in advance and is required to secure your place as a volunteer. It is non-refundable if cancellation occurs within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival.

The bond helps us make sure the space is respected and left clean (no rubbish, old tents, or belongings left behind). Your $100 bond will be fully refunded within 48 hours after check-out, as long as everything is in order. Please remember to check out in person at reception before leaving.

If you cancel your stay during the volunteering period, a $50 cancellation fee will apply, and the remaining $50 of your bond will be refunded. If there are any issues such as misconduct, repeated lateness or not showing up for work, disturbances with others, unpaid fees, or staying on the property while unregistered, the bond may be partly or fully retained.

The Krishna Farm

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Warning, in the heart of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, the Hare Krishna farm “New Govardhana” is a 1000 acre property with orchards, certified organic veggie gardens, sacred cows and swimming holes in abundance.

New Govardhana serves as an ashram to a community of yogis who aspire to live according to their deepest vows and commitments on their path of service, spiritual contentment and happiness (Bhakti Yoga). Their service and dedication make this location a beautiful place of growth, healing and spiritual awakening. If you are interested, please come along and visit our beautiful Radha Govardhandhari temple and learn more about the origins or our "simple giving, high thinking" philosophy.

Why choose Krishna Village as a place to Volunteer?

There is so much to love about volunteering. If you are engaged, spiritual, and in-touch with the natural world, we welcome you to our home among the rolling hills of the Tweed Coast hinterland in the beautiful Northern Rivers of NSW.

A warm, supportive community

When you join us for a WWOOFing experience, you become a co-creator of the Krishna Village atmosphere. You join our family – our community of kind, supportive, aware individuals dedicated to spirituality, health, and personal growth. Many of our volunteers remain lifelong friends and continue to travel together here in Australia and worldwide.