The federal government is considering a crackdown on ‘voluntourism’ involving Australian students travelling overseas to volunteer at unscrupulous orphanages in Cambodia and other Asian countries.
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Data published by Rethink Orphanages last year looked at the nation’s support for the institutionalisation of children overseas, in particular the number of schools and universities sending students to orphanages.
The report showed 13.89 per cent of Tasmanian private schools and 6.35 per cent of public high schools fundraised or took trips to international orphanages. The report also found 57.5 per cent of Australian universities advertised orphanage placements as part of international volunteering opportunities.
The University of Tasmania declined to comment when asked about the international volunteer programs offered to students.
Research by Friends International showed about 80 per cent of children in Cambodian orphanages have parents, raising concerns about Australian volunteers unwittingly participating in modern slavery.
Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said it “disgusted” him that “well-meaning students seeking to help vulnerable children overseas might be unwittingly signed up for scam volunteer programs.”
Volunteering Tasmania chief executive Alison Lai said Australians volunteering overseas were doing so in the “true spirit” of giving their time for others. She said any Tasmanian considering international volunteering should do their due diligence on the organisations.
