Optus' Workplace Giving and Volunteering programs give our employees a way to become easily and actively engaged with a range of charities.

Our Workplace Giving Program began in 2005 and enables our employees to make a charitable donation directly from their pre-tax salary. Optus is also committed to matching the generosity of our staff up to $100,000 per year. Together, with our people, we have contributed over $600,000* to our workplace giving charities.

* As at end of March 2009.

Our Volunteering Program launched nationally in 2007 and provides one day of paid volunteer leave per year to all full time and part time employees. Employees can then choose to use their leave for team or individual volunteering activities with one of the Optus Workplace Giving partners, or select their own favourite charity to support.

Since they were launched, both these programs have been immensely successful.

Optus Workplace Giving Program Charity Partners:

	Assistance Dogs Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that trains Labrador and Retriever pups to provide freedom and independence to people with physical disabilities. Through our Workplace Giving Program, Optus has sponsored several puppies – providing training and day-to-day needs, such as food, clothing and bedding. One of our staff members has also helped train a puppy.
	Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a non-profit organisation, dedicated to saving Australia’s native animal species – and the habitats they depend on – from extinction. In 2008, Optus donations helped the AWC purchase Kalamurina, a vast desert wilderness stretching from the northern shore of Lake Eyre to the southern boundary of the Simpson Desert. This purchase created the largest, non-government nature reserve in the world!
	Beyondblue works in partnership with health services, schools, workplaces, universities, media and community organisations - as well as to people living with depression. Optus provides financial and volunteer-based support for beyondblue’s research activities – which are aimed at finding new treatments for depression, and increasing the proportion of people who seek help for their mental health problems.
	The Cancer Council brings together Australia's leading State and Territory cancer organisations to promote healthy living, reduce the risk of cancer, and provide complete support to cancer patients and their families. The donations support provided by Optus staff have helped the Cancer Council provide care to those affected by cancer. This assistance is often provided through Cancer Support Groups which allow members to cope with cancer diagnosis, increase cancer knowledge, learn to live with cancer and enjoy life after cancer.
	Kids Help Line is Australia's only free national counselling service specifically for young people aged five to 25 years. Through our Workplace Giving and Volunteer Programs, Optus has helped Kids Help Line recruit and train counsellors to take calls from distressed young people that would otherwise go unanswered. Optus also recently launched a new website for parents called ‘Talk to Your Kids’ which provides information and tips to parents to help them improve the way they talk to their children. For more information, visit www.talktoyourkids.com.au.
	Mission Australia is one of Australia's leading non-denominational Christian community service organisations - and aims to empower disadvantaged and isolated individuals, families and communities. Through our Workplace Giving and Volunteer Programs, we have supported Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, a residential facility for young people who are experiencing chronic homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues. In 2008, Optus is also supporting Mission Australia’s Elevate program – through which Optus staff can mentor young people from years 11-12.
	The NELUNE Foundation aims to provide physiological, emotional and practical support for public hospital and under-privileged cancer patients in the community, so as to help patients face cancer with dignity. Optus and our people have helped the Nelune Foundation to provide practical and tangible help for public hospital cancer patients receiving treatment in the NSW Public Hospital System.
	The RSPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. In 2008, donations made by Optus employees, will help provide vaccinations for 3,200 dogs and cats at RSPCA animal shelters across Australia!
	The Salvation Army ooffers practical and spiritual help to put the lives of people back together so they can have a fair opportunity to live to their full potential. Donations from Optus employees have helped The Salvation Army maintain their work and offer programs such as the Youthlink Reconnect Program, an early intervention program aimed at keeping youth at risk and their families together.
	The Starlight Children’s Foundation is dedicated to brightening the lives of critically, chronically, and terminally ill children aged four to 18 years. Optus has been proud supporter of Starlight for 15 years and have raised approximately $2million in this time. Funds raised by Optus people contribute to the most essential element of Starlight’s program delivery – Captain Starlight. In the eyes of a child, Captain Starlight is a magical super hero bringing laughter, games, magic and all kinds of fun activities into their lives. To find out how we further support Starlight Children’s Foundation, please click here.
	Youth off the Streets works with chronically homeless and drug affected young people. Through the Optus Workplace Giving Program, Optus currently provides support for McIntosh House. This important facility helps young people re-integrate into mainstream society by helping them develop interpersonal, social and educational skills.
	World Vision is a humanitarian organisation providing help on the basis of need and serving all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Optus staff support World Vision through child sponsorship - with Optus matching directed to a HIV/ Aids project in India.