Australian Red Cross
    (190 reviews)

    Company Reviews

    Working at Australian Red Cross

    3.9190 ratings in total
    5
    90
    4
    37
    3
    28
    2
    16
    1
    19
    70%
    Rate salary as high or average
    73%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.9(190 ratings)
    Career development
    3.4(190 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.4(190 ratings)
    Management
    3.4(190 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.8(190 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    4.1(189 ratings)
    Ratings for Australian Red Cross are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

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    1.0
    First Aid Trainer and Assessor
    Apr 2026
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    TOXIC environment, your mental health will suffer. STAY AWAY from this place.
    The good thingsSome team members with whom I worked closely with were great, but they were not treated well, and most times on gag orders. All the internal processes about a fair workplace and employees' wellness and health is just a "BIG JOKE"
    The challengesManagement and culture is absolutely toxic. The worst non-profit organisation you could work for. Highly commercially driven for profit, where they lose sight of treating employees with respect and fairness. Any reported issue will be taken very seriously, irrespective of whether you are on the right. Management is brutal, so is the HR system. Very incompetent management and HR. Appears they have no skills in what they do. You would be emotionally drained. I also found the management and HR processes to be lacking in capability and empathy, which made already difficult situations feel even more challenging. While the first few months may create the impression of a positive environment, over time, the underlying culture becomes more apparent. The cumulative effect of this environment can be emotionally draining, particularly for those who place a high value on psychological safety and mental well-being.” If you believe your mental health is extremely important to you then STAY AWAY!
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Family Support Worker
    Mar 2026
    Townsville QLD 48103 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Amazing learning opportunity and a Great steppingstone into the sector.
    The good thingsIt is a big org with best practice formally developed. Easy to follow systems and lots of career opportunities.
    The challengesSometimes it was hard to navigate workplace relationships. Local management had lack of knowledge and experience.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Case Worker
    Feb 2026
    Townsville QLD 4810Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Case Worker at Red Cross Townsville
    The good thingsGreat team, supportive management and opportunities for career advancement.
    The challengesWorking in the homelessness sector is challenging.
    5.0
    NSW/ACT Indigenous Engagement Officer
    Oct 2025
    Wagga Wagga NSW 2650Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Awesome work place , Supportive staff and Management
    The good thingsWorking with likeminded individuals Travel and Networking
    The challengesLength of contracts
    4.0
    Corporate Services
    Sep 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30008 to 9 years in the role, former employee
    Great organisation to work for with a good cause. But new management has a profit/ self interest driven mindset.
    The good thingsVery supportive Corporate team.
    The challengesThe transition to new management created significant operational challenges. Their limited understanding of existing systems and processes resulted in the implementation of new systems that added manual work rather than improving efficiency. This shift not only reduced productivity but also increased the administrative burden on staff. Additionally, the decision to withdraw from community programs was particularly difficult to accept. These programs provided essential support to vulnerable communities, and discontinuing them felt like abandoning those who relied on us most. This approach conflicted with my personal values and the organisation’s broader responsibility to the community. From my perspective, there were opportunities to achieve necessary cost reductions at the top executive level. Such measures could have preserved critical community programs and protected frontline staff, ensuring both financial responsibility and social impact were balanced.
    1 person found this helpful
    2.0
    Manager
    Aug 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30005 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Not an industry leader, toxic work culture and high stress loads with poor remuneration.
    The good thingsThe immediate team members, volunteers, members, clients and other external stakeholders are wonderful to work with.
    The challengesPoor salary below industry standards, severe top down decision making, poor retention and high turnover due to short term contracts, lack of funding, unprofessional HR teams and nepotism.
    4 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Store Manager
    Feb 2025
    Bairnsdale VIC 38751 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    I met some great people as well as some I never want to see again.
    The good thingsMost of the volunteers were fantastic
    The challengesThe previous manager had a mole in store and was consistently undermining me, and it was allowed to happen by upper management.
    5 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Scrum Master
    Feb 2025
    Melbourne VIC 3000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Extremely disappointing experience with this company. The culture is highly toxic and deeply divided, fostering favoritism, exclusion, and a complete lack of respect for new employees. There’s no proper on boarding, minimal support, and an overall hostile work environment. Leadership is ineffective, with poor communication, zero transparency, and a blame-game mentality. Work-life balance is non-existent, with unrealistic expectations, constant micromanagement, and no appreciation for employees' efforts. Growth opportunities are limited as promotions are based on politics rather than merit. HR is unresponsive, and employee concerns are ignored. Overall, a chaotic, disorganized, and demotivating place to work.
    The good thingsNothing ! There is not enough space in the office to sit. You have to book seat before you go to office, and often you find a place very far from the team you belongs to.
    The challengesThe company fosters a toxic, divided culture filled with favoritism and disregard for new employees. Leadership is weak, transparency is lacking, and management offers no support, leading to frustration and low morale. Micromanagement and unrealistic expectations further worsen the work Envt.
    18 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Volunteer Support Officer
    Nov 2024
    East Perth WA 6004Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Would never go back!!!
    The good thingsThe services the organisation provides are excellent and if you care about the world, its a good place to work. The volunteers are unbelievably committed and generally amazing people! Most staff (in departments outside mine) seem happy.
    The challengesThe management is a joke. The manager of my department was in the office for a few days of the 9+ months I worked there and was very difficult to contact when WFH. The State Manager did nothing about issues and did a terrible job at running the organisation.
    11 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Driver
    Feb 2024
    Derrimut VIC 3026Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Worst experience ever.
    The good thingsYou get paid week to week.
    The challengesManagement unable to follow Work safe and OHS regulations that protect staff is a major problem.
    9 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Case Manager
    Sep 2023
    Townsville QLD 4810
    Really enjoy working here, would reccommend
    The good thingsThe teams and Management are supportive, helpful, genuine, and fair. Teams work hard to support the community.
    The challengesWorking with people in crisis is challenging but it is very rewarding
    3 people found this helpful
    4.0
    HR Business Partner
    Jun 2023
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Great experience. Will miss definitely miss the people.
    The good thingsThe team is great. Very collaborative and all working towards the same goal.
    The challengesHard to keep up with all the changes sometimes.
    3 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Case Manager
    Jun 2023
    Toowoomba QLD 4350former employee
    Wonderful team, challenging management.
    The good thingsWonderful team of individuals who genuinely care about what they do and who they help. Friendly, relaxed social spirit in office. Very manageable case load.
    The challengesCommunication from management was often haphazard or incomplete, which, on different occasions, had potential for safety issues and increased office tension. Challenging at times to access management to gain approvals where required to progress on work tasks. Case loads could have been distributed more progressively to ensure team members are not sitting idle waiting for client engagement.
    2 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Operations Manager
    Apr 2023
    Far West & North Central NSW7 to 8 years in the role, current employee
    Has been great, but failures of governance and executive leadership has led to a radical and questionable downsizing process that has been poorly executed.
    The good thingsThere is a universal nonfaith/sectarian humanitarian purpose at its core (despite the Cross and Crescent references), that largely unites all people and parts of the organisation.
    The challengesCurrently undergoing a rapid restructuring and downsizing of the organisation called transformation. The why is well established, the what is not, the how is confusing and debilitating.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    First Aid Trainer
    Apr 2022
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    please don't take
    The good thingsgood students and venues
    The challengestoo many things to list. traveling several hours per day. rude bosses and staff. getting paid wrong alot of times. you will be micromanaged for the first 6 months. paying for own toll and parking etc. job is advertised constantly due to people leaving
    5 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Homeless Worker
    Apr 2022
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Glad to have escaped.
    The good thingsThe team members were so supportive and worked well together. Would create our own ways to connect and share information. Community members are worth it
    The challengesLeadership was toxic and demeaning.
    6 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Shop volunteer
    Jan 2022
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    I enjoy the 4hours I volunteer on a Tuesday and Friday and the sense of contributing to my community
    The good thingsAs I am a volunteer, management are supportive of my contribution and I gain personal satisfaction from interacting with other volunteers and the wider community
    The challengesAcknowledgement of the need in my community, that is often not acknowledged
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Store Supervisor
    Nov 2021
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    A Fulfilling Learning Experience
    The good thingsMaking customers happy and meeting our volunteers - new challenges, fascinating discoveries in the lovely donations we received, engaging with our young volunteers and seeing their confidence grow in a friendly, encouraging environment.
    The challengesHard physical work for me and my core crew due to lack of volunteers. Covid impacted everyone's priorities. Volunteership in 2020 became a hard commitment, due to studies or Covid restrictions.
    2 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Support Worker
    Dec 2020
    World wide community
    The good thingsThe people, being part of something so big, the diversity.
    The challengesSome things are slow and old fashioned.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Management
    Nov 2020
    A waste of time
    The good thingsInitial contact for opportunity
    The challengesManagement should follow their own company values after three interviews i was ghosted. Unprofessional and unwarranted
    14 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Volunteer Retail Assisant
    Oct 2020
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Not a friendly place to work
    The good thingsHelping customers, mostly easy-going volunteers
    The challengesBad manager, no support for volunteers, HR offer no support for volunteer store issues,
    8 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Retail Volunteer
    Sep 2020
    current employee
    Best time of my life
    The good thingsAmazing environment. Really fun staff, great communication across the board. Honestly spend most of my free time working at the store
    The challengesNo "challenges," however sometimes customer interactions may be a bit difficult, but that's not exclusive to the company. It is volunteer work, so no pay, however that didn't stop me from working 30+ hours a week last year when I was job searching
    5.0
    Customer Service Specialist
    Sep 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    responsive to local community needs and expectations
    The good thingsreliable and very social brand known to everyone
    The challengesthe challenges change everyday and you have to be prepared and have back up support
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Volunteer Support Officer
    Sep 2020
    current employee
    An excellent organisation to embrace humanity.
    The good thingsSupporting managers and staff
    The challengesLanguage barriers due to diversity of the community at large.
    2.0
    Community Liaison
    Jul 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Great clients. Shame about the HR processes
    The good thingsWorking with and helping vulnerable people and working with friendly volunteers
    The challengesHR tends to promote external applicants and not consider internal ones. Payroll keeps making errors with pay pay
    1 person found this helpful
    3.0
    Administration Officer
    Jul 2020
    reluctant to work for ARC again
    The good thingscultural diversity
    The challengesincompetent senior management lack of impartial HR staff
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Picker and Packer
    Mar 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    I had an enjoyable fun experience while working at a fast pace and learning new skills in a different organisation.
    The good thingsI found the other staff members that worked there to be very friendly and helpful and the managers were particularly helpful and understanding with new employees learning about the organisation and their job role. The culture was very fun and happy and the staff were always cheerful and kind.
    The challengesLearning my duties quickly so I could keep up with my work load. Very busy fast paced environment, there was always something to do.
    4.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    It's been a pleasure meeting and working with many different people from different walks of life and having the opportunity to be creative at work with shop displays.
    The good thingsGreat team of volunteers at the stores I've worked around Melbourne. Staff get 25% discount at the retail stores. Opportunity to be creative with shop displays and shop layout. Area managers are great to work with and care for the volunteers and staff.
    The challengesUpper management do little-nothing to help store managers and/or casuals with issues within stores regarding conflict and sometimes WHS issues.
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Receptionist and Administrator
    Mar 2020
    Working as a volunteer, I am enjoying my work and learning administrative skills from my senior administrator. I am keep on moving to the next level of my career.
    The good thingsI am working as a volunteer receptionist and administrator, so learning to adopt to work in a office environment.
    The challengesThere is no challenges still now.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Client Services Support Officer
    Mar 2020
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Good organisation that we can dream of.
    The good thingsGood working environment and salary packaging.
    The challengesI love a challenging job, if you have skills you can perform well.
    1 person found this helpful
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