As an Antarctic Medical Practitioner (AMP) you will provide complete generalist medical, surgical and emergency dental care for a remote community at an Australian Antarctic or sub-Antarctic station. AMPs also provide care during voyages and in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic field environments.
You will generally be the sole medical practitioner at the station. The AMP provides total health care services for 15 to 25 expeditioners over winter. This can increase to 120 during summer (October to March). There may be up to 130 passengers and crew on expedition voyages. AMPs are generally winter jobs (total employment 15–18 months, with time in Antarctica 10–15 months). Occasional shorter term appointments may be available as ship, summer station and field doctors, however wintering applicants are preferred.
The Australian Antarctic Program’s (AAP) vision is to ensure Antarctica is valued, protected and understood. Working with the AAP provides a unique opportunity to experience Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, while supporting world-leading science.
The AAP aims to support expeditioner growth, professionally and personally, with a focus on wellbeing. We strive to employ versatile, proactive and community minded people. Expeditioners will need to contribute to a small team and be resilient as they face the challenges of living in an isolated environment.
For more detailed information about the requirements of the role and the selection process, please see the job description document and link to more information on the application process below.
Employment conditions
- The annual base salary (while in Australia) is $146,251 to $213,284 per annum ($5,607 to $8,177 per fortnight before tax).
- Additional allowances totalling $65,341 per annum are payable while working in Antarctica.
- Further allowances for recognition of prior service and working a winter season may be payable (up to $13,338 per annum).
- You will also receive ACRRM accredited remote and Antarctic medicine training and professional development, medical indemnity and professional development support and opportunities for research and higher degrees in healthcare in remote and extreme environments. The AAD has developed, with the University of Tasmania (UTAS), the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments and higher awards.
- A generous employer superannuation contribution of up to 15.4% will be paid in addition to salary and allowances.
- You will accrue recreation leave at the equivalent of 20 days per annum pro rata. Please note that recreation leave is not available in Antarctica, but will be paid out on return to Australia.
Contact
For general enquiries, please use our contact form to speak to the Expeditioner Resourcing team.
For job specific (technical or trade related) enquiries, or to discuss the role in more detail, please email medicine@aad.gov.au.
Eligibility
You must be an Australian citizen, Australian resident with work rights in Australia, or a New Zealand citizen. Please note: Jobs requiring a security clearance are only open to Australian citizens. Applications from persons who are not Australian citizens will usually only be considered where there are no suitable Australian applicants.
In addition, these positions require medical registration in Australia which is administered through the Medical Board of Australia. Information on how to become registered in Australia can be found on the Medical Board of Australia website. If you are an International Medical Graduate, information on pathways to become registered in Australia can be found on the Australian Medical Council website.
Qualifications/licences (provide copies in your application):
- Unrestricted general or relevant specialist registration as a medical practitioner with the Medical Board of Australia
- Basic Medical qualification.
- A current, unrestricted “C” class (manual) Australian driver’s licence.
- Provide details of any suspensions, restrictions or other actions from relevant registering and professional bodies in Australia or in any other country.
- Certificate of Good Standing (where requested).
Recent hands-on experience
Typical successful applicants include rural and remote generalist practitioners or registrars, and some specialists with a background broad scope of practice or relevant upskilling (e.g. emergency physicians, anaesthetists, surgeons, physicians).
AMPs must have practical skills or be able to respond, where appropriate, in fields as detailed in the below job description.
