Plant Operator
- The annual base salary (while in Australia) is $79,328 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $152,264 per annum.
- 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.
As a Plant Operator, you will operate and maintain a variety of heavy plant and equipment that support critical construction and maintenance projects across Australia's Antarctic and subantarctic stations.
Plant Operators are employed at all three Antarctic stations, Casey, Davis and Mawson, as well as the subantarctic station, Macquarie Island. Most opportunities are available during the summer season, when station activity is at its peak, with occasional opportunities available during the winter season.
Senior Plant Operator
- The annual base salary (while in Australia) is $89,076 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $162,012 per annum.
- 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.
A Senior Plant Operator will be selected from the group of suitable Plant Operator or Mobile Crane Operator candidates. As the Senior Plant Operator, you will lead a team of Plant Operators, ensuring safe and efficient delivery of construction, maintenance and operational activities across station projects. Reporting to the Station Trades Supervisor, you will coordinate daily work plans, schedule and prioritise tasks, and provide clear direction and support to your team.
Mobile Crane Operator
- The annual base salary (while in Australia) is $79,328 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $152,264 per annum.
- 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.
As a Mobile Crane Operator with the Australian Antarctic Division, you will play a vital role in supporting station operations, infrastructure projects, and cargo resupply activities in one of the world's most unique and challenging environments. Your primary responsibility will be operating mobile cranes to assist with construction, maintenance, and logistics tasks across Antarctic stations. Depending on your skills, experience, and additional competencies, you may also have opportunities to operate a variety of other construction and mobile plant and equipment.
All of these positions are designated as performing Safety Sensitive Aviation Activities (SSAA) under the organisation’s Aviation Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP) and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR Part 99). As a condition of employment, employees performing SSAA are required to comply with all applicable drug and alcohol management requirements
What we are looking for
Essential
To apply for this role, you must have the skills and licences listed below:
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- White Card (issued after May 2009).
- Driver’s Licence – A valid, unrestricted Heavy Rigid (HR) licence.
- Citizenship – In accordance with the PS Act 1999, APS employees are required to be Australian citizens. Persons who are not Australian citizens will generally only be considered where there are no suitable Australian applicants, with next considerations being Australian residents with work rights and New Zealand citizens.
- Mobile Crane Operator only - High-Risk Work Licence - A valid High-Risk Licence - C6(minimum)
Obtain prior to commencement:
- Valid Passport – The expiry date of the passport (and any relevant visa) must be at least 6 months beyond the planned end date of your intended stay in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic
- Provide First Aid (HLTAID0011) must be valid for at least 18 months beyond the date of commencement
- Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010) must be valid for at least 18 months beyond the date of commencement
- Provide CPR (HLTAID009) must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of commencement
- Mobile Crane Operator only - Heavy Rigid Driver's Licence - A valid, unrestricted Heavy Rigid (HR) licence.
Knowledge and experience
Plant Operator/Senior Plant Operator
- Recent hands-on plant operation experience
Mobile Crane Operator
- Recent mobile crane operation experience (within the last 5 years)
Desirable
These are not essential to the role, however, to be suitable you will need to have at least some of these. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the requirements
Knowledge and experience
- Plant Operator/Senior Plant Operator
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- Any licences or certificates of competency relevant to the plant and equipment listed below; and/or
- Completed units of competency included in training package RII30815 - Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years):
- Rough terrain cranes up to 45 tonnes (e.g. Grove, RT530E, RT540E & RT650E)
- Loaders (e.g. CAT 950F, IT62G/H, 966G/H)
- Bulldozers (e.g. CAT D6D, D6R/M, D7R)
- Multi Terrain Loaders (e.g. Cat 257B, 297C)
- Trucks rigid and articulated (e.g. Moxy, Isuzu NPS series)
- Tracked Agricultural Tractors (e.g. Cat MT865B, Case STX485)
- Air track drilling rigs (e.g. Atlas Copco ROC442)
- Telescopic Material Handlers (e.g. JCB 531/70 Loadall)
- Rock crushers (e.g. Komatsu BR380)
- Excavators (e.g. CAT 329D, 336D, Hitatchi ZX50U)
- Rock breakers (e.g. NPK, Rammer)
- Elevated Work Platforms (e.g. JLG 510AJ)
- High Risk Work Licence
- Routine maintenance and services on plant as required
- Mobile Crane Operator
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- Any licences, certificates of competency, or similar endorsements relevant to the operation of the following plant and equipment:
- Completed units of competency included in training package RII30815 - Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years):
- Loaders (e.g. CAT 950F, IT62G/H, 966G/H)
- Bulldozers (e.g. CAT D6D, D6R/M, D7R)
- Multi Terrain Loaders (e.g. Cat 257B, 297C)
- Trucks rigid and articulated (e.g. Moxy, Isuzu NPS series)
- Tracked Agricultural Tractors (e.g. Cat MT865B, Case STX485)
- Air track drilling rigs (e.g. Atlas Copco ROC442)
- Telescopic Material Handlers (e.g. JCB 531/70 Loadall)
- Rock crushers (e.g. Komatsu BR380)
- Excavators (e.g. CAT 329D, 336D, Hitatchi ZX50U)
- Rock breakers (e.g. NPK, Rammer)
- Elevated Work Platforms (e.g. JLG 510AJ)
- Routine maintenance and services on plant as required
Contact
For general enquiries, please email the Hays Expeditioner Recruitment Team at antarctica@hays.com.au.
For job specific (technical or trade related) enquiries, or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Hays at antarctica@hays.com.au.
