The Australian Antarctic Division needs highly-skilled and passionate people to support Australia’s activities on the icy continent.

Expeditioners walk the surrounding areas of Mawson research station. Photo: Matt Williams

General information

The Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) is led by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), based in Kingston, Tasmania. The AAD is part of the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Australia has 3 research stations in Antarctica – Casey, Davis and Mawson – and one on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Each station is similar to a small town with a diverse and dedicated workforce of station leaders, tradespeople, scientists, doctors, chefs and communications experts. Expeditioners are supported by AAD staff based in Hobart, experienced in Antarctic policy, law, operations, medicine and science.

Antarctic expeditioners need to be comfortable with their decision to leave their home, family and friends to live and work in Antarctica. Separation can be challenging for expeditioners and those who remain at home. The AAD has developed a Separation Guide PDF to help people understand and manage the demands of an extended period of separation from family and friends.

The selection process

Applications for the expeditioner roles for the 2025–26 AAP commences 20 November 2024.

The selection process can take up to 8 months to complete. Due to the unique nature of deployment, the process is comprehensive and will include a written application, medical checklist, technical interview, personal qualities assessment, and medical and psychological assessments.

A personal qualities assessment may be a 24 hour in-person assessment centre, an 8 hour virtual assessment centre or a behavioural interview.

Recruitment timeline for AAP 2025–26

Written application: November 2024 to December 2024. Please note some roles have different closing dates, which may be in November or December.

Shortlisting: November 2024 to February 2025

Medical checklist: December 2024 to March 2025

Technical interviews: March 2025

Assessment Centre (including virtual): End of March to early June 2025

Medical & adaptability (psychological) screening: End of November 2024 to middle of August 2025

Reference checks: March to June 2025

Police checks: End of November 2024 to middle of August 2025

Offers commence: Early June 2025

Important information

We will be in touch throughout the process via email. Please make sure you check your spam folder in case our communications end up here.

You can generally expect emails to come from our recruitment provider Hays: antarctica@hays.com.au.

Login to the DCCEEW jobs portal to continue working on an incomplete application, or check the progress of a submitted application.

Selection criteria

It is important you read the position description to understand the requirements and duties of the role.

Within the position’s technical requirements, you must have the essential skills and licences specified to be selected for the role. It is important to clearly state in your online application how you meet the essential skills and attach copies of all licenses and qualifications.

Some jobs also list ‘highly desirable’ and/or ‘desirable’ requirements and having some or all of these may make you more competitive for a job. If you don’t have them (or only have a few), but meet the essential requirements, we still encourage you to apply.

Personal Qualities criteria and other requirements such as security clearances are assessed at a later stage in the recruitment process.

Frequently asked questions

How long will it take me to complete my online application?

Generally, between 45 and 90 minutes.

Do I have to be an Australian citizen?

In accordance with the PS Act 1999, Australian Public Service (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.

Please note: Senior communications technical officer, Communications technical officer and Information technology officer roles require a security clearance which is only available to Australian citizens.

I am an Australian citizen located overseas – am I eligible to apply?

Yes, your application is most welcome. You will need to be available to participate in the necessary screening steps outlined above.

Any costs incurred in travelling to Australia to participate in any of these steps will be at your own expense.

If you are required to undergo a medical assessment while overseas, you will have to cover the upfront costs, which can be up to $2000. There may also be long wait times for the results. You will be eligible to a reimbursement.

What is involved in a Psychological (Adaptability) Assessment?

All prospective participants in the Australian Antarctic Program who deploy for a period of 3 months or longer, or who will be in a deep field environment for any duration, are required to complete a Psychological (Adaptability) Assessment. On occasion, Assessments may be required outside of these conditions and this will be communicated directly with prospective AAP expeditioners.

The intent of the Psychological (Adaptability) Assessment is to assess the individual’s ability to effectively adapt and respond to the unique demands of living and working on an Antarctic or sub-Antarctic research station, on voyage, or in an Antarctic field camp for an extended period of time.

There are two components to the assessment – the completion of an online personality questionnaire and an individual interview with a registered psychologist. The assessment will be organised by the AAD’s organisational psychology team. Enquiries about the assessment should be directed to psychologyHR@aad.gov.au.

Am I too old?

There is no age restriction for expeditioner roles but applicants must pass a comprehensive medical assessment.

How long will I be employed for?

This depends on whether you are a summer or winter expeditioner, but generally between 4 and 15 months. The length of your employment will include a period of pre-departure training in Hobart, which is mandatory and can take between 2 and 10 weeks to complete.

Summer expeditioners usually start work in September or October and are employed for between 4 and 6 months, and will return to Australia in March or April the following year.

Winter expeditioners start dates vary depending on which station you go to. If you are employed at Casey or Davis you can expect to depart Hobart in October or November, returning approximately 12 months later. If you are employed at Mawson or Macquarie Island, you will generally depart Hobart in March or April and return around the same time the following year. Start dates for expeditioners employed at either of these two stations may be as early as November. Expeditioners employed in winter jobs will complete both a winter and summer season in Antarctica.

When completing your application, you will be asked to indicate your station preferences in order of most preferred to least.

Are there roles available as a nurse or other medical professional?

Each station has a qualified medical practitioner who provides complete medical, surgical and dental care, including aviation and maritime medicine. We do not employ nurses, paramedics, psychologists or other health professions.

I am a returning expeditioner; do I need to follow the same process?

Please apply for any role you are interested in through the normal process. If you have been in a particular role within the last 3 seasons (similar to the fast-track process) you will not need to complete selection criteria but will need to update all of your documentation including your CV and will need to complete another medical checklist.

I applied in the last 3 years – am I required to attend an assessment centre again?

As part of the application process, you may be required to participate in an assessment centre.

AAP Vaccination Requirements

All AAP participants (excluding round-trip aircrew and ship’s crew) will be required to have a COVID-19 vaccination or, have had a medically documented COVID-19 infection prior to deployment.

How can I find out more?

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