Mawson expeditioners proudly wearing their bespoke beanies. Photo: Leon Hamilton

Conditions of employment

The AAD generally meets the cost of:

  • Airfares to and from Hobart, and in some cases a pre-deployment reunion travel entitlement may also apply
  • Accommodation in Hobart, and transport between your accommodation and the AAD (usually by bus)
  • A daily Antarctic Expeditioner Expense Allowance* when staying in Hobart
  • Transport of your personal cargo to Hobart, south to your station and return to your home location. For winter expeditioners this includes up 1 cubic metre (up to 250 kg) of personal goods and for summer expeditioners up to 50 kg (this may vary depending on airline).
  • Storage of household goods and a motor vehicle (determined on a case-by-case basis)*

*Conditions on expense allowances apply

Working hours in Antarctica:

Antarctic expeditioners are regularly required to undertake additional hours beyond the public service average of 37.5 hours per week. Due to the nature of work, there is a business need to ensure our stations are supported 24 hours-per-day, seven days-per-week (24/7). Operational requirements mean expeditioners will also be required to work reasonable additional hours (including weekend work), in accordance with section 62(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) throughout their employment with the AAD. An allowance in lieu of overtime is paid to AAD expeditioners.

Expeditioners typically work Monday to Friday and up to 4 hours on Saturday morning. Beyond this, you may be required to undertake reasonable additional hours to support the achievement of our operational objectives and the community needs. This may relate to callouts, powerhouse issues, resupply, fuel transfers, emergency response, community duties and training. AAD employees receive a range of allowances designed to compensate expeditioners for the unique working environment including a Common Duties Allowance and an Antarctic Allowance, noted in the DCCEEW Enterprise Agreement.

There may be a requirement for expeditioners to undertake differing work hours based on specific station and operational requirements. The Station Leader will discuss this with the affected work area and expeditioners with a view to maintaining an appropriate arrangement. Hours of work will be

managed consistent with the ‘AAD Fatigue Management Standard’. With the approval of the Station Leader or Supervisor, expeditioners may be given additional time off to help manage fatigue or undertake travel off-station when they have worked a significant number of hours beyond the normal expectations outlined above.

Employees working in Antarctica, or on a voyage departing from or terminating in Hobart, will observe Hobart Public Holidays. There may be occasions when expeditioners will be required to work on Public Holidays days for operational reasons. In this case the station/field/voyage leader will work with expeditioners to identify another day that that can be substituted as the Public Holiday.

Working conditions – special considerations

Due to the nature of the physical environment:

  • You may need to work outside in cold and dry conditions (as low as −45 °C); or cold and wet conditions.
  • There is an increased risk of exposure to both high and low solar ultraviolet radiation, slip hazards in continental Antarctica, muscular skeletal-type injuries on Macquarie Island, and exposure to noise that may exceed recommended exposure limits (generated by aircraft and plant).

Remote and isolated community living comes with:

  • Limited sophistication of medical support
  • Limited scope for medical evacuation – if possible evacuation is likely to be delayed and prolonged
  • Stressors of close communal living
  • Limited external communications for ship, field and traverse based expeditioners

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Antarctica?

Expeditioners travel to Antarctica and Macquarie Island via ship or plane. The mode of transport will depend on the station you are going to and AAD operational requirements.

Access to stations is only possible from October to March. It is not possible to return to Australia during the winter months.

What are the living quarters like?

The living quarters at Australia’s stations are comfortable and functional. They are insulated and strengthened to withstand low temperatures and strong winds. Read more about station amenities.

On station expeditioners will have their own bedroom and shared bathroom facilities in the living quarters or the “red shed”. There may be occasions when people are required to share. When travelling on the ship, you should expect to share a cabin with other expeditioners.

What clothes and personal items do I have to take?

The AAD provides an Antarctic clothing kit and equipment tailored for your expedition length, role and occupation, including trade-specific Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

You will need to bring your own clothing to wear indoors. Station buildings are heated to around 19 degrees. Ensure you pack some casual clothing such as jeans, shorts, tracksuits, T-shirts and jumpers. You may also want to pack gym gear, plus clothing for fancy dress/special occasions. Take sneakers, slippers or ‘ugg’ boots to wear indoors. Outdoor boots are not permitted inside.

Basic toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and conditioner, menstrual products, shaving cream and razor blades are provided on station. If you prefer to use your own brands, you should take your own supplies.

What will I eat?

Food on station is prepared by a qualified chef. We cater for special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten and dairy intolerance. Emphasis is placed on providing a balanced nutritional diet.

Eggs and fresh vegetables are available for the first few months after resupply. Limited hydroponics produce is also grown at each station and training for maintaining these facilities is provided to the wintering team.

Will I have the opportunity to ‘explore’ Antarctica?

While work will take priority, opportunities for recreational trips may arise.

Participation in outdoor recreational activities is great for expeditioners health, fitness and wellbeing. However, the range of activities available on station is limited due to the nature of the environment. In particular adventure or ‘extreme’ activities, where consequences are potentially serious, are not permitted.

Prior to departure from Australia, all expeditioners should familiarise themselves with the Outdoor Recreation Policy.

What will I do after work?

Each station has a library, theatrette, AV equipment and some communal band instruments (eg. drum kit, bass, electric guitars and keyboard).

There’s a range of recreational equipment including a spa and sauna, gym, pool tables, table tennis, volleyball equipment, board games and darts.

Some outdoor sports equipment such as cross-country skis and boots may also be available. Safety inductions are required for some recreational facilities and equipment.

Expeditioners also spend time out of work, undertaking their own housework and help out with station duties. This may include assisting in the kitchen, garbage clearance, and general cleaning.

Is there any hobby equipment?

Small tools (powered and unpowered) are available for expeditioners to use for hobbies. The use of these tools is subject to permission from the workshop supervisors, who need to ensure your safety and the maintenance equipment.

Where a station has an established hobby hut, only the tools in those huts may be used for this purpose. Be aware that wood taken south for craftwork and then returned to Australia will be subject to quarantine inspection and treatment if necessary.

Who will I be working with?

There is a diverse range of people on station undertaking a wide variety of projects. This may include Australian and international scientists, members of international Antarctic programs, tradies, chefs, arts fellows, meteorologists and other expeditioners.

How cold is it?

At Casey, Davis and Mawson:

  • In the peak of summer in January, average temperatures range between −3 °C and +3 °C. Between October and April, the temperature ranges between −16 °C and −8 °C. The warmest recorded temperature is +13.0 °C at Davis station.
  • In winter between April and October, average temperatures range between −20 °C and −10 °C. The coldest recorded temperature is −41.8 °C at Davis station.

Although more frequent in winter, low temperatures and frequent blizzards can occur at any time of year.

On Macquarie Island it is wet and windy year-round. Average temperatures range between +2 °C and +9 °C. The record minimum temperature is −9.4 °C and maximum is +14.4 °C.

How can I contact home?

Email and phone will be your main communication options, or messaging apps such as Messenger or WhatsApp, which should be installed prior to departure.

Mail can be sent over the summer period to expeditioners through Australia Post or other couriers. Mail is consolidated for each station at AAD’s head office then sent on available ships or planes, subject to payloads and weather conditions. Mail articles are limited to envelopes, postcards and small parcels and packages with a maximum weight of 1 kg, and a maximum size of a standard shoe box. More information on sending mail can be found on the website.

How might the time away affect my family and friends?

Being an expeditioner can be an immensely rewarding, but sometimes challenging experience. Just like your physical health, it is important that you look after your psychological health and wellbeing, and that of your loved ones at home.

Living and working in isolated and remote environments, being separated from family and friends, and not having access to normal support networks can be a stressor for expeditioners. A range of resources are available to support all AAP expeditioners.

The Separation Guide provides information to help you prepare for, and manage the demands of a period of extended separation from family and friends.

What is internet access like down south?

Adjusting from fast Australian internet to a limited bandwidth satellite connection can be a challenging part of adapting to station life.

The network is a government resource, so there are restrictions on some website access. Adult content will be blocked and online gaming is not allowed over the satellite links. Certain cloud services and applications such as Dropbox/Google Drive and TikTok are blocked and inaccessible on station as they are a security threat on a government network. ICT staff can assist if you need to send or share files.

Streaming music or video services such as Spotify, Netflix and Skype, are restricted in the amount of bandwidth they can use, so other services aren’t impacted.

How can I find out more?

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