Assistant Conservator – National Museum of Australia
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0771058
- Agency: National Museum of Australia
- Job Title: Assistant Conservator
- Position Number: Various
- Classification: APS Level 4
- Closing Date: Sunday 02 August 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing;Non-Ongoing
- Location: Canberra ACT
- Future Merit Locations: Canberra
- Salary: $79,125 – $86,246
- Office Arrangement: Flexible (To be negotiated on commencement)
About National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia is recognised at home and around the world as the place where the story of Australia comes
alive. The Museum is the only institution equipped to tell the complex and comprehensive story of Australia from 65,000 years ago
to the present day. The story of Australia is a remarkable one, from the ancient and enduring histories of the world’s oldest living
cultures to the achievements of modern Australia. It is a story that is ever evolving and growing – and it is a story for a nation and
for the world. Our vision and mission • The Museum inspires, challenges and empowers people to find their voice and place in the
world. • We strive to build a just and equitable society that honours and respects the First Nations peoples of this continent and all
who have come after. • We collect, document, research and make accessible heritage collections that represent the diversity of
experience in Australia. • We engage with audiences physically and digitally to promote learning, dialogue and debate about our
past, present and future. • We promote collaborative work across the breadth of artistic and creative practice to enhance the
cultural life of our nation. • We value and respect the commitment and contribution of all who participate in and contribute to the
Museum’s community. • The National Museum of Australia brings to life the rich and diverse stories of Australia through compelling
objects, ideas and events. For more information, visit the NMA website.
Duties
- Key accountabilities
- Assistant Conservators are part of a diverse team, reporting to a Senior Conservator or Manager
- in a busy and dynamic environment. These roles will involve developing skills and working across
- all types of materials and a wide range of activities associated with exhibitions, collections care,
- and maintenance of the lab and equipment.
- The roles facilitate varied conservation activities including condition reporting, pest and hazard
- assessments, interventive conservation treatments, preventive conservation and hazard
- management programs, preparation of objects for display, gallery maintenance, exhibition installs
- and de-installs, mount assessments and preparation, storage and collection rehousing activities.
- There will also be opportunities to participate in public programs, respond to occasional public and
- sector enquiries, and work on collaborative projects within the sector. Assistant conservators also
- represent their team at meetings where appropriate and may occasionally travel domestically and
- internationally to support touring exhibitions and remote collection work.
- The positions entail working closely with conservation, registration and curatorial colleagues and a
- broad range of internal stakeholders across the organisation, as well as external stakeholders,
- volunteers and contractors on a variety of collection matters.
Eligibility / Notes
- To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen
- undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police record check
- hold or be eligible to hold a security clearance at the level specified in the position
- description.
- The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace. Aboriginal and
- Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to
- apply for roles at the Museum.
- RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under RecruitAbility you will be invited to participate in
- further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under RecruitAbility; declare you
- have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position.
- The National Museum of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly
- environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for, these
- principles, in theory and practice.
How to Apply
Applicants must include a two-page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against
the essential skills, experience and qualifications defined in the position description with
their application. Applicants must also provide a current CV and contact details for two
referees.
Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 02 August 2026.
Visit https://www.nma.gov.au/about/employment and apply online.
Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. If you require, or would
like to discuss reasonable adjustments, please contact the Contact Officer for this position.
Indigenous job seekers are encouraged to apply for this vacancy. If the job is ‘Identified’, then part or all of the duties impact on
Indigenous Australian communities or their representatives.