Curatorial Assistant

• Full-time, Non-Ongoing, APS 4 position
• $79,125 - $86,246 p.a. plus 15.4% superannuation
• Australia’s leading museum located waterside in beautiful Darling Harbour

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking a motivated and creative Curatorial Assistant to join the Knowledge team in a full-time, non-ongoing role for 12 months with the possibility of extension.

About the Australian National Maritime Museum
As one of Sydney’s most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire.

We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future.

The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at sea.museum.

About the Role
The Curatorial Assistant will work collaboratively and creatively to assist the Knowledge team with collections management and content production. This will include collections-focussed activities as well as research and development of interpretive content for inclusion in digital, display and print content, and administrative support for Knowledge team-led events and programs.

In the role, the Curatorial Assistant will play a supporting position on content related to the Museum’s Pillars as represented through the Knowledge team. These are Ocean Futures, Society and Water, Australia’s Role in the Indo Pacific, Migration and Social Cohesion and Maritime Archaeology, with First Nations perspectives threaded throughout all content produced. The Knowledge Team also includes Publications (Signals magazine) and the Vaughn Evans Library.

Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is non-ongoing, a merit pool of suitable applicants may be established to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the next 18 months.

Key Accountabilities
Under general direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:

• Assist in the coordination and delivery of Knowledge-team led events, such as symposia and public talks, providing administrative and logistical support.
• Support curators with research and documentation for the National Maritime Collection and research projects.
• Assist in the preparation of acquisition proposals and provide support in assessing submissions for maritime archaeology-related accessions into the National Maritime Collection, in line with the Museum’s Collection Development Policy and Protection of Cultural Objects on Loan (PCOL) protocols.
• Manage the collections@sea.museum email and maintain associated records, ensuring enquiries are responded to in a timely and accurate manner.
• Liaise with Digital and Social Media teams to support the coordination and publication of Knowledge team digital content.
• Assist in responding to offers of donation to the National Maritime Collection working collaboratively with curators to gather and record relevant information.
• Provide general curatorial and administrative support to the team and contribute to organisational initiatives as required.
• Work collaboratively with all business units and key stakeholders to support the promotion of the Museum’s products, services, exhibitions, collections, events and commercial activities through inspiring and engaging content on site and online.

Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:

• Demonstrated research skills, with experience contributing to research activities in museums, libraries, archives, community settings or similar environments.
• Sound organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated interest in maritime history or related subject areas, with a willingness to develop knowledge in this field.
• Well-developed communication skills, including the ability to write clearly for different audiences and contribute to a range of content and documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, contributing to the delivery of programs, projects or activities in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required
Mandatory:

• Tertiary qualifications in Museum Studies, History or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with digital and social media.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated understanding of exhibition and collection development policies, including PCOL and processes.
• Experience with database systems, such as TMS.
• Experience developing or delivering events.
• Demonstrated awareness of sensitivities of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or collections.
• Familiarity with or ability to use archival record keeping systems, such as ELO.
• Current NSW driver’s licence.

When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please provide a written application addressing each Selection Criteria. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.
In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.

Applications Close: 11:30pm AEST, Sunday 26 April 2026. No applications will be accepted by mail or email.

Selection for this position will be made on the basis of relative merit which will be assessed against each item of the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for shortlisting by the Selection Panel. As part of the selection process the Selection Panel may invite candidates to undertake online testing, skills-based assessment and provide samples of written work at interview.

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we welcome and encourage applications from people with disability, the LGBTIQ+ communities, from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen. Applications may be accepted from Australian permanent residents who are in the process of acquiring Australian citizenship. All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check registration.

What We Offer You
Working at the Museum offers a stunning office location plus access to a range of benefits including:

• A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation
• Generous leave and flexible working arrangements
• Great training and development opportunities
• Rewards and recognition initiatives
• Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP – a free counselling service for you and your family).
• Wellbeing initiatives including free flu shots and reimbursement for optical
• Staff Regatta – Sailing on the Harbour.

RecuitAbility
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: RecruitAbility | Australian Public Service Commission (https://apsc.gov.au)

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