Aussies needed to work in Antarctica with some positions paying $150k

An urgent call has gone out for adventurous Aussies to work at Australia’s Antarctic bases with the roles offering huge salaries for those willing to put up with the cold.

The Australian Antarctic Program has more than 150  positions up for grabs working at research stations down south for between four and 12 months.

Chefs, supply officers, station leaders, electricians, carpenters and information technology officers are among the 32 different roles on offer at Davis, Mawson and Casey research stations, along with Macquarie Island. 

Wages are good, you get to learn new skills, explore the last great wilderness on earth – and you also get a special $65,341 per year allowance paid on top of your base wage while working in Antarctica.

For example, a carpenter will earn a base salary of up to $79,801 a year – plus an additional $65,341 per year allowance. 

Meanwhile a chef would take in a base salary of $79,801 a year, along with an allowance of $65,341. 

All rent and board is free at the four bases where chefs prepare your meals for you, but be prepared to endure temperatures plummeting to  -57C in the coldest months.

An urgent call has gone out for adventurous tradies to work at Australia’s Antarctic bases

 

 

Australian Antarctic Division organisational psychologist and recruitment specialist Maree Riley said it’s a workplace like no other.

‘Antarctica holds such curiosity for people and this is an opportunity to work in the coldest and most remote continent on earth to support Australia’s climate and ocean science,’ Ms Riley said.

‘Our Antarctic research informs global policy on climate change and ecosystem management and the people who keep our stations running are a critical part of that effort.’

‘Teams live closely for months at a time and so recruiting the right community-minded people is important, including the personal qualities that people must embody to be considered for the AAP.’

‘We’re looking for a range of skill sets, backgrounds and genders to perform these important support roles and want to hear from anyone who thinks they can make a positive contribution,’ Ms Riley said.

All successful applicants are required to undergo an assessment of their personal qualities as well as extensive medical and psychological assessments prior to deployment

On top of qualifications and experience expeditioners should be versatile, proactive, community-minded and flexible

One of the roles being currently recruited is station support staff who get paid $68,000 a year, plus a $63,000 remote bonus. The work involves cleaning, kitchen work and housekeeping

One of the main roles being recruited is station mechanical supervisor, who manages the station mechanical section’s operations

Mechanical tradies are being recruited too, to maintain and operate mechanical plant and equipment, maintain and operate the station power generation facilities and to work outside in freezing conditions

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