Antarctica jobs: Aussie adventurers wanted to relocate for ‘competitive’ salary plus $65k allowance

Jobs supporting science on the stunning icy vistas of Antarctica are currently being offered to Aussies with varying levels of experience who are willing to relocate.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience working with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) comes with a “competitive salary” plus allowances up to $65,000, superannuation, and the opportunity to make lifelong friends during the 12-month placements.

Those people who score the jobs also have accommodation and travel, and meals while travelling, covered within their remuneration package.

“Around work commitments, you can explore near your station. You may also get the chance to travel to outlying huts, wildlife colonies and areas of special interest,” BOM said.

But the roles are not for the fainthearted — living in a remote and isolated environment, while working in a small team, requires resilience.

Josh Carey, who has an engineering background, joined the Bureau of Meteorology in Antarctica as a technical officer and works with equipment at Davis Station to collect year-round weather data.

“If you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime, then I highly recommend you apply,” Carey said in a video about the job on YouTube.

The jobs and their salary offers

The jobs on offer are for placements at Casey, Davis and Mawson stations. There are also positions on Macquarie Island, on the bureau’s subantarctic station.

“We’re looking for adventurers with different levels of experience to join our Antarctic team,” BOM said

There are full-time roles on offer for an Antarctic meteorologist, a senior Antarctic meteorologist, and technical officers for a level 2 position, a level 3 position and a level 4 position.

Applications for the meteorologist jobs close on January 31, while applications for the technical officer positions close on January 19.

Applicants for the level 3 and 4 technical officer roles need to have a Certificate III or IV, or an associate diploma in a technical role such as electrical trades, electrotechnology, control and instrumentation, engineering, or applied science.

Workers hired as a technical officer will also be on a seven-day roster.

The Antarctic meteorologist job is offering successful candidates a salary between $90,199 and $101,022.

The senior Antarctic meteorologist job is offering successful candidates between $110,115 and $120,760.

For the technical officer roles, the level 2 position offers a salary between $63,907 and $69,991, level 3 offers a salary between $80,341 and $87,572, and level 4 offers a salary between $90,199 and $101,022.

“Our roles support the scientific work of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). They also contribute to weather, marine and space weather information for Australia,” BOM said.

“Our teams perform year-round observations and equipment maintenance. They contribute to global data collection, and climate monitoring in the region.”

Assignments in Antarctica usually span between 12 months and 16 months.

The expeditions follow preparation and training in Hobart and Melbourne, which can take four to six months and involve building technical competencies.