Antarctic jobs: 300+ roles open for tradies, scientists and chefs

From tradies to wildlife biologists, Australia's Antarctic stations need 300 brave souls willing to tackle life on the bottom of the Earth.

Antarctic expeditioner. Antarctic roles open for summer season workers. Picture: Australian Antarctic Division

Keen to live and work on the ice as part of Australia’s polar research program?

The Australian Antarctic Program has put out the call for tradies, chefs, wildlife biologists, and IT experts to fill more than 300 vacancies for the 2026/27 summer season.

Successful applicants will help run Australia’s three Antarctic scientific research stations at Davis, Mawson and Casey, on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, or on scientific voyages.

Expeditioners on RSV Nuyina arriving at Davis Station.

Casey Station leader, Andy Warton, said contracts ranging in length from four months to over a year were available for a wide variety of roles, within a tight-knit Antarctic community focused on furthering global knowledge about the frozen continent.

“Antarctica tests you — physically, mentally, emotionally, but the rewards are incredible,” Mr Warton said.

“It’s a once in a lifetime adventure. You’ll make friendships that last for decades, and you’ll see and experience things that you would have never imagined.

“The work is hard and the isolation takes some getting used to, but I feel an enormous amount of pride in being a part of Australia’s Antarctic mission.”

With the recruitment drive officially open, AAD director of expeditioner services, Gina Woodward, said the program was seeking technically proficient tradespeople and professionals – including electricians, carpenters, scientists and aviation specialists - who were well-suited to small community living.

Mechanic working. Antarctic roles open for summer season workers. Picture: Australian Antarctic Division

“There’s an extensive recruitment process to find the right candidates,” Ms Woodward said.

“This is an opportunity that most people can only dream of, to become an Australian Antarctic expeditioner. With that opportunity comes enormous responsibility.

“Our expeditioners help protect and understand an incredible part of the natural world – a landscape and marine environment unlike anything else on the planet.”

Applications to live and work in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic as part of the Australian Antarctic close on Sunday 16 November.

Full information about roles is available on the AAD website.

Originally published as Antarctic jobs: 300+ roles open for tradies, scientists and chefs