Inside life at Antarctica's Casey Station as AAD seeks new workers
Applications are open for a very unique job offering a six-figure salary, on-site gym and even minigolf - there is just one catch.
An expeditioner has provided a glimpse into the “incredible” life at one of the world’s most remote worksites – Antarctica.
Andy Warton, originally from the Northern Territory, embarked on a journey southbound in March and spent the winter working for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) with 33 others.
The 54-year-old will be leaving his role as the Casey Station leader in a few weeks, and with the job deadline for the next intake fast approaching on November 16, is encouraging others to apply for the “next-level” experience.
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Mr Warton has years of experience working in emergency services, serving as the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner.
When the job ad came up a few years ago it caught his eye because he was “looking for a different leadership experience”.
“It’s one of those things where you do your research, and you look at the websites, and you speak to people who have done it before and you educate yourself, but it’s not until you do it that you realise just how completely unique it is,” he told news.com.au.
“In terms of the actual environment, what you see down here is next level – it’s like walking through a David Attenborough documentary.”
The day-to-day as an expeditioner at Casey Station revolves around routine, he said.
Workers – including medical practitioners, aircraft officers, electricians, biologists, communications officers, drill technicians and engineers – will have meals at the same time and participate in the same station meeting every week, to ensure the “self-sufficient village” remains up and running.
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Contracts are available from four months to a year across a range of trades and specialist roles, for positions across Australia’s three scientific research stations, Davis, Mawson and Casey.
For a station leader role such as Mr Warton’s, the annual base salary when in Australia starts from $147,594 per annum.
When in Antarctica, base salary and additional allowances starts from $218,131 per annum.
Rostering depends on the individual job function, Mr Warton added.
“At the end of the day, you do what you do in Antarctica when it needs to be done,” he said.
“I come from a background in emergency services and an overseas police service where I’ve been witness to and part of the response to lots of natural disasters, so I’ve seen Mother Nature at what I thought at her worst.
“One of the blizzards in particular that we had down here in August, coming out of the depths of winter, we had winds that exceeded 200 plus kilometres an hour.”
Mr Warton said the team was confined inside for a “long period of time”, and when venturing out, had to use “special ropes” to avoid being blown over.
To maintain a healthy work-life balance, expeditioners are able to use recreational facilities, such as gyms, in their spare time.
Community activities such as mini golf, trivia and a midwinter swim are also common.
“I think probably something worth noting as well when it comes to recruitment – you might think that you’re good to go, and the division might think you’re the right fit, but you’ve got to talk to your family and loved ones around whether this suits them as well because it can be a long time away from home,” Mr Warton said.
“If you’ve got an interest in doing this, give it a go.
“The AAD will work out whether you’re a fit or not and even if you don’t get in the first time, there are plenty of expeditioners that will have multiple applications over the years.
If you really want to do it, like anything in life, just keep persisting.”
Applications for the 2026/27 season of the Australian Antarctic Program close at 11.30pm, November 16.
AAD Director of Expeditioner Services Gina Woodward said it is not too late to apply, urging anyone who has been thinking about signing up to send in their application.
“This is an opportunity that most people can only dream of, to become an Australian Antarctic expeditioner. With that opportunity comes enormous responsibility,” she said.
“This week could be the most important week of your life – deciding to apply to become an Antarctic expeditioner.
“A chance to live and work in an incredible part of the natural world in a small and supportive community among a landscape and marine environment unlike anything else on the planet.”
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Originally published as Inside life at Antarctica's Casey Station as AAD seeks new workers
