Applications open for Australians to live and work in Antarctica

Australians with a sense of adventure and a tolerance for low temperatures are being invited to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work in the coolest place on earth.

Anyone who wants to work in the coolest place on earth is in luck, with recruitment now open for the Australian Antarctic Program’s 2025/26 season.

More than 200 positions are available across a diverse range of roles, including tradies, chefs and IT experts, providing the unmissable opportunity to live and work on the icy continent.

“This is an opportunity that most people can only dream of, a once-in-a-lifetime

adventure,” Casey Station leader Dani Yannopolous said.

“The wildlife and the scenery are unbelievable, but the friendships formed and the sense of

community on station is what stays with people for a lifetime.”

Matt Boylen, a carpenter from Melbourne, is in his second season working at Davis Station in Antarctica. Picture: Australian Antarctic Division

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

For Greensborough carpenter Matt Boylen, Antarctica offered an unmissable chance to break from the norm.

“After hearing all my dad’s travel stories from when he was younger, I wanted to do something challenging and adventurous, and I wanted to do more than just carpentry,” Mr Boylen said.

“My family and friends were just excited as I was and were always asking for more photos and videos.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to explore places not many people will ever get to see, and you get to live there and be paid for it all.”

Mr Boylen said the opportunity to explore the road less travelled was a key part of what motivated him to apply for a job in Antarctica. Picture: Australian Antarctic Division

The job is not for the faint hearted, with distance from family just one of the challenges to overcome.

Harsh winds and punishing temperatures, not to mention weeks without daylight during winter, are some of the other hurdles successful applicants have to contend with.

“There’s a pretty heavy assessment process to get through,” Australian Antarctic Division Expeditioner Services director Gina Woodward said.

“Especially in the winter, when there may be only 20 people living in a station together, there’s a lot of feelings and emotions when people have been away from their families for a really long time.

“Emotional intelligence is pretty important.”

Despite the challenging conditions, Ms Woodward estimated yearly intakes consisted of 40-45 per cent return workers, demonstrating the Antarctic bug is tough to shake.

Applications to live and work in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic as part of the Australian Antarctic Program close either in December 2024 or January 2025.

For more information and to apply, go to www.jobs.antarctica.gov.au/jobs-in-antarctica/

Originally published as Applications open for Australians to live and work in Antarctica