Cairns Aquarium & Reef Research Centre Pty Ltd – Cairns QLD

The Cairns Aquarium is a world class tourist attraction right in the Cairns City Centre which enables people to see and interact with the incredible plants, fish, animals and habitats found only in Australia’s Wet Tropics, a region which borders two Heritage listed environments, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. With 16,000 fish and aquatic animals onsite within 71 live exhibits, the Cairns Aquarium strives to protect and conserve biodiversity by educating people about the unique creatures in Tropical North Queensland’s protected ecosystems.

The Position

Cairns Aquarium is seeking a suitably qualified person to join our Curatorial team as an Aquarist on a Full time basis. Experienced Aquarists encouraged to apply.

The position is a hands-on role, where you will not only carry out general cleaning/feeding diving duties (within our exhibits) but also carry out general aquarist duties, caring for and maintaining our biggest asset, our aquatic organisms and their exhibits.

You will be surrounded by aquatic fish and animal’s day in, day out.You will work in all elements of animal husbandry, including research and education. This role requires physical fitness and the ability to work and dive underwater, work in small confined spaces, lift heavy objects, walk and stand for long periods of time. Repetitive movements also include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching.

The Successful Candidate

You are energetic, positive,



focused and have a genuine love and knowledge of marine and terrestrial environments.The ideal candidate will display a positive, proactive attitude and be able to willingly invest extra effort when required, with proven ability to work hands on as part of a team or individually as required. The ideal candidate must have the ability to maintain courteous manner, be flexible and solve problems under a variety of circumstances and provide excellent customer service. This role is physical and requires the incumbent to be very physically fit.

Minimum PADI RTO accredited Rescue Diver certification (Dive master or higher dive qualifications preferred)

Commercial Dive Medical AS2299, with min 6 months validity, or ability to obtain.

Senior First Aid (HLTAID011), CPR (HLTAID009) and O2 (HLTAID015), with min 6 months validity, or ability to obtain.

Qualification relating to biology, zoology or related discipline and / or industry experience (including volunteer/work experience) in an Aquarium or Captive Animal setting.

Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

Ability to absorb information and excellent communication skills, written and verbal.

Ability to accept responsibility and work under pressure in emergency situations and work well under stress dealing with live animals.

Knowledge and/or experience in the husbandry of aquatic animals.

Knowledge and/or experience with life support equipment, application, operation and maintenance.

Experience with development and construction of new exhibits.

This is a full-time ongoing position.

Only shortlisted candidates will receive a response.

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📌 Aquarist - Full Time (Cairns Regional)
🏢 Cairns Aquarium & Reef Research Centre
📍 Cairns Regional