The Paintings & Objects Conservator cares for the Museum’s National Historical Collection and other holdings in the Museum’s care. They support many of the Museum’s activities involving the collection and manage risks to preservation of the collection in the many diverse ways the collection is accessed, utilised and stored.

Key accountabilities

The Conservator, Paintings & Objects role is part of a diverse team, reporting to the Senior Conservator, Objects in a busy and energetic work environment. While the role is based in a material specialist conservation team, the role works across all types of materials as required. Over the 12-month engagement, the role will action and support a wide range of activities associated with exhibitions and collections care, including development and maintenance of First Nations driven exhibitions of contemporary & historic materials.

The role includes varied conservation tasks including condition, pest and hazard assessments, interventive conservation treatments, preventive conservation and hazard management programs, preparation of objects for display, gallery maintenance, exhibition installs and de-installs, mount assessments and preparation, as well as storage and collection rehousing activities. There will also be opportunities to participate in public programs, respond to occasional public and sector enquiries, and work on collaborative projects within the sector. Conservators also represent their team at meetings where appropriate and may occasionally travel domestically and internationally to support touring exhibitions and remote collection work.

The position entails working closely with conservation, registration and curatorial colleagues and a broad range of internal stakeholders across the organisation, as well as external stakeholders,



volunteers and contractors on a variety of collection matters. The role will also contribute to cross-skilling other conservators by providing training and mentoring in specialist materials conservation and collection activities related to areas of expertise and knowledge.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:

- be an Australian citizen
- undergo pre-employment checks, including a police record check
- hold or be eligible to hold a security clearance at the level specified in the position description.

The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for roles at the Museum.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under RecruitAbility you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under RecruitAbility; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position.

The Museum is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for, these principles, in theory and practice.

To apply

Applicants must include a two-page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against the essential and desirable skills, experience and qualifications defined in the position description with their application. Applicants must also provide a current CV and contact details for two referees.

Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 02 August 2026.

Visit http://www.nma.gov.au/about/employment and apply online.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. If you require, or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments, please contact the Contact Officer for this position.

📌 Conservator, Paintings & Objects (Canberra)
🏢 National Museum of Australia
📍 Canberra