APS Level 6 - Curator (Affirmative Measures - First Nations)

The Museum has an exciting opportunity for a professional to join the agency as an APS6 Curator

Role purpose 

The Museum is seeking an experienced curator to join its dynamic Curatorial team in shaping how Australians engage with history, culture and our place in the world. This role is integral to the Museum’s vision of being a leading national forum for conversations about Australian history and a global leader in audience engagement.

The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to exhibitions, programs, digital content, publications, and collection development, with a strong emphasis on inclusive, innovative storytelling. A key aspect of this role is working with the Museum’s significant collection of First Nations material culture. For a passionate First Nations curator, this role provides a meaningful platform to reconnect objects with communities and share their stories with national and international audiences.

You’ll bring creativity, research skills, cultural insight, and a strong audience focus to a team committed to exploring the complexities of Australian society, past and present.

Key accountabilities 

• Undertake research and content development aligned with the Museum’s strategic priorities, particularly in relation to Australian history and First Nations material culture.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of curatorial outputs, including exhibitions, programs, publications, digital media, and public engagement activities.
• Engage with the Museum’s collection, contributing to acquisition, interpretation, and the development of audience-centred narratives.
• Collaborate with First Nations communities, organisations, and individuals to ensure cultural protocols and priorities are respected and embedded in project delivery.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Represent the Museum in professional settings, public forums, and community engagement activities.
• Contribute to team collaboration and interdisciplinary project delivery.
• Manage individual workloads effectively to meet competing deadlines and project requirements.
• Support the Museum’s ongoing commitment to cultural competency and safety in all aspects of curatorial practice.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Work Health and Safety (WH&S) by actively supporting a positive safety culture, following the Museum’s WHS policies and procedures, and complying with reasonable instructions to ensure alignment with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011

To apply 

Applicants must include a 2 page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against the essential and desirable Skills, experience and qualifications. Applicants must also provide a resume and contact details for 2 referees.  

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

Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 9 November 2025. 

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.

This position is open to Australian First Nations people only in accordance with ‘The Affirmative Measure – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment provision’ set out in Section 26 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2016 and is within the meaning of Special Measures under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.