Curator (First Nations Affirmative Measures)

The Museum has an exciting opportunity for a professional to join the agency as an APS Level 6.

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. 

Selection criteria

• 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. 

 About the Org

The National Museum of Australia is recognised at home and around the world as the place where the story of Australia comes alive. The Museum is the only institution equipped to tell the complex and comprehensive story of Australia from 65,000 years ago to the present day. The story of Australia is a remarkable one, from the ancient and enduring histories of the world’s oldest living cultures to the achievements of modern Australia. It is a story that is ever evolving and growing – and it is a story for a nation and for the world.