Inside the Australian War Memorial: Your 60-Second Guide to Landing Your Dream Role 🚀
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the Australian War Memorial? We’ve done the heavy lifting and dissected their annual report, so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the Memorial—from key functions and financials to the specific skills and qualifications they value in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or a fresh graduate, this guide will equip you to navigate your path toward a rewarding government career.
AT-A-GLANCE ⚡
Name of Department / Council: Australian War Memorial
Location: Campbell, Canberra (ACT)
CEO: Matt Anderson PSM (Director)
Total Revenue: Approximately AUD $57.5 million (2023–24)
Total Number of Employees: Around 329 (2023–24)
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited:
History or Heritage Studies: Helps interpret, preserve, and present Australia’s military history.
Business Administration / Management: Useful for project planning, budgeting, and operational oversight.
Information Technology / Data Management: Critical for managing digital collections and online platforms.
Museum Studies / Curatorial Studies: Equips you with curation, exhibition design, and conservation skills.
Public Policy / Public Administration: Assists in governance, policymaking, and liaising with other government agencies.
Top 5 Certifications Most Suited:
Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile): Vital for overseeing large-scale initiatives like the Development Project.
Digital Preservation or Records Management: Enhances digital archiving and records management capabilities.
Work Health and Safety Certifications: Ensures safe environments for staff and visitors, especially with ongoing construction.
Human Resources (e.g., AHRI): Supports talent development, recruitment, and workforce planning.
Financial Management (e.g., CPA, CA): Aids in budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance.
Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited:
Conservation Technicians: Preserve historical items, from uniforms to large military technology objects.
Tradespeople (Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers): Support facility maintenance, construction, and new infrastructure.
Audio-Visual / Multimedia Technicians: Help produce and maintain interactive exhibitions and digital archives.
Museum Exhibition Installers: Specialize in installing delicate or large objects in gallery spaces.
Facilities Management Professionals: Oversee operations, security, energy usage, and building upkeep.
Top 5 Skills Most Suited:
Research & Analysis: Cataloguing the collection, curating exhibitions, and producing historical narratives.
Digital Literacy: Needed for digitizing artifacts, running websites, and managing content databases.
Project Coordination: Ensures cross-functional teams stay aligned, particularly during major expansions.
Stakeholder Engagement: Builds relationships with veterans’ groups, donors, government agencies, and the public.
Visitor Engagement / Customer Service: Ensures a positive experience for everyone from dignitaries to school groups.
Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited:
Museum / Gallery Work: Practical knowledge of exhibition planning, conservation, and heritage operations.
Public Sector Roles (APS, State, or Local Government): Familiarity with government processes and policy frameworks.
Project Delivery / Construction: Valuable for infrastructure developments and refurbishments.
Corporate Services / Administration: Relevant to running finance, HR, and governance in a public institution.
Military or Defence Experience: Lends insight into operational history, terminology, and relevant artifacts.
THE KEY FACTS 💡
Name of Department: Australian War Memorial
Name of CEO: Matt Anderson PSM (Director)
Location: Canberra, ACT (with multiple offices and storage sites)
Year Founded: Officially opened in 1941
Main Mission and Purpose:
To commemorate the sacrifice of Australians who have died in war or on operational service, and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. For example, the daily Last Post Ceremony offers a moving glimpse into personal stories of service and sacrifice.Main Duties of the Department:
Maintaining the National Memorial for Australians who have served.
Developing and caring for a vast historical collection.
Showcasing military history through exhibitions, ceremonies, and research.
Providing authoritative information and resources on Australia’s wartime experiences.
Real-World Example: The Memorial often updates its galleries to include modern deployments and peacekeeping missions—ensuring Australia’s military story feels relevant and relatable.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans, and Initiatives:
Major Development Project: A multi-year expansion featuring new galleries, a high-tech geothermal system (the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere), and enhanced visitor facilities.
Digital Engagement: Ongoing digitization of records for worldwide online access.
Research & Publications: Continuing with official histories (e.g., East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan) and military research.
Did You Know?
The Memorial’s geothermal heating and cooling system helps reduce reliance on non-renewable energy—great for both the planet and the Memorial’s long-term sustainability! 🌏
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE 📊
Total Number of Employees: Approximately 329 in 2023–24 (including ongoing and non-ongoing).
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level: Not specified, but staff are employed under various APS classifications and specialist contracts.
Salary Bands: While exact APS salary bands vary, entry levels typically begin around AUD $50,000, scaling up to above AUD $170,000 for senior roles.
Average Salary in the Department: Not explicitly stated, but generally aligned with APS pay frameworks.
Total Revenue: Approximately AUD $57.5 million (2023–24).
Average Revenue per Employee: About AUD $175,000 (total revenue ÷ total employees).
GETTING A JOB AT THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
When writing your job application, remember to use government-friendly job titles and keywords. 🏛️
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Conservation / Collections Care: Essential for protecting historic objects.
Building & Construction: Helpful for ongoing maintenance and new projects.
Business Administration: Beneficial for a variety of support roles.
Bachelor / Master Level:
History, Museum Studies, Heritage Management: Crucial for curation and research.
Arts / Humanities (Research-Focused): Strengthens historical and interpretive work.
Information Technology: Key to managing digital archives and cybersecurity.
Public Administration / Policy: Facilitates effective collaboration and governance.
PhDs:
Military History or Related Fields: Advances deep research and authoritative publications.
Archival Science / Digitization Research: Innovates how large digital archives are preserved and accessed.
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after?
Trades: Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and specialized technicians.
Professions: Conservators, curators, historians, IT specialists, finance officers, HR practitioners, project managers, communications professionals, and more.
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after?
Government / APS Experience: Familiarity with public sector frameworks and procedures.
Museum / Heritage Work: Understanding how to handle, preserve, and display sensitive artifacts.
Project Delivery and Construction: Perfect for supporting expansions and refurbishments.
Research and Writing Roles: Beneficial for producing authoritative narratives and official histories.
Visitor Services / Education: Frontline engagement with the public and school groups.
Which skills are likely to be most sought after?
Soft Skills:
Collaboration: Working across teams (curators, builders, historians).
Communication: Explaining complex ideas to diverse audiences.
Adaptability: Managing evolving projects and adopting new tech platforms.
Customer Focus: Creating a welcoming experience for visitors and stakeholders.
Technical Skills:
Digital Archiving & Data Management: Vital for modernizing how artifacts are accessed.
Project Management Tools: Keeping expansions and enhancements on track.
Conservation Techniques: Ensuring the collection remains intact for generations.
General Skills:
Time Management: Handling multiple research or construction tasks simultaneously.
Problem-Solving: Maintaining facility operations and artifact security.
Writing & Documentation: Essential for research publications and curatorial texts.
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
A passion for Australian or military history, photography, collecting memorabilia, historical re-enactments, genealogy, writing, or community service ties naturally to the Memorial’s day-to-day activities.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?
Contact the Department (HR/Recruitment Team):
Phone: +61 2 6243 4211
Email: info@awm.gov.au
Address: GPO Box 345, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Website: https://www.awm.gov.au
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.