Unlocking the Secrets of the Australian National Maritime Museum: Your 60-Second Guide to a Government Career 🚢
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM)? We’ve reviewed its annual report so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this dynamic institution—from its key functions and financials to the skills they’re looking for in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or fresh out of school, this guide will help you chart a course toward a rewarding career in Australia’s public sector.
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department / Council: Australian National Maritime Museum
Location: Darling Harbour, Sydney
CEO: Director and CEO, Ms. Daryl Karp
Total Revenue: Approximately AUD 43 million (combining government funding and own-source revenue)
Total Number of Employees: 111
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited
Certificate/Diploma in Tourism, Events, or Museum Practices
⚡️ Why it’s useful: Ideal for front-of-house roles, running cultural programs, and managing visitor engagement.Bachelor’s Degree in History or Cultural Studies
⚡️ Why it’s useful: Provides strong research and interpretive skills for exhibits on Australia’s maritime heritage.Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or Communications
⚡️ Why it’s useful: Equips you for outreach, partnerships, promotions, and public relations within the museum.Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Primary or Secondary)
⚡️ Why it’s useful: Perfect for designing and delivering workshops and guided tours for school groups.Master’s Degree in Museum Studies, Heritage Management, or Curatorial Practice
⚡️ Why it’s useful: Offers advanced skills in curation, collection management, and exhibition planning.
Top 5 Certifications Most Suited
Project Management Certification (e.g., PRINCE2 or Agile)
🤔 Benefit: Streamlines the planning and execution of exhibitions, events, and large-scale projects.Human Resources Certification (e.g., Cert IV in Human Resource Management)
🤔 Benefit: Supports recruitment, staff development, and workforce planning for a diverse institution.IT Certifications (e.g., Microsoft, Cloud, Digital Infrastructure)
🤔 Benefit: Ensures the smooth functioning of digital systems, interactive exhibits, and online engagement.Finance or Accounting Certification (e.g., CPA, CIMA)
🤔 Benefit: Critical for budgeting, financial analysis, and resource allocation in a government setting.Conservation or Preservation Certification
🤔 Benefit: Essential for safeguarding artefacts, artworks, and historical items in the museum’s collection.
Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited
Carpenters or Boatbuilders
⛵️ Invaluable for: Maintaining and restoring historic vessels or wooden structures on site.Electricians
⛵️ Invaluable for: Handling exhibit lighting, digital installations, and overall facility power needs.Plumbers
⛵️ Invaluable for: Ensuring smooth operation of public amenities and critical services.Marine Engineers
⛵️ Invaluable for: Servicing and operating the museum’s heritage fleet on the water.Audio-Visual or Multimedia Technicians
⛵️ Invaluable for: Bringing exhibits to life with interactive presentations and digital media.
Top 5 Skills Most Suited
Collaboration
🎯 Advantage: Projects often span multiple teams—curators, educators, events staff—all working together.Customer Service
🎯 Advantage: Shaping memorable visits for tourists, students, and VIP guests.Research and Analysis
🎯 Advantage: Critical for building a robust knowledge base on maritime history and ocean sciences.Digital Literacy
🎯 Advantage: Underpins everything from social media outreach to managing online archives.Problem-Solving
🎯 Advantage: Helps address on-the-fly issues with exhibits, facilities, or scheduling challenges.
Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited
Heritage or Cultural Institutions
💡 Value: Familiarity with behind-the-scenes processes in exhibitions, outreach, or heritage projects.Customer-Facing Roles
💡 Value: Shows you can handle visitor queries, crowd flow, and day-to-day public interactions.Projects and Events Coordination
💡 Value: Demonstrates budgeting skills, timelines, stakeholder engagement, and on-the-ground execution.Research and Academic Background
💡 Value: Deep dives into maritime topics, historical contexts, or data analysis.Government or Public Administration
💡 Value: Knowledge of public service processes, selection criteria, and inter-agency collaboration.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Australian National Maritime Museum
Name of CEO: Director and CEO, Ms. Daryl Karp
Location: Predominantly located at Darling Harbour, Sydney
Year Founded: Opened in 1991
Main Mission and Purpose of the Museum:
To inform, educate, and engage Australians and global visitors about the nation’s maritime heritage and future.
Real-World Example: By preserving iconic vessels and creating interactive exhibitions, the museum shows how Australia’s story—past, present, and future—is intertwined with the sea.
Main Duties of the Museum:
Exhibiting an expansive range of maritime artefacts and historical treasures
Conducting research, preserving, and sharing the National Maritime Collection
Running public programs, educational outreach, and special events
Collaborating with partners across Australia and overseas to spotlight maritime stories
Preserving a floating heritage fleet, including historical naval ships and replicas
Taking traveling exhibitions nationwide to reach regional communities
Real-World Example: The “Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks” exhibition entertains and educates families about maritime archaeology through interactive, child-friendly displays.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans, and Initiatives:
Strengthening digital platforms and educational programs for nationwide access
Conserving and exhibiting culturally significant vessels (including the HMB Endeavour replica)
Partnering with global institutions to advance ocean conservation and marine sustainability
Improving visitor amenities (e.g., new boardwalk infrastructure, immersive digital experiences)
Experimenting with cutting-edge technologies for more interactive museum experiences
Did You Know?
The museum’s collections hold over 160,000 maritime objects—from centuries-old artifacts to modern oceanic photography—offering endless discovery for visitors intrigued by Australia’s maritime heritage.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 111
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
Senior Management (EL2 & SES): ~12
Middle Management (EL1): ~28
APS Levels 1–6 (and equivalent): ~71
Salary Bands (Approximate):
APS 1–6: ~AUD 50,000 to 90,000 per year
EL1–EL2: ~AUD 90,000 to 150,000 per year
Senior Executive & CEO: Above AUD 150,000
Average Salary in the Museum: ~AUD 70,000+
Total Revenue: ~AUD 43 million (combines government appropriations and self-generated funds)
Average Revenue per Employee: ~AUD 390,000 (Total Revenue ÷ Total Number of Employees)
GETTING A JOB AT THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
Which Academic Subjects are Likely to be Sought After?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Event Management: Ideal for coordinating and executing museum events, festivals, and temporary exhibits.
Business Administration: Useful for internal operations, finance, and administrative tasks.
IT or Web Development: Key for digital outreach, online collections, and interactive exhibit components.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Museum Studies or History: Builds expertise for curating artefacts and contextualizing historical narratives.
Education or Teaching: Essential for designing museum-based learning experiences.
Marketing or Communications: Indispensable for media engagement, partnerships, and public outreach.
PhDs:
Maritime Archaeology, Marine Science, or Cultural Studies: Offers specialist knowledge to elevate research projects and scholarly publications.
Which Trades and Professions?
Maritime Mechanics: Overhaul and maintenance of historic and contemporary museum vessels.
Conservation Professionals: Ensure priceless artefacts remain preserved for public viewing and research.
Audio-Visual Technicians: Set up multimedia galleries, VR exhibits, and immersive displays.
Administrative and Events Planners: Handle the day-to-day logistics of exhibitions, conferences, and programs.
Which Work Experiences?
Museum or Gallery Roles: Demonstrates familiarity with curation, visitor services, and exhibit design.
Public Sector Roles: Showcases an understanding of bureaucratic processes, governance, and compliance.
Customer Service or Retail: Proves your ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences.
Project Management: Critical for large-scale exhibit rollouts or high-profile public events.
Which Skills?
Soft Skills:
Communication: Explaining maritime stories to school groups, families, and international visitors.
Teamwork: Collaborating with curators, volunteers, and government stakeholders.
Adaptability: Pivoting quickly between exhibitions, events, and operational demands.
Technical Skills:
Database & Collections Management: Handling digital archives and artifact cataloging.
Digital Media Production: Filming, editing, or setting up interactive online tours.
Website Management: Keeping public information current and user-friendly.
General Skills:
Planning & Organization: Scheduling tours, maintaining vessel upkeep, and coordinating staff rosters.
Problem-Solving: Overcoming last-minute hurdles in exhibits, staffing, or facilities.
Which Hobbies and Interests?
Boating or Sailing: Provides an intuitive grasp of maritime culture and vessel operations.
Collecting Memorabilia: Suggests a knack for cataloging and valuing historical pieces.
Creative Arts (e.g., Photography, Painting, Design): Great for making exhibits aesthetically engaging.
Storytelling & Writing: Helps shape compelling narratives around artefacts and personal stories.
Community or Volunteer Work: Reflects enthusiasm for educating and engaging the public.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?
Contact the Australian National Maritime Museum:
Address: Wharf 7, 58 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia
Telephone: (02) 9298 3777 (within Australia) or +61 2 9298 3777 (international)
Email: info@sea.museum
Website: sea.museum
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