Please note: Antarctic Medical Practitioner role recruitment is for season 2025/26.

As an Antarctic Medical Practitioner (AMP) you will provide complete generalist medical, surgical and emergency dental care for a remote community at an Australian Antarctic or sub-Antarctic station. AMPs also provide care during voyages and in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic field environments.

You will generally be the sole medical practitioner at the station. The AMP provides total health care services for 15 to 25 expeditioners over winter. This can increase to 120 during summer (October to March). There may be up to 130 passengers and crew on expedition voyages. AMPs are generally winter jobs (total employment 15–18 months, with time in Antarctica 10–15 months). Occasional shorter term appointments may be available as ship, summer station and field doctors, however wintering applicants are preferred.

The Australian Antarctic Program’s (AAP) vision is to ensure Antarctica is valued, protected and understood. Working with the AAP provides a unique opportunity to experience Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, while supporting world-leading science.

The AAP aims to support expeditioner growth, professionally and personally, with a focus on wellbeing. We strive to employ versatile, proactive and community minded people. Expeditioners will need to contribute to a small team and be resilient as they face the challenges of living in an isolated environment.

For more detailed information about the requirements of the role and the selection process, please see the job description document and link to more information on the application process below.

Employment conditions

• The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $146,251 per annum.
• Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $211,592 per annum.
• You will also receive ACRRM accredited remote and Antarctic medicine training and professional development, medical indemnity and professional development support and opportunities for research and higher degrees in healthcare in remote and extreme environments. The AAD has developed, with the University of Tasmania (UTAS), the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments and higher awards.
• A generous employer superannuation contribution of up to 15.4% will be paid in addition to salary and allowances.
• You will accrue recreation leave at the equivalent of 20 days per annum pro rata. Please note that recreation leave is not available in Antarctica, but will be paid out on return to Australia.

Eligibility

In accordance with the PS Act 1999, APS employees are required to be Australian citizens. Persons who are not Australian citizens will generally only be considered where there are no suitable Australian applicants, with next considerations being Australian residents with work rights and New Zealand citizens

In addition, these positions require medical registration in Australia which is administered through the Medical Board of Australia. Information on how to become registered in Australia can be found on the Medical Board of Australia website. If you are an International Medical Graduate, information on pathways to become registered in Australia can be found on the Australian Medical Council website.

Qualifications/licences (provide copies in your application):

• Unrestricted general or relevant specialist registration as a medical practitioner with the Medical Board of Australia
• Basic Medical qualification.
• A current, unrestricted “C” class (manual) Australian driver’s licence.
• Provide details of any suspensions, restrictions or other actions from relevant registering and professional bodies in Australia or in any other country.
• Certificate of Good Standing (where requested).
• Valid passport when travelling to the Antarctic or sub-antarctic. The expiry date of the passport (and any relevant visa) must be at least 6 months beyond the planned end date of your intended stay in the Antarctic or sub-antarctic

Recent hands-on experience

Typical successful applicants include rural and remote generalist practitioners or registrars, and some specialists with a background broad scope of practice or relevant upskilling (e.g. emergency physicians, anaesthetists, surgeons, physicians).

AMPs must have practical skills or be able to respond, where appropriate, in the following fields. Some examples of practical procedures which have been performed by AMPs, or may be required, are indicated below. A generalist non-specialist level of experience is sought.

1. ​General Medicine

• General Medicine (lumbar puncture, pleural tap)
• Dermatology
• Ophthalmology (enucleation of eye)
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• Psychiatry and Mental Health Counselling

2. Emergency Management

• Urology & STI (catheters, suprapubic cystotomy)
• Thoracic (underwater seal drains)
• Burns (split skin graft)

3. Anaesthetics* and Intensive Care

• General Anaesthesia
• Local and Regional Anaesthesia (spinal, Bier’s Block)

4. Surgery*

• Surgery – Appendicectomy (craniotomy, laparotomy with exploration of the abdomen, oversewing perforated peptic ulcer, splenectomy, management of other abdominal trauma, colostomy, tracheostomy, oesophagoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidoscopy)
• Plastic Surgery (hand injuries, amputations, management of tendon and nerve injuries)

5. Orthopaedics

• Orthopaedics (conservative management of all types of fractures, including skeletal traction, management of cervical and thoraco-lumbar spinal injuries, treatment of dislocations of minor and major joints, and management of lower back problems)

6. Obstetrics and Gynaecology

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Dilatation and Curettage, Ectopic Pregnancy)

* Some training may be provided in these areas before departure.

Contact

For general enquiries, please email the Hays Expeditioner Recruitment Team at antarctica@hays.com.au.

For job specific (technical or trade related) enquiries, or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Hays Expeditioner Recruitment Team at antarctica@hays.com.au or 03 8602 9896.