Your most valuable resource before leaving for Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic or the Southern Ocean is the Expeditioner Handbook. It should answer most of your questions about your upcoming expedition.
There’s also more information on our website about station amenities and operations.
The AAD Separation Guide will help prepare you for time away from family and friends. More information to assist can be found on our Liaison and support page or our Family and friends page.
If you are an expeditioner not employed by the Australian Antarctic Division, please visit the External Expeditioner page for information relevant to you.
Expeditioners in this non-AAD employed category include;
- Federal and State Government employees (eg BoM, ADF, TasPAWS, Geoscience Australia CASA, ARPANSA etc.)
- Project personnel (eg Science organisations, SAEF, ACEAS, AAPP, UTas, Media and Arts Fellows etc.)
- Station Support personnel from an external company contracted to the AAD (eg Ken Borek, HeliRes etc).
Next steps
- Expeditioner forms – to complete and return
- Antarctic Applications Online (AAO) – to set up a ‘personal profile’ including family contacts, passport details and clothing sizes for Antarctic kitting
- Pre-departure checklist PDF – to double check you have completed all your tasks
Community life
Important reading
- COVID-19 information for expeditioners
- Expeditioner Working Hours PDF
- Work health & safety roles and responsibilities PDF
- All Employees Safety Behaviour Framework PDF
- Fatigue Management Standard PDF
- Expeditioner handbook
- Drones (UAV) in Antarctica
Useful links
- Shipping and air schedules
- Cargo information, including using the AAD’s electronic consignment system eCon and battery transport
- Antarctic clothing
- Tips for photography and filming in Antarctica (The Better Guide) PDF