Curator, Southeastern Australia First Peoples Collections

About this role

Australia's largest public museum organisation is seeking a Curator, Southeastern Australia First Peoples Collections at Museums Victoria. This is a fixed term, full-time position until 1st July 2027. This is a designated position for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

ABOUT MUSEUMS VICTORIA:

Ever dreamed of working in a place where dinosaurs roam, stars explode, and the world's most intriguing stories come to life? Welcome to Museums Victoria (MV)—where every day is a new opportunity to create unforgettable experiences. As one of the southern hemisphere's largest and most iconic museum organisations, we're not just about exhibits; we're about engaging, immersive moments that spark curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Home to the awe-inspiring Melbourne Museum, the culturally rich Immigration Museum, the mind-expanding Scienceworks, and the World Heritage–listed Royal Exhibition Building, MV is a place where events transform spaces and stories into something truly unmissable. Join a passionate team that brings ideas to life and makes discovery part of everyday experience.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

This position provides high-level curatorial expertise for the First Peoples department of Museums Victoria, relating to the First Peoples of Southeastern Australia materials held in our care. Returning cultural material to people and Country is a priority of Museums Victoria under our First Peoples Strategy, and this role sits at the centre of that work.

You will be accountable for curatorial research and for overseeing the development of the Southeastern Australia First Peoples collections, undertaking extensive community collaboration to document the collections and make them accessible. The role works collaboratively across the Museum and with external stakeholders to build an active program of research, documentation, exhibitions and programs.

Some of the key duties include: 

• Contribute to collection development, documentation and associated policy and procedural development in the South East Australian collection.
• Enabling access to collections and information to community. Enhancing collection databases and providing expert advice to community.
• Contribute to changeovers and renewal of the First Peoples exhibition, in collaboration with the First Peoples Experiences team and museum colleagues.
• Initiating and undertaking collection related research.
• Contributing to the Indigenous Repatriation Program for the return of cultural materials to Aboriginal communities.
• Provide expert advice on cultural material in the South East Australian collection.
• Ensure that appropriate cultural protocols are observed in the management of the collections.

The successful applicant will have:

• Extensive knowledge of South East First Peoples cultures and their social, political and environmental history, especially through the study of material culture.
• A demonstrated understanding of cultural and legal issues relating to facilitating access to First Peoples collections, and demonstrated experience in undertaking cultural permissions.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with First Peoples communities.
• Experience in developing high-quality exhibitions and publications.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a networked organisation, including with key stakeholder groups and professional networks.

This is a designated position. It is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, in accordance with relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation.

OTHER INFORMATION

This is a full-time, fixed term position until 30 June 2027. The salary on offer is Grade 4, Value Range 1 – $100,894 per annum + 12% Superannuation.

OUR COMMITMENT

Museums Victoria is strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We create and maintain a child safe environment and have zero tolerance for child abuse. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check and a Working with Children Check, and be assessed as suitable.

Museums Victoria is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate all communities. Museums Victoria is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and people of all ages, gender identities and sexual orientations. For this designated position, we welcome applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander men of all ages, abilities, sexual orientations and cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. If you require adjustments or support to participate, please the hiring manager listed on this job ad.

HOW TO APPLY?

To view the position description, visit Careers - Museums Victoria. From our Current Vacancies page, select “All Jobs” and click on the link for this job's listing. 

To apply, please click “Apply for this Job” at the bottom of the job listing page. 

For more information about this position, please contact Jade Hadfield at jahadfield@museum.vic.gov.au.

For a confidential yarn about the role, the recruitment process, or cultural support during your application, please contact Jade Hadfield at jahadfield@museum.vic.gov.au.

Please submit the following two documents with your application: 

• Your Resume
• A cover letter addressing the following Key Selection Criteria:

1. Extensive knowledge of First Peoples cultures and their social, political and environmental history, especially through the study of material culture.
2. Relevant tertiary qualifications related to cultural heritage material and/or comparable and demonstrable work experience.
3. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with First Peoples individuals and communities.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 18 September 2026 (11:59pm)