Who we are

National Archives of Australia (National Archives) provides leadership in the best practice management of the official record of the Commonwealth and ensures that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community.

Our vision: The National Archives is committed to being a world-leading archive and strives to strengthen Australia's cultural identity and democracy by connecting people with the evidence of Australian Government activities and decisions.

National Archives endeavour to meet the future needs of government and expectations of the Australian public in our rapidly changing digital environment. Underpinning the transformative strategies to enable, secure, connect and innovate is a drive for comprehensive digital capability and service delivery. National Archives is committed to:

• innovation
• collaboration
• inclusion

National Archives is also committed to developing the capability and expertise of our staff, we offer a Studies Assistance Program that supports staff to achieve individual goals as well as increasing their capacity to help achieve the National Archives’ strategic objectives. Our Health and Wellbeing Program encourages and supports a healthier workplace and healthy lifestyle choices for all employees.

About the role

The Access and Public Engagement Branch is the public face of the National Archives of Australia, delivering reference, description and research services, examination for the release of records in the open period, exhibition, education and public programs, publishing (including digital publishing), marketing, partnerships and events on site at national and state offices, and online. All programs and activities support the key National Archives’ role of providing an accessible, visible and interpreted national archival collection.

Public Programs is responsible for developing and delivering interpreted, engaging and curated programs aimed at providing connection with the national archival collection in the richest possible ways. Public Programs develops and delivers programs onsite, offsite and online through temporary and permanent and touring exhibitions, visitor programs, school programs and digital experiences.

National Archives curators are passionate about records and their stories, placing these at the heart of their work. Curators work with the national archival collection, communities, and teams across Archives to bring the collection to life, developing exhibitions, digital experience projects, publications, seminars and events.

Under broad direction the main duties of the role are to:

• Plan, develop and manage the National Archives curatorial program to produce and maintain exhibitions, displays – including gallery management, and online material that connects people with the national archival collection inline with Strategy 2025-2030 Evolving National Archives and Australia’s Cultural Policy Revive.
• Research the national archival collection, maintain best practice and knowledge of exhibition development across the national collecting institution sector to meet the curatorial program deliverables. Using research findings, contribute to education and learning programs; write essays and articles for internal and external publications and present papers and participate in symposia and forums, internally and externally to promote and increase access to the collection.
• Provide historical and curatorial advice, manage key stakeholder relationships – including with teams from our state and territory office locations around the nation, and fulfil policy development and reporting requirements relevant to curatorial program development and deliverables as well as the Public Programs section.
• Lead and manage staff in the Curatorial Services sub-section, undertake performance conversations and appraisals, participate in project teams that include staff, consultants and contractors, as required. Manage contracts and service agreements with procurement guidelines. Perform high level management tasks and prepare and manage work plans and budgets.
• Represent the National Archives for the purpose of promoting and increasing awareness of the national archival collection and the ambition, vision and mission that underpins our work including to the media, amongst professional networks and associated forums.
• Promote and apply the APS and National Archives values and contemporary people management principles and practices in diversity, workplace health and safety and participative management.

Tertiary qualifications in Australian history, cultural heritage management, museum studies or similar, are desirable but not essential.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the role you must be an Australian citizen. If you are selected, you will be required to successfully undergo a pre-employment check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a Baseline clearance level.

How to apply

You need to apply through our e-recruitment system.

Your application will need to include:

• the names and contact details of at least two referees, one of whom should be a current supervisor.
• your current resume.
• statement (1000 words maximum), describing how your skills, knowledge, and experience/qualifications would enable you to perform the duties of the role taking into account the “Performance Expectations” at the relevant classification and the National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in the Strategy 2030 and Our Values.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability