Conservator

A conservator examines, documents, and treats cultural artefacts, artworks, and heritage objects to stabilise their condition and slow deterioration in Australian museums, galleries, archives, and heritage sites. They apply scientific knowledge of materials and conservation techniques to preserve items for future generations while adhering to ethical guidelines set by professional bodies such as AICCM (Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Materials). The work involves hands-on treatment, condition assessment, and preventive conservation planning across diverse object types including textiles, paintings, ceramics, metals, and paper-based materials.

Examine artefacts and artworks using visual inspection, magnification, and scientific instruments to assess condition, identify materials, and determine causes of deterioration. Document object condition through detailed written reports, photography, and digital imaging to establish baseline records and track changes over time. Perform conservation treatments such as cleaning, consolidation, structural repair, and surface stabilisation using appropriate solvents, adhesives, and conservation-grade materials. Conduct preventive conservation planning by monitoring environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, light levels) and recommending storage or display modifications to reduce future damage. Prepare conservation proposals and cost estimates for clients or internal museum/gallery stakeholders that outline treatment objectives, methods, timeline, and resource requirements. Collaborate with curators and collection managers to prioritise conservation work based on artefact significance, condition urgency, and available resources. Maintain detailed conservation records including treatment methods, materials used, and outcomes to support institutional documentation and professional accountability. Apply specialist knowledge to specific object types (e.g. textile conservation, paintings conservation, paper conservation, archaeological artefact conservation) using material-specific techniques.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

The real barrier is job scarcity and low pay. Museums and galleries have tiny budgets and hire very few conservators. Getting AICCM accreditation takes years of unpaid or low-paid apprenticeship after your degree.

Regional areas rarely employ dedicated conservators. Remote work is not practical for hands-on conservation. You'll need to be based in or regularly travel to a major city to find work.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2349, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Electronic Document Managementcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Digital Literacy
• Incident Reporting
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Negotiation
• Process Documentation
• Team Collaboration
• Verbal Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026