Assistant Curator

City of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional development

Paid parental leave

Inclusive culture

Job summary

City of Sydney is seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Curator to support the Curator - Civic Collection within the Cultural Programs and Services team. You will assist with preservation, cataloguing and interpretation of the Civic Collection, and support display, research, and coordination of the Curatorial Advisory Panel.

This is a permanent, full-time role working with a valued collection. The successful candidate will have qualifications in art history, museum studies or related fields and

Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in art history, museum studies, curatorship, cultural heritage management, or related field.
• Experience with visual and decorative arts and objects of historical significance.
• Proficiency with collection management databases and practices.

Responsibilities

• Support preservation, cataloguing and interpretation of the Civic Collection.
• Assist with display planning, research and coordination of the Curatorial Advisory Panel.
• Maintain curatorial information systems and contribute to exhibitions and publications.

Skills

Project management

Administrative skills

Organisational skills

Research

Education

Art history

Museum studies

Curatorship

Cultural heritage management

Job description

Caring for our city, creating a future for all

Our people are passionate about their communities and connected to their teams. They’re motivated by our genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, and our clear, compelling plan for our global city:Sustainable Sydney 2030 – 2050 Continuing the Vision.

Be part of a purpose-led organisation with care at its core. You’ll make a difference by acting in the best interests of our communities and city. Be better together with collaborative and inclusive partnerships. Embrace possibilities and be open to new ideas and creating bold solutions.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Curator to support the Curator - Civic Collection as part of the Cultural Programs and Services team. You will be supporting the management of the City of Sydney’s Civic Collection to ensure the preservation, cataloguing, interpretation, acquisition and presentation of the collection. In the role you will be hands on supporting the display of the collection, conducting research, maintaining and updating the curatorial information systems and supporting the coordination of the Curatorial Advisory Panel. This is a permanent, full time position working with a unique and highly valued collection covering a broad range of object types.

We are looking for someone who:

• is passionate about the material history of the City and the stewardship of its Civic Collection
• brings relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in art history, museum studies, curatorship, cultural heritage management, or a related field
• has experience working with visual and decorative arts, as well as objects of historical and heritage significance
• is confident using collection management databases and applying contemporary collection management practices
• enjoys conducting research and contributing to exhibitions, publications, public programs and collection interpretation
• has strong project management, administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities
• is proactive, detail-oriented and committed to the preservation, care and presentation of cultural collections
• values engaging with the community through meaningful access to and interpretation of collections.

Download position description.

This role has the option of a rostered day off each month, known as a 19-day month.

The recommended applicant must complete a pre-employment health declaration and a criminal history check.

Applications must be made online by 11:59pm, Thursday 15th October 2026

For more information, contact Matthew Fallon, Manager Cultural Programs and Services on 02 9246 7*** (after 7th October)

Find out why a career at the City of Sydney might be right for you.

What we can offer you

You’ll work with passionate, welcoming and supportive people who care for our communities and create a future for all.

Flexible working

• 3 days of care and cultural leave each year for health and wellbeing activities, cultural and religious days or events of significance
• Collaborative approach to flexible working
• City centre head office, with many public transport options.

Professional development

• Leadership and management development program
• Further education program providing reimbursement of course fees, and study and exam leave
• Opportunity to attend external courses and conferences
• Long service and employee recognition awards
• Employee assistance program offering free, confidential counselling

Supporting families

• We provide 26 weeks of paid parental leave for all new parents, supporting diverse and inclusive families
• Paid and unpaid adoption and long-term fostering leave
• Paid superannuation for up to 52 weeks of parental leave
• Part-time and job-sharing options available
• Supportive return-to-work environment

Inclusive culture

• Recognised as an Inclusive Employer by the Diversity Council of Australia
• Active employee networks including City Women, City Pride, DiverseCity, Inclusive City, Young Professionals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander network
• Recognised family inclusive workplace
• Veteran employment supporter