How to become a Museum Officer
Museum officers prepare specimens for collections, and construct and arrange museum and art gallery exhibits.
Personal requirements for a Museum Officer
- Patient, with a methodical approach to work
- Able to pay attention to detail
- Aptitude for design
Education & Training for a Museum Officer
You can work as a museum officer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have relevant volunteer experience or qualifications and you may like to consider a VET course. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.You can also become a museum officer through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Additional information
Most public galleries, museums and National Trust properties have volunteer programs, which usually include training and practical experience. Contact the volunteer coordinator at the organisations you are interested in for details.
Duties & Tasks of a Museum Officer
Museum officers:
- Clean fossil specimens, mould and restore skeletal parts, construct skeletal mounts, re-assemble fragmented specimens and create substitute pieces
- Construct models and make castings or moulds of artefacts and objects for display purposes
- Mount and prepare objects for display according to conservation requirements
- Design and build display cases, mounts and other exhibition presentation devices
- Design, prepare and install display hardware
- Receive, ship, pack and unpack exhibits
- Maintain museum files
- Supervise and assist other workers in the cleaning, cataloguing, labelling and storing of specimens.
Tasks
- Receiving, shipping, packing and unpacking exhibits
- Entering data into databases and editing computer records
- Cataloguing printed and recorded material
- Mounting and preparing objects for display
- Designing and arranging exhibit furnishings, display cases and display areas
- Ordering new library materials and maintaining library records and circulation systems
- Assisting in setting up lighting and display equipment
- Operating audiovisual and reprographic equipment
- Searching and verifying bibliographic data
Working conditions for a Museum Officer
Museum officers work mainly indoors, although extensive fieldwork may be required in some areas.
Employment Opportunities for a Museum Officer
Higher positions such as senior museum officer are filled by advertisement, and competition for vacancies is strong. Appointment to a particular level will depend on qualifications and experience. See the separate entry for Conservator for further information.
Specializations
Museum Education Officer
A museum education officer initiates, develops and administers special programmes to inform and educate visiting school groups and other members of the public about the collections and exhibitions. Education officers may also organise and travel with mobile exhibitions to suburban or country areas. Education officers often combine previous career experience in education, learning or community development work with a career in museums.
Museum Officer
Museum officers prepare specimens for collections, and construct and arrange museum and art gallery exhibits.
Average age
42
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
36% female
Average full-time
38 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
51%
Employment Size
270
Employment by state
ACT: 2.2%
NSW: 20.1%
NT: 0.9%
QLD: 10.6%
SA: 7.2%
TAS: 5.0%
VIC: 31.4%
WA: 22.6%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.4%
20-24: 2.9%
25-34: 10.9%
35-44: 17.5%
45-54: 31.1%
55-59: 18.9%
60-64: 12.6%
65 and Over: 5.8%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 39%
Bachelor degree: 19.7%
Certificate III/IV: 10.5%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 10.5%
Year 10 and below: 5.3%
Year 11: 4.4%
Year 12: 10.6%
