Leading
Australia’s activities in Antarctica, from scientific research through to logistics and infrastructure works, are coordinated through the Australian Antarctic Program.
The program is highly collaborative, with partnerships across government and more than 150 national and international research institutions. Australia also works with other countries’ Antarctic programs to run joint international scientific and logistical operations.
Australia’s national interests and vision for future engagement in Antarctica are set out in the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan. The plan recognises Australia’s strong strategic and scientific interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and aims to build Australia’s role as a leader in the region.
Seeking answers
By studying the region, we can unlock the secrets of the past and predict future changes. Antarctic science tells us how the Southern Ocean and Antarctic icesheets respond to rising temperatures and greenhouse gases and how we might be affected by climate change.
From the smallest microbes, to krill (the keystone species of the Antarctic ecosystem), to blue whales (the largest animals to have ever existed), the research conducted through the Australian Antarctic Program helps protect the unique environment and biological systems of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
This research enables Australia to contribute to and strengthen the Antarctic Treaty system and its environmental protection regime. The Antarctic Treaty establishes Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science and puts in place principles for the governance of the region.
Major campaigns
Denman Marine and Terrestrial Campaign
RSV Nuyina’s first ever dedicated marine science voyage (March-May 2025) studied the features, processes and changes of the Denman Glacier, to support national and global decision-making about climate changes responses and adaptation.
The 60-day voyage supported researchers from the Australian Antarctic Division, University of Tasmania and other programs, including the two Special Research Initiatives funded by the Australian Research Council and the Australian Science Collaboration Initiative funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
Land-based scientific work at Denman Glacier (2022-2025) aimed to increase our understanding of the Denman Glacier's history and stability through research projects staged from a deep field camp at Bunger Hills, about 450 kilometres west of Casey research station.
Learn more in our feature Nudging a Sleeping Giant.
Million Year Ice Core (MYIC) Project
An inland research station at Dome C North, 1200 km from Casey research station, is the site of Australia's Million Year Ice Core project. The project aims to retrieve ice cores containing trapped gases and other chemicals that provide a continuous record of Earth's climate history, dating back 1-2 million years. This timeframe overlaps a period in Earth’s history when there was a change in the timing and intensity of ice age cycles, with accompanying long-term changes in temperature and greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
The inland station and research efforts are supported by a tractor-traverse capability, with tractors towing sleds carrying camp infrastructure, fuel, food and science equipment, to deliver to the site each summer before drilling commences.
Learn more in our feature Secrets of the Ice.
Other science
Other science activities include ongoing monitoring of wildlife and the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment, sea-ice research, hydrography to map the seafloor for research and to improve navigational charts (for example, the AusSeabed initiative), cleaning up Antarctica (see for example, Microscopic Allies and remediation research) and monitoring for avian influenza (for example, in East Antarctic seabird colonies).
Making it happen
Antarctica is the most remote and challenging place on the planet. The Australian Antarctic Program has air and sea transport to get expeditioners south and enable them to travel around the icy continent.
Australia’s research icebreaker vessel RSV Nuyina is the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and is the central platform of our Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research.
Nuyina (pronounced noy‑yee‑nah) means ‘southern lights’ in palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines. The southern lights, also known as aurora australis, are a natural light display formed over Antarctica that reaches northwards to Australian – and particularly Tasmanian – skies.
The Australian Antarctic Program also uses aircraft to fly people and equipment between Hobart and Wilkins Aerodrome, near Casey research station. The 3.5 kilometre glacial runway operates over the summer months. Smaller planes and helicopters fly between our stations and field sites.
Our people and stations
Australia maintains three year-round research stations, Casey, Davis and Mawson and one on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Remote field bases operate during the summer research season, supporting coastal, inland and traverse operations.
The population at each station ranges between 40 and 100 expeditioners over summer, and 15 to 20 over the winter months. Each season more than 500 expeditioners travel south with the Australian Antarctic Program.
Each station is like a small town and we have a diverse and dedicated workforce. There’s station leaders, tradespeople, scientists, doctors, chefs and communications experts. We also have a team of people supporting our shipping and aviation activities. Expeditioners are supported by head office staff experienced in Antarctic policy, law, operations, medicine and science.