Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.

Unique opportunity to gain experience at the CSIRO - Australia’s leading science agency!

We are proud to pilot the Indigenous Career Explorer Program in Mineral Resources, a culturally safe entry pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to explore careers in the minerals and resources sector.

You do not need to know research language or have worked in a lab before. This program is built for people who want to learn by doing, grow confidence, and explore what a future in minerals and science could look like.

It gives you real workplace experience, strong cultural support, and time to discover what kind of work you enjoy.

What you gain:

• Hands on experience in mineral processing, laboratory analysis, sensing, sorting, and environmental research
• Support from experienced technicians and scientists in a collaborative team environment
• A stable base placement with structured shadowing experiences to explore different career paths
• Wraparound cultural, well-being, and professional support from day one

What is the Indigenous Career Explorer Program

The Indigenous Career Explorer Program is a paid casual pilot pathway into CSIRO Mineral Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are offering around 7 to 10 casual roles across Australia in Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales.

These are Monday to Friday roles in standard business hours. Because the roles are casual, they are designed to be flexible within those weekday hours. Participants can work up to five days a week, or fewer days if needed, depending on study, family, cultural, or community commitments. This makes the program suitable for school leavers, VET students, university students, and people who are studying in any way.

Participants are offered a 12 month casual contract and are placed in one main team, so you have a steady base and consistent support. While you are there, you will also get chances to explore other roles and opportunities in minerals through shadowing and short project experiences. This helps you understand what different jobs are like in real life, build confidence step by step, and find what fits you best.

In this program, you will gain hands on experience in mineral and environmental labs, learning things like:

• preparing and testing rock, ore, soil, and water samples
• supporting mineral processing and lab trials
• using scientific machines to measure and analyse materials
• recording results and learning how research supports industry and Country

If the right opportunity is inside CSIRO, we will support you to step into it. If the next step is outside CSIRO, we will still walk with you and help connect you to external opportunities for the next part of your career journey.

Who we are Looking For

We are looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are ready to start their career journey in a supportive lab and research environment.

No prior lab or minerals experience is required. If you are keen to learn, we will support you.

To be considered you will need:

• A basic education background or early work experience (school leaver, VET, uni, or community/work experience).
• Curiosity about science and a willingness to learn by doing.
• Interest in practical, hands on lab work, and confidence to do physical tasks like lifting, bending, walking, and repeating movements safely.
• Willingness to follow health and safety instructions and learn to use equipment properly.
• Ability to work well in a team, including taking day to day direction from researchers and technicians.
• Basic computer skills (Word, Outlook, Excel) or readiness to learn quickly, and an understanding that recording information accurately is part of the role.

Location: Brisbane, or Townsville region QLD; Kensington, WA and Sydney, NSW

Salary: AU$28.62 – AU$38.29 per hour, plus 25% casual loading and 15.4% superannuation

Duration: 12 months (casual contract)

Reference: 100224

What kind of experience you will gain

You will gain hands on experience in minerals and environmental research, working in safe, supportive labs with people who will teach you step by step.

Your main placement will be in one team for stability, and you will also have chances to explore other roles through shadowing and short project opportunities. This helps you see what different jobs are really like, build confidence, and work out what fits you best.

What you will do day to day

With support from your team, you will:

• Prepare samples like rock, ore, soil, and water so they are ready for testing.
• Help with practical lab tasks such as crushing, grinding, separating minerals, and trial work.
• Use lab machines and tools to measure samples, then record results clearly.
• Help keep the lab safe and running smoothly by setting up, cleaning, and checking equipment.

Who is eligible to apply?

CSIRO considers the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Citizenship.

The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact.

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

Where to from here!

If you are interested in the Indigenous Mineral Resources Career Explorer Program and meet the above candidate requirements, please apply online today!

If you require further information about this opportunity, please contact either Joanna Parr at joanna.parr@csiro.au or 0439 431 375; or the Indigenous Program Coordinator, Terrie Ann Cain at Terrieannn.cain@csiro.au or 0407 318 527 for more information.

Apply Online

To apply, you will be required to submit the following:

• Cover Letter – outlining the motivation for applying and aligning capabilities and experience relevant to the selection criteria. This document should not be longer than two pages.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume – outlining relevant experience, and education to the program.

If you experience difficulties applying online please email: careers.online@csiro.au.

Applications Close

18 January 2026, 11.00pm AEST