How to become a Conservator
Investigates, documents, treats and prevents damage to material culture to facilitate access for people to whom they hold significance.
Main tasks
- Examines and documents objects, including condition surveys and reports
- Recommends appropriate materials and environments for storage, display and other contexts
- Researches, tests and applies treatments to stabilise, clean, repair, restore or activate objects
- Assesses and manages physical risks to cultural heritage objects and collections
- Analyses, monitors and manages storage, display and transport of material culture
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts (CUA20420); Certificate IV in Arts and Cultural Administration (CUA40820); Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts Industry Work (CUA50620); Diploma of Arts and Cultural Management (CUA51420); Certificate III in Arts and Cultural Administration (CUA30620)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $96,096 a year
- About 14,900 people work in this job group now, and about 18,500 are projected by 2035. (+24.7%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Conservator?
Ways in include: Science degrees; Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts; Certificate IV in Arts and Cultural Administration.
How much does a Conservator earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $96,096 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Conservator a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 25% by 2035, from about 14,900 to about 18,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Conservator?
Usually. 79% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Conservator?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04