How to become a Gallery or Museum Curator

Also called: Art Curator

Plans and organises a gallery or museum collection by drafting collection policies and arranging acquisitions of pieces.

Main tasks

• Plans and organises the acquisition of historical materials, objects, artworks, scientific materials and other forms of cultural materials, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander materials
• Plans the presentation and installation of artworks, and arranges the layout and lighting of historical, scientific or art displays
• Maintains records and catalogues acquisitions
• Ensures the overall care and preservation of collections
• Researches, compiles and prepares written information about catalogues
• Plans, organises, interprets and presents exhibitions and lectures
• Collaborates with other institutions and negotiates the loan of items
• May write grant applications for funding

Ways in

• University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Library and Information Services (BSB30420); Certificate III in Arts and Cultural Administration (CUA30620); Certificate II in Information and Cultural Services (CUA20520); 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)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $118,508 a year
• About 10,200 people work in this job group now, and about 13,200 are projected by 2035. (+29.1%)
• Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Related jobs

• Archaeologist
• Archivist
• Economist
• Heritage Consultant
• Historian

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Gallery or Museum Curator?

Ways in include: Arts & Humanities degrees; Certificate III in Library and Information Services; Certificate III in Arts and Cultural Administration.

How much does a Gallery or Museum Curator earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $118,508 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Gallery or Museum Curator a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 29% by 2035, from about 10,200 to about 13,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Gallery or Museum Curator?

Usually. 89% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Gallery or Museum Curator?

Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

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