Outcome 3: Antarctica
Advancement of Australia’s strategic, scientific, environmental and economic interests in the
Antarctic by protecting, administering and researching the region.
Main responsibilities for this outcome
Programme 3.1: Antarctica: Science, Policy and Presence
Undertake scientific research in Antarctica, sub-Antarctic
Islands and the Southern Ocean.
Australian Antarctic Division
Run three research stations on the Antarctic continent and one
station on Macquarie Island, deep field science camps and the
required logistics.
Administer the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory
of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
Develop and implement policy for Australia’s presence and
activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
Represent Australia’s interests in international Antarctic
forums and negotiations.
Protect the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment.
Programme 3.1: Antarctica: Science, Policy and Presence
Objectives
Australia’s Antarctic programme objectives are based on the region’s strategic, scientific,
environmental and economic importance for Australia. They include:

conducting scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean that supports
national policy and environmental management priorities, in particular taking
advantage of the special opportunities the Antarctic offers for globally significant and
coordinated research

preserving our sovereignty over the Australian Antarctic Territory, including our
sovereign rights over adjacent offshore areas

protecting the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean environment, having regard to its
special qualities and effects on our region

contributing to maintaining Antarctica’s freedom from strategic and/or political
confrontation

being informed about, and able to influence, developments in a region geographically
proximate to Australia

facilitating the derivation of any reasonable economic benefits from living and nonliving resources of the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean (excluding deriving benefits
from mining and oil drilling in the Antarctic Treaty area).
Results for deliverables and key performance indicators
Programme 3.1: Antarctica: Science, Policy and Presence
Deliverables
2013–14 results
Deliver high priority Australian
Antarctic scientific research in
accordance with the goals of the
Australian Antarctic Science
Strategic Plan 2011–12 to 2020–21.
The Australian Antarctic science programme undertook
66 science projects led by Australian researchers from
20 Australian institutions and five international
institutions. Projects collaborated with 97 international
institutions from 22 countries. Overall, 152 students
(109 PhD candidates) were associated with this work.
Support delivery of a 20 Year
Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan.
The Australian Antarctic Division provided secretariat,
travel and other services to support the Minister’s chief
inquirer,
Dr Tony Press, in the development of the plan. The
final report was provided to the Minister in July 2014.
Protect the Antarctic environment
and undertake work of practical,
economic and international
significance including compliance
with all Australian Antarctic
environmental legislation.
Enhanced international protection of Cape Denison and
Mawson’s Huts was achieved following an Australian
proposal to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.
Australia also worked with other Antarctic nations to
heighten protection for other sites of high conservation
value at Amanda Bay and in the Larsemann Hills.
Australia led work to further develop the Committee for
Environmental Protection’s Clean-Up Manual, to
support efforts to clean up and remediate formerly used
Antarctic sites.
The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine
Reserve was extended by 6200 km² following a
scientific assessment that determined the area has
outstanding and representative ecosystems and
distinct benthic habitats and species, and following
extensive consultation with stakeholders.
Pursue Australia’s Antarctic policy
objectives through participation in
the Antarctic Treaty system and
related fora, including meetings of:

the Antarctic Treaty Consultative
Parties and the Committee for
Environmental Protection

the Commission for the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources

the Scientific Committee on
Antarctic Research
The Department was active and influential in advancing
Australia’s interests in these meetings.

the Council of Managers of
National Antarctic Programs

the Agreement on the
Conservation of Albatrosses and
Petrels

the Scientific Committee of the
International Whaling
Commission.
Administer the Australian Antarctic
Territory and the Territory of Heard
Island and McDonald Islands,
including the authorisation and
management of Australian activities
in accordance with relevant
legislation and environmental
protection measures.
The territories were administered in accordance with
relevant legislation and environment protection
measures.
Maintain three stations in the
Australian Antarctic Territory and
one station in the sub-Antarctic,
listed below:
The four permanent research stations were maintained,
providing a permanent presence and support for
research.

Casey Station (Antarctica)

Davis Station (Antarctica)

Mawson Station (Antarctica)

Macquarie Island Station
(sub-Antarctic).
Operate a transport and logistics
network using shipping and air
services to:

transport expeditioners and
cargo between Australia,
Antarctica and
sub-Antarctic islands

support scientific research in
Antarctica and the Southern
Ocean.
A total of 193 shipping days on the Aurora Australis
and L’Astrolabe supported Australia’s Antarctic
programme. A shorter season was planned utilising the
Aurora Australis but major schedule changes were
required throughout the season. Unseasonably thick
ice delayed voyages early in the season. Assistance
provided (under the direction of the Australian Maritime
Safety Authority) to a stricken vessel (the Akademik
Shokalskiy) in December 2013 caused further
disruption. The planned overwater resupply of Mawson
Station was abandoned as heavy ice prevented
harbour access. This necessitated further schedule
changes to support a dedicated long-range fly-off
voyage to ensure station operations were maintained.
Eleven intercontinental flights were conducted in
support of Australia’s Antarctic programme: nine
scheduled flights between Hobart and Wilkins
Aerodrome, one unscheduled medical evacuation flight
and one flight positioning Australian expeditioners at
the US McMurdo Station before travelling on to Casey
Station on US transport or Australian Antarctic Division
chartered fixed-wing aircraft.
A further three flights were undertaken through the
Antarctic Airlink programme to transfer passengers to
Casey Station and other Antarctic destinations via the
US ice runway at McMurdo Station.
Deliverables
Participation in key Antarctic Treaty related
forums (% attended).
Scientists active in Antarctica, the subAntarctic and the Southern Ocean during the
financial year.
Permanent stations operated, maintained
and resupplied.
Shipping days in support of Australia’s
Antarctic programme.
2013–14
Budget
target
2013–14 results
100 100
80 85
4 4
180 193
Flights between Hobart and Casey stations
(return flights).
15 11
Volume of cargo transported to Australia’s
Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations (cubic
metres).
10 000 10 984
Station utilisation (occupied bed nights).
40 000 43 910
Flights were reduced due to the
Wilkins runway being affected by
warmer temperatures and
resultant melt. This meant the
runway was closed through
January 2014.
There was an increased winter
population at Macquarie Island
due to the Macquarie Island
Pest Eradication Project and a
summer deep field programme
at Aurora Basin North.
Key performance indicators
2013–14 results
Internationally recognised scientific research in
Antarctica and the Southern Ocean will be
measured by the number of published scientific
papers and the number of international
institutions collaborating in the Australian
Antarctic programme.
There were 165 scientific publications,
including 87 peer reviewed papers, and 97
international institutions collaborated with
projects undertaken within the programme.
Enhanced Australian influence in the Antarctic
Treaty system including through participation in
its various fora as indicated by the extent to
which Australia’s objectives are achieved and
the number of senior positions (e.g.
Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson) held by
Australia.
In 2013–14 the Department advanced
Australia’s interests in the forums of the
Antarctic Treaty system through leadership
and active participation in the meetings for
each of the agreements. Australia was
successful in achieving its objectives in
these meetings.
Two senior positions in these forums are
now held by Australia.
Australia’s Antarctic programme complies with
all Australian Antarctic environmental
legislation. The programme’s target is 100%
compliance.
Key performance indicators
Compliance auditing identified nine
instances of minor non-compliances with
permit conditions. These were all of an
administrative/technical nature. One other
instance of non-compliance with
environmental legislation was identified. In
each case the instances were investigated
and steps taken to prevent similar noncompliances in the future.
2013–14
Budget
target
2013–14 results
Scientific publications produced in the
previous calendar year.*
150 165
International institutions collaborating in the
Australian Antarctic programme.*
100 97 international institutions from
22 countries. This number has
increased from 71 last year.
Senior positions held on Antarctic Treaty
related organisations.
Australian Antarctic programme compliance
with Antarctic environmental legislation (%).
2 2
100 Compliance auditing identified
nine instances of minor noncompliances with permit
conditions. These were all of an
administrative/technical nature.
One other instance of noncompliance with environmental
legislation was identified. In each
case the instances were
investigated and steps taken to
prevent similar non-compliances
in the future.
Number of expeditioners transported to
Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic
stations (round trips).
350 423
Environmental authorisations assessed
relating to tourism.
6 8
There was an increased winter
population at Macquarie Island
due to the Macquarie Island Pest
Eradication Project and a
summer deep field programme
at Aurora Basin North.
* These figures have been revised in response to the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan 2011–12 to 2020–
21, which represents a refocusing of priorities.