Are you ready to make a significant impact on the preservation and accessibility of First Nations cultural heritage? The Museums of History NSW is seeking a passionate Project Assistant to join their team in Sydney, focusing on First Nations Community Access to Archives. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the revitalisation of First Nations Languages and cultural materials, all while working in a supportive and culturally enriching environment.
The Project Assistant role at Museums of History NSW promises a competitive salary package, full-time temporary employment, and the chance to work on a groundbreaking project in collaboration with the Aboriginal Languages Trust. This is your chance to engage with Aboriginal communities, enhance your leadership skills, and gain invaluable experience in archival research and analysis.
For more insights on the NSW Government recruitment process, check out the Unofficial Guide to NSW Government Recruitment. Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to streamline your application with our free NSW cover-letter template.
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Project Assistant Salary and Overview
| Position Title | Project Assistant |
| Organisation / Entity | Museums of History NSW |
| Location | Sydney Region / Sydney City |
| Work Type | Contract / Temporary |
| Base Pay | From AUD $99,938.00 to $110,271.00 per year |
| Closing Date | 19/08/2025 – 10:00 AM |
About the Project Assistant at Museums of History NSW
The Project Assistant role is a vital part of the Museums of History NSW’s initiative to enhance First Nations access to archival documents. This project, in partnership with the Aboriginal Languages Trust, aims to provide culturally safe avenues for Aboriginal peoples to access materials from the State Archives Collection. As a Project Assistant, you will assist in researching and surfacing records relating to First Nations Peoples, their Languages, and histories, making these records discoverable via a digitisation project. You will also support community outreach initiatives, connecting First Nations communities to their cultural heritage.
Some jobs give you a pay cheque. This one gives you purpose. By helping to preserve and share First Nations languages, you’ll play a role in connecting the past, present, and future. You will receive hands-on training in working with state records, learn to digitise and protect them, and be guided by cultural mentors who will help you grow as a leader. Your work will build your own skills and leave a lasting mark—helping ensure these languages continue to be spoken and celebrated for generations to come.
Why Project Assistant Is a Great Opportunity
The Project Assistant position offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in a dynamic and culturally enriching environment. Here are some key benefits:
- Competitive remuneration package with annual leave loading and employer’s contribution to superannuation.
- Full-time temporary employment for 12 months with the possibility of extension.
- Opportunity to work across various locations in Sydney, engaging with diverse communities.
- Gain experience in archival research, digitisation, and community outreach.
- Ideal for individuals passionate about cultural preservation and community engagement.
If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to apply your project experience in a government setting, this 12-month role is a fantastic chance. It offers you the chance to gain valuable, hands-on government experience while building on the skills you’ve developed in the private sector. It’s also a great way to ‘test the waters’—if you enjoy the work, you can combine this experience with your private-sector background to position yourself as a strong candidate for future government roles.
Application Requirements for Project Assistant
Museums of History NSW Application Process
To give your application the strongest chance of success, take the time to follow the instructions carefully. Providing all required documents in the correct format helps ensure your application can be reviewed in full. Missing or incorrectly formatted documents may mean your application can’t be considered.
We’re looking forward to learning more about you, so please include:
- A current résumé with the contact details of two referees who can speak to your skills and experience.
- A cover letter (maximum two pages) that clearly addresses the key requirements of the position (see below).
What to Include in Your Project Assistant Cover Letter
To apply for the Project Assistant role, use your cover letter to introduce yourself to the Hiring Manager and clearly explain how your experience relates to this role. In your cover letter, make sure to use the exact language from the job ad wherever possible.
For this role, you must address all of the following capabilities:
- Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and accepted in the community.
- Demonstrated ability to liaise, engage and work collaboratively with Aboriginal Communities and relevant agencies in ensuring Culturally responsive services.
- Experience supporting a project team.
- Thorough knowledge and experience in delivering projects.
- Willingness to work across MHNSW sites and ability to travel to multiple locations.
If you’re keen to apply but not sure where to begin, download our proven NSW Government cover letter template. It’s completely free, fully editable, and designed to make your application process easier.
Museums of History NSW Candidate Profile — Project Assistant
Jacob is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a strong background in community engagement and archival research. Having previously worked on projects that supported cultural preservation in partnership with local Aboriginal organisations, he brings a deep respect for First Nations histories and protocols. Skilled in both research and digitisation processes, Jacob is adept at uncovering and organising historical records to make them accessible to diverse audiences. His ability to build trust with community members, combined with his organisational skills, makes him well-suited to supporting the Museums of History NSW’s mission to enhance First Nations access to archival materials.
Museums of History NSW Project Assistant Example Cover Letter
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am proud to apply for the Project Assistant role with Museums of History NSW. I am a proud Wiradjuri man, deeply connected to my community and culture, and recognised as an active member within it. This position speaks strongly to my passion for preserving and sharing First Nations languages, histories, and cultural knowledge.
I will bring to this role my ability to liaise, engage, and work collaboratively with Aboriginal communities and relevant agencies to ensure culturally responsive services. In my previous role with a regional heritage organisation, I coordinated a project to collect oral histories from Elders in partnership with the local Aboriginal Land Council. I began by building trust through regular yarning circles and meetings, listening to community priorities. I worked closely with cultural advisors to ensure all interviews were conducted in a culturally safe way, respecting community protocols around language use and knowledge sharing. As a result, the project produced a digital archive of 35 recorded histories, which the community continues to access and contribute to today.
In another instance, I collaborated with a state education department on a cultural awareness training program for staff. I engaged Aboriginal community leaders, Elders, and educators to co-design the training content. I ensured the process was inclusive, allowing community members to review and approve materials before use. The program reached over 200 staff and was praised by both participants and community representatives for its authenticity and respectfulness, leading to its adoption as an ongoing part of staff induction.
I will also bring experience supporting a project team. While working on a digitisation initiative for a local library service, I provided administrative, research, and technical support to a multi-disciplinary team. I coordinated meeting schedules, maintained project documentation, and assisted with data entry for over 5,000 scanned archival items. When unexpected equipment issues threatened project deadlines, I researched and sourced a temporary scanner, enabling the team to stay on track. This proactive approach ensured all deliverables were met on time and within budget.
In addition, I have a thorough knowledge and experience in delivering projects from concept to completion. One example was a cultural mapping project that documented Aboriginal heritage sites in a rural shire. I led planning sessions with stakeholders, secured necessary permissions, managed fieldwork schedules, and coordinated with GIS specialists to create an interactive map. My careful oversight ensured the project met all milestones and resulted in a publicly accessible resource that is now used by schools and cultural organisations.
I am fully willing and able to work across MHNSW sites and travel to multiple locations as required. I hold a current driver’s licence and have successfully managed roles involving regular travel between regional and metropolitan areas, ensuring flexibility and reliability in meeting project needs.
I would be proud to bring my skills, experience, and cultural knowledge to this important initiative. This program holds deep significance for our communities, playing a vital role in protecting cultural heritage, reconnecting people with their languages, and ensuring future generations can access and celebrate their history. It would be an honour to contribute to and strengthen this work for the benefit of both present and future generations.
Kind regards,
Jacob
How to Use the STAR Method for Project Assistant Applications
The STAR method is a simple and effective way to structure examples in your application so that your skills and achievements are clear. STAR stands for:
- Situation – Describe the background or context.
- Task – Explain your responsibility or goal.
- Action – Detail the steps you took to address the situation.
- Result – Share the outcome, ideally with measurable or tangible benefits.
When you use STAR, each example becomes a short story that shows not just what you did, but how you did it and why it mattered.
Example from Jacob’s Cover Letter – addressing the requirement to liaise, engage, and work collaboratively with Aboriginal communities:
- Situation: Jacob worked with a regional heritage organisation on a project to collect oral histories from Elders in partnership with the local Aboriginal Land Council.
- Task: He needed to gather these histories in a culturally safe and respectful way, ensuring community ownership of the process.
- Action: Jacob held yarning circles to build trust, listened to community priorities, and worked closely with cultural advisors to follow protocols around language and knowledge sharing.
- Result: The project produced a digital archive of 35 recorded histories, now used and maintained by the community.
This structure makes it easy for selection panels to follow your examples, see your skills in action, and recognise the value you can bring to the role.
For more guidance, refer to our STAR Method Guide.
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