What is the Australian Antarctic Division?
The Australian Antarctic Division is the government agency that leads Australia's Antarctic program. Based in Kingston, Tasmania, it runs research stations and scientific programs in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island.
Australia claims about 42 percent of Antarctica, known as the Australian Antarctic Territory, the largest share of any nation. The division manages Australia's activities there under the Antarctic Treaty, which reserves the continent for peace and science.
The division operates three permanent stations on the Antarctic continent: Mawson, Davis and Casey. It also runs a station on Macquarie Island, a sub-Antarctic island that is part of Tasmania.
Science in the ice
Researchers study climate change, ice sheets, sea ice, krill, whales, penguins and the Southern Ocean. Ice cores drilled in Antarctica provide records of the Earth's climate going back hundreds of thousands of years.
Australia's icebreaker RSV Nuyina began operating in 2021 and carries scientists, supplies and equipment to the stations. The ship includes laboratories for marine research.
Hobart is an important gateway to Antarctica, hosting ships, aircraft and research institutions. Australia's Antarctic program is part of a long history that began with expeditions such as Douglas Mawson's in 1911 to 1914.
Did You Know?
Mawson Station, established in 1954, is the oldest continuously operating station south of the Antarctic Circle.