Clothing fundamentals at a glance

Note: This page is desigend to give the basic information on clothing at a glance. More detailed information is available in the pages that follow.

All expeditioners are issued with cold weather protective clothing. Our clothing range has been developed to meet the special needs of expeditioners at stations and in the field.

If worn properly, your clothing provided will give optimum protection in all conditions. Most issued clothing remains the property of the AAD and must be returned at the end of your expedition (how this happens will depend on how and when you return).

Yo will be given training at different times on how best to use the clothing supplied. Your best resources for what to wear are fellow expeditioners who have been south before and your field training officers (FTOs).

Survival clothing

Each expeditioner is kitted with survival clothing. This clothing is to be stored in the red survival kit bag provided by the AAD. All expeditioners must keep this clothing available when travelling on AAD managed ships and planes.

Information on the survival kit bag and other clothing is provided at the time of kitting.

You must have your survival clothing at emergency musters.

Appointments

Clothing appointments for kitting out will be coordinated with your supervisor to fit around your training schedule. Alternatively, you may need to make an appointment yourself. If you need to book or change an appointment, contact kitting@aad.gov.au or by phone on 03 6232 3263.  

The Antarctic Division clothing store is located on the ground floor of the Walter Hannam building, at the Kingston head office.

Station

Each station carries a limited range of items to replace lost or damaged articles. Replacements of worn items will be permitted when the station leader is convinced that the worn articles have suffered reasonable wear and are beyond normal repair.

Clothing returns

Expeditioners are required to return most of the issued clothing. At the time of issue you will sign an agreement which states what you can and can't keep. Expeditioners will be asked to pay for any outstanding clothing items that don't get returned.

Online sizing in AAO

Once you have access to Australian Antarctica Online, fill in your personal profile and your clothing details, this will allow the Clothing Store to prepare for your kitting appointment. Make sure that you select EXPEDITIONER when allocating your role.

Clothing templates

The AAD provides clothing specific to each working task and environment. Not every expeditioner will be issued with the same clothing. You will be allocated a template which defines what your individual issued kit will contain. We have developed these templates over many years, after extensive consultation with expeditioners like you.

We need feedback on your clothing to ensure that we provide you with the appropriate protective clothing for your safety and comfort.

Personal clothing

Buildings in Antarctica are well heated and expeditioners need only take their own casual clothing with them. Specialised recreational clothing is not provided, so we advise you bring your own. However the clothing provided is more than adequate for most recreational pursuits. The list below suggests a few items that previous expeditioners have taken:

• Light weight windproof jacket;
• Hut boots or slippers;
• Day pack or bum bag;
• Walking boots (especially if going to Davis. Walking boots are only issued to people going to Macquarie Is.);
• Polypropylene thermals if you prefer these over the issued fine merino wool thermals;
• Your favourite beanie;
• Personal sunglasses (as a backup to the issued ones), and;
• Micro fleece top and pants, if you like additional layers.

Important Quarantine Note:

Personal clothing, footwear, walking poles, tripods, packs and bags must be clean before packing as cargo and taking as personal luggage. Otherwise, purchase new items to reduce the risk of alien introductions. Pay particular attention to Velcro and the inside of pockets, and any soil or seeds stuck on footwear. Further information can be obtained from the AAD web pages and the Environmental Manager.

Minor Adjustments

The AAD employs a sewing specialist. If you require minor adjustments, please organise this at the time of kitting. We will try and accommodate your requests where possible. Each station is equipped with sewing machines and supplies for repairs.

Prescription sunglasses

If you are employed by the AAD and wear prescription glasses, you may be entitled to one pair of prescription sun glasses. You will need to discuss this with the OH&S Manager.

Cargo

Your survival clothing is to be included in your carry-on luggage. Other expedition clothing will need to be put into cargo. Cargo cut-off dates are available on the web (see Cargo cut-off dates). For further information on cargo see the cargo and freight web pages or contact by web form M4 Cargo.

Any Other Questions: Can be directed to Snr Station Support Officer (Clothing and Food Manager) (03) 6232 3371