Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation
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    Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation
    (33 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation

    2.633 ratings in total
    5
    3
    4
    8
    3
    6
    2
    6
    1
    10
    70%
    Rate salary as high or average
    45%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.7(32 ratings)
    Career development
    2.3(32 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.2(31 ratings)
    Management
    2.4(32 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.0(32 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.3(31 ratings)
    Ratings for Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

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    1.0
    Engineering Role
    Mar 2026
    Lucas Heights NSW 22346 to 7 years in the role, former employee
    Do not work there it is very toxic and unsafe practices
    The good thingsThe exceptional talent of engineers in various disciplines
    The challengesMany things you would need a broom to clear it out very toxic culture. Promote people who have no idea. Plenty of safety concerns. Poor management with little to no credentials or experience.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Contractor
    Oct 2025
    Lucas Heights NSW 2234Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Nursing home waiting room for mediocre people with extraordinary egos
    The good thingsOK work life balance
    The challengesTerrible management with zero accountability. They will promise a contract, squeeze you dry then throw you out. Half the staff who cares can't get anything done due to horrendous ego-fueled politics, while the other half spend their time try to buddy up with management while doing zero work and get all the praise. Management are filled with people who have worked there far too long to care (35years+). Bottom line, do not join as a contractor. Get a permanent role and coast for 30 years if you have no ambitions or goals for your life. Anyone else steer clear
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Engineering Role
    Oct 2025
    Lucas Heights NSW 22343 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Awful place to work due to terrible management and no forward progression based on your skills
    The good thingsIt feels like a community, met some really lovely people.
    The challengesThe challenges are never ending at ANSTO. There is terrible leadership. Senior management (band 8+ and executives) is so out of touch with reality they continue to make uninformed decisions. I have never experienced such incompetent, arrogant, unsupportive and dismissive people in a workplace. They refuse to listen to the people on the ground and just continue bolstering their own egos and delusions amongst each other instead of fixing the real problems. The culture of the organisation is abysmal due to this. Anyone who has any career goals or knowledge is forced to put them away or leave because it is unacceptable to challenge the incompetent managers. HR has no interest in supporting employees and is only there to support management. Development opportunities are far and few between, it is a fight to get anything even if it is role required.
    4 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Senior Science Research Specialist
    Aug 2025
    Lucas Heights NSW 223419 to 20 years in the role, current employee
    ANSTO, a perverse version of natural selection.
    The good thingsGreat experience for early career, interns and graduate students. Lots of very intelligent people, some nice experimental equipment, and good flexibility around working hours.
    The challengesFrom line management up to executive level, the standard is terrible. Generally managers start as scientists and over time are moved into management roles. As a very large generality, scientists and people skills are not normally found in the same sentence. I've been at ANSTO for 20 years, of 7 managers 1 was outstanding, 5 slightly below average to poor, and 1 toxic. I've seen a lot of very good scientists come and go due to poor career progression.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Radionuclide Metrology Industry Scientist
    Nov 2024
    Lucas Heights NSW 2234Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Worst place I have ever worked...toxic
    The good thingsColleague (some), the actual role
    The challengesManagement and toxic culture. Nepotism is ripe. You won't get anywhere unless you are besties with management. Don't expect hard work orth ethics
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Research
    Feb 2024
    Lucas Heights NSW 2234Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    I made a big mistake joining, I wish I had read the reviews first! Senior management either don't care or don't know how to fix the culture and ok the actions of middle management. I'm glad I'm out, I do not recommend.
    The good thingsInteresting field of research. Flexible work arrangements were on par with other organisations. I could seek out people in other teams for collaboration.
    The challengesArchaic middle management, just ticking off days until retirement. Actively hostile to ideas or sharing of previous experience. Extremely poor culture, siloism and fighting between silos. No training and support or opportunities for development. Extreme lack of knowledge of modern industry practices in my area. Below average pay.
    11 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Security
    Dec 2023
    Lucas Heights NSW 22343 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    My experience has been disappointing. There has been a revolving door of contractors through this area, there was never any morale or consideration for people's wellbeing or mental health.
    The good thingsDiverse organisation. Sometimes there may be opportunities around the site to move into, however as a contractor you are not able to see these. You would find out through word of mouth or if you have contacts around the site. Otherwise, you need to apply with the general public.
    The challengesNo room for growth, no loyalties for long standing contractors. Pay is below average; management doesn't communicate ANYTHING. Double standards (some people can work from home and others can't). Toxic work environment, always whispering conversations being had in an office where people can hear, employees get discussed in areas that can be overheard by others.
    8 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Manager
    Jul 2023
    Lucas Heights NSW 22341 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Very poor culture, ownership and accountability at all levels of the organisation. Made a really bad mistake joining the organisation in the first place thinking it will be good challenge and interesting, however I don't recommend this organisation to anyone who believes in work excellence, continuous improvement and high level of performance.
    The good thingsThere are lot of friendly people. They pay 15.4% super. Lots of opportunities for the organisation to improve its performance however leadership and culture really poor.
    The challengesManagement is very laid back. Teams work in silos. Performance is poorly managed with no to low accountability. Virtually none to nil training & development opportunities apart from inhouse safety training.
    8 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Finance
    Sep 2022
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Worst place I have worked - very bad culture and management.
    The good thingsWork life balance and flexible wfh arrangements
    The challengesWorst old school management who care nil about staff .. no career cross training or development .. will pay more to recruit from outside before considering in-house knowledge and expertise.. no communication or team environment - very poorly managed and run
    11 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Researcher
    Apr 2021
    current employee
    A challenging workplace, too few carry the load. Good as a starting point or stopover in your career.
    The good thingsNice campus with lots of greenery. Some great scientific research and pockets of excellence with worldclass researchers.
    The challengesLack of clarity on what the organisation should do or be. Poor decisions have left the organisation financially reeling. Favourtism means advancing your career is difficult. Toxic culture is evident but HR aren't equipped to handle it and managers are too blasé to do anything. Below average pay for high performers so they often move on.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Scientist
    Nov 2019
    Very interesting workplace, but not for those motivated by high pay
    The good thingsGreat variety of projects
    The challengesSlow career progression
    3 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Project Management Officer
    Sep 2019
    Getting there
    The good thingsPay and conditions. Cutting edge work
    The challengesProject delivery is hampered by public servant mentality ..missing deadlines doesnt worry anyone as its not thier money.
    4 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Administration Role
    May 2019
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Government institution!
    The good thingsIf you live local its very convenient
    The challengesVery institutionalised - they don't deal with problematic people, just shift them around
    7 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Electronics Engineer
    May 2019
    Good people. Relaxed environment.
    The good thingsFlexible working environment
    The challengesDid not find that challenging
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Program Manager Shared Services
    Dec 2018
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Enjoyed working with the management teams to develop the organisation.
    The good thingsVery flexible in there attitudes to home working, work is interesting and management can be supportive
    The challengesTypical government organisation however more advanced in there levels of digitisation
    2.0
    Radiation Physics
    Aug 2018
    Not a positive one
    The good thingsReally interesting and varied work at a science level. The people, however only those in roles below supervisory level
    The challengesYou need a very thick skin to survive, intimidation and favoritism run deep. Poor culture
    9 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Mechanical Project Engineer
    Feb 2018
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Excellent experience, great work life balance - although sometimes suffers from bureaucratic inertia
    The good thingsVery interesting place to work, and a very strong company culture around work life balance and employee welfare.
    The challengesThe flip side of the excellent working conditions is a tendency to tolerate sub-par performance. This means things can be very slow to get done (even simple things) and your work can be stymied by a chain dragging employee
    2 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Materials Engineering
    Feb 2018
    Some good opportunities and nice toys
    The good thingsSome flexible working hours
    The challengesManagement lacks mission and vision
    2 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Mechanical Designer
    Nov 2017
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Mind expanding learning experience.
    The good thingsAmazing professionals at all levels, I learnt and grew so much during my time there.
    The challengesBeing public sector there is a bureaucratic flavour to everything.
    3.0
    Support
    Nov 2017
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Overworked and unappreciated
    The good thingsGood people, good place to learn new things
    The challengesOverworked with hardly any recognition
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Reactor operator
    Aug 2017
    7 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    Loved working there, made some good friends and learned a lot.
    The good thingsGood conditions and people
    The challengesSalary for the level of responsibility was a little low compared to other employers.
    1.0
    Technical
    Jul 2016
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    The emperor has no clothes.
    The good thingsThe people who care are great.
    The challengesThe people who don't care and the management that can't manage them and have no idea what to do with the assets entrusted to them.
    6 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Production Operator
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Best place to develop a science career in Australia. Still has many speed bumps...
    The good thingsPay is great if you can get on shift with overtime. Interesting a lot of the time. You can push yourself onto projects sometimes and change things for the better.
    The challengesThe people and culture that has existed for the past 50 years. It needs a drastic change with more people from external companies to join.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    HR reporting analyst/Workforce planning coordinator
    Feb 2016
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Aganisingly boring
    The good thingsWas close to home, nice community.
    The challengesSocializing with colleagues was non existent
    2 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Senior Technical Officer
    Feb 2016
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    great environment but stifling
    The good thingsExcellent types of work
    The challengesmoving up and around is not really an option
    5.0
    Nuclear Mechanical Engineering Unit Manager
    Feb 2016
    7 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    A place for high calibre engineers and scientists.
    The good thingsHighly technical. World leading science and technology.
    The challengesInventing engineering solutions.
    5.0
    AP Supervisor
    Sep 2015
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    I had a great experience and learnt alot on the scientific side of ANSTO and and at the end of the day, we-(Finance dept) had to account for all the workings of ANSTO
    The good thingsWork/life balance and diversity and equal opportunity - I enjoyed working at ANSTO as it had a great culture of staff empowerment and giving us the opportunity to grow and explore avenues of working with other teams/Departments
    The challengesThe challenges were in the work balance, being a Federal government funded research organisation, ANSTO and many other Federal Govt Agencies were always to be accountable to the government of the day for its statutory obligations
    4.0
    Technician
    Sep 2015
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Enjoyable work, inteligent workmates and flexibility in the work hours.
    The good thingsAccess to bush-land and sports facilities. Away from the CBD but not too far.
    The challengesIt is very much a research facility and research staff are better looked after than support staff. Progress can be slow in a government organisation.
    2.0
    Site Supervisor
    Sep 2015
    After working for ANSTO for an extended period he final experience was a dragged out hell.
    The good thingsA small few of the 1300 staff members
    The challengesDealing with a uncaring and autocratic management
    3 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Engineer
    Sep 2015
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    A fairly typical government organisation.
    The good thingsGood work/life balance, opportunities for travel and professional development.
    The challengesUncertainty around funding and therefore job security for employees on fixed term contracts. Poor performance is not well managed. Frequent changes to organisational structure.
    3 people found this helpful
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