research assistant

radiation therapist

signaller

registered nurse ii

practice nurse

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

A Typical Day at Work:
A mix of independent research, data analysis, and meetings, often navigating unnecessary bureaucracy and micromanagement. Progress was frequently hindered by internal politics and close-knit research clusters that resisted external input.

What I Learned:
Beyond advancing my bioinformatics expertise, I gained firsthand experience in dealing with workplace politics, navigating unethical complaint-handling processes, and understanding the stark contrast between institutional reputation and actual work culture.

Management:
Micromanaging, defensive, and more focused on protecting the brand than fostering a healthy research environment. Genuine concerns were often dismissed, and raising issues led to retaliation rather than constructive dialogue.

Workplace Culture:
Highly pretentious, where appearances and internal alliances mattered more than merit. Opportunities and recognition were often dictated by favoritism rather than contributions. There was little room for real collaboration unless one belonged to the right inner circles.

The Hardest Part of the Job:
Dealing with exclusion, micromanagement, and unethical handling of workplace issues. The resistance to new ideas and external perspectives made meaningful progress difficult.

The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:
The scientific challenges themselves—solving complex bioinformatics problems, working on high-impact cancer research, and developing new insights despite the toxic environment. Also, the moments of genuine collaboration with a few supportive colleagues who valued the work over politics.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I wish i could say. So far I have watched staff come and go so quickly, it’s faster than a traffic light. I work in an unbelievable toxic environment. I am still here because it it difficult getting something with my niche.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Senior staff and senior leaders. You will not progress forward unless you pamper these people with utter fawning over some of their ridiculous strategies, have a comfort for bullying and disregard to genuine enthusiasm.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
One statement - it is toxic, unfriendly behind your back, although pleasant in front of you. As for appraisals that are yearly, don’t expect to get one, until the director gets bad feedback on the hospital survey.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Always being careful about what I say, in case i offend someone with honesty and it is told to the leaders behind your back.

Whilst working in pharmacy is typically a thankless, stressful job this place takes the cake. Do not apply unless you never want to take any breaks, you’re okay with multiple breaches in the EBA (currently chasing up a significant sum in back pay with the union) and you can make your peace with relentless bullying that management/HR completely ignore.

If you’re looking to join a supportive culture where management actually care about their staff/their safety and are invested in training them AVOID THIS PLACE.

However, if you want to be stressed out and overworked until you finally burn yourself out - hope you don’t have any plans for weekends/public holidays/Xmas or Easter EVER - this is the place for you!

...and don’t even get me started on the hot mess that is payroll. Peter Mac can’t even get paying their staff right.

The staff at Peter MacCallum are those of people who really care about their jobs and show it daily in their roles in many different ways. It could be as simple as a smile or as complex as arranging an ambulance for an urgent transfer.  
During my time at Peter Mac I found everyone to be on the same page and thats why I never considered it to be work, it was just a wonderful place to be on a day to day basis.
Having the ability to assist the many patients that entered the clinic on a daily basis gave me insight to so many different people and what they had to endure in their life.
The staff at Peter Mac always did their very best for any of the patients that came in to the clinic, no matter how simple the appointment may have been or how very scary, the staff were always showing kindness and compassion.
I would walk back in to Peter MacCallum any day of the week.

Peter Mac hires people who are related to each other, or who are husbands or wives or otherwise have a connection, which means that when you work there it feels like you are a part of an extended family. This is great in terms of getting along well with everyone but if you do find yourself on the outer then the bullying can be severe. Imagine working as a team of 15 with 14 of them being married couples and you are the only one who isn't, and then you get some level of understanding of the bullying. Nonetheless, for the most part there isn't much bullying - only for those pushed on the outside. There are also a few here who engage in very corrupt activities, but they are in the minority. You feel like you are doing a good thing here.

Heavy work load.  Miserable work place. Charge nurse is an unpleasant individual who does not care for her staff, just her targets and company image.  Having managers in senior positions who were e.g bankers and not experienced nurses shows the kind of organisation this this,  You have inexperienced nurses in charge telling nurses with 20+ years of experience how to do their job and not listening to clinical concerns about patient safety or satisfaction. Most senior staff who join from other hospitals quickly leave as they know their registration is at risk and they won't be listened to. CEO and Chief nurse just as bad. A disaster waiting to happen. Get new nurse managers!

Since commencing in 1988 I have seen amazing advances in the treatment of cancer patients and the advances in research which has places Peter Mac at the forefront of oncology treatment in the world.

No two days were the same in my role as Manager Security and General Services.

The culture amongst clinical staff is one of caring and empathy towards the patients and their relatives.

The hardest part of the job was to see children struck down with cancer.

The most enjoyable part of the job was dealing with people, staff, patients and visitors.  I was able to suggest and make improvements in the field of security, cleaning and patient accommodation.

A day at Petermac for me consists of dealing with many costumer issues over a broad range of IT systems. Management are able to leave me and my co-workers to our day to day duties with confidence. The work environment and co-workers I find to be busy, but relaxed which I believe helps with productivity. The most difficult part of my job is the lack of staff, but I enjoy coming to work, because of the good work culture and environment.

I left the pharmacy department at Peter Mac to pursue career opportunities at another victorian public hospital. It wasn't until I left that I realised how good I had at PM, they supported my growth and development and provided research training. I was well supported in new roles. A far cry from the sink or swim attitude I found myselg in at the new hospital. I ended up back at PM :)

A great institute to work for, however, like most big institutions, a lot of time can be lost to administrative issues.  For the most part, the staff are great and the pay is higher than what is offered at other institutions, however, they preference offering contracts rather than permanent employment.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Research assistant 3 salaries reported	$92,927 per year
Radiation therapist 2 salaries reported	$77,298 per year
Signaller 7 salaries reported	$103,557 per year
Registered nurse ii 5 salaries reported	$94,400 per year
Practice nurse 1 salary reported	$118,880 per year

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