Pietro Baracchi, director of the Melbourne Observatory, supervised training in astronomical work. Magnetic training was provided by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institute. Joseph Baldwin (Melbourne Observatory) instructed on use of magnetographs, and Professor James Pollock advised on wireless ‘and other physical subjects’.

Training for biological work was general and practical. Expeditioners were expected to be competent collectors and preserver. They would secure the specimens for experts back in Australasia, who would then have the task of incorporating them into broader schemes and systems.

Charles Hedley and Henry Grant from the Australian Museum helped train the biological staff. As well as the biologists Hunter, Laseron, Hamilton, and Harrisson, these included two of the expedition’s surgeons — Archibald McLean and Sydney Jones, who were also expected to conduct various types of biological work. All received practical instruction in skinning and preservation.

Additional scientific advice was provided by Professors Edgeworth David (geology) William Haswell (biology) and Henry Hunt (meteorology).