Work Health & Safety Officer

The Role

Defence's Work Health and Safety Risk Management Policy requires compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and applicable codes of practice. Supporting Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Training Force, the APS 5 WHS Officer plays a key role in identifying and understanding workplace hazards and risks, and in ensuring that effective systems, processes and controls are in place to minimise risks to health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable.

The role is responsible for developing and delivering high-quality WHS documentation, analysis, data and advice that enable informed decision-making, support effective risk management, and drive continuous improvement in health and safety outcomes across Training Force.

About our Team

The TrainSafE WHS Team comprises an APS 6 WHS Advisor (Team Leader) and two APS 5 WHS Officers who support the delivery of safe, compliant and effective training across Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Training Force. The team is responsible for WHS governance, policy implementation and assurance. APS5 WHS Officers monitor and respond to complex WHS issues, providing advice, guidance and assurance to commanders, managers and workers across a diverse training environment.

Additionally, APS 5 WHS Officers support consultation, collaboration and continuous improvement initiatives. These dynamic roles combine operational and administrative responsibilities, including managing incident reporting and investigations, analysing WHS data, providing practical WHS advice, and developing risk management solutions. Through these functions, the team contributes to informed decision-making, effective risk management and the continuous improvement of health and safety outcomes across Training Force.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a motivated and proactive WHS practitioner who is committed to fostering safe and healthy workplaces. The ideal candidate will hold, or be working towards, a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety and possess experience operating within a complex workplace environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgement, professionalism and the ability to build productive relationships across a diverse stakeholder environment.

They will be comfortable engaging with complex issues, balancing competing priorities, and providing practical WHS advice that supports both safety outcomes and organisational objectives. Experience in incident management, investigations, WHS governance or assurance activities will be highly regarded, together with a collaborative approach and commitment to achieving positive WHS outcomes.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers