The key duties of the position include:
The Role
An APS 5 WHS Officer is accountable under broad direction to undertake complex work health and safety activities. They will work within a framework of legislation, established principles, work practices and procedures in accordance with Defence’s mission and business objectives.
Duties will include:
* Deliver WHS Risk Management and Compliance Activities.
* Lead and support WHS risk management processes, including hazard identification, risk assessments, safety inspections, and monitoring compliance with Defence WHS legislation, policies, and reporting tools such as SENTINEL.
* Ensure training environments, ranges, and workplaces meet safety obligations.
* Conduct Incident Reporting, Investigation, and Analysis.
* Manage incident reporting through Sentinel, undertake investigations, identify causal factors, and assist in developing corrective actions.
* Provide advice to supervisors and contribute to continuous safety improvement across LWC training activities.
* Provide WHS Advice, Support, and Stakeholder Engagement.
* Provide timely, practical WHS advice to staff, instructors, and commanders.
* Build strong relationships across units, influence safe behaviours, support WHS committees, and contribute to safety culture within a high tempo training environment.
About our Team
The Land Warfare Centre trains and educates Australian Army Soldiers and Officers in the Foundation (all-corps) skills and knowledge required at the next higher rank, in order to meet Army’s need for excellent leaders focused on winning armed conflict. The Headquarters Land Warfare Centre team is a small but motivated and experienced cohort, comprising uniformed and APS members.
The climate within the team espouses an adult workplace environment and a respectful open discourse between its members. Beyond the broader Defence Values, the team places large emphasis on trust, effective communications, teamwork, innovation, flexibility, initiative and ownership. As the WHS Officer, you will be working within the Headquarters Land Warfare Centre. The Headquarters consists of both ADF members and APS.
Our Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the APS 5 Work Health and Safety Officer Role is a motivated and capable professional who brings strong WHS knowledge, practical experience, and a commitment to fostering a positive safety culture. They will demonstrate a sound understanding of WHS legislation, risk management principles, and incident reporting processes, supported by hands-on experience conducting risk assessments, inspections, and investigations.
The successful candidate will be an effective communicator who can engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels, providing clear, practical safety advice in a dynamic training environment. They will show initiative, good judgement, and the ability to work independently while managing competing priorities. Strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and alignment with APS Values are essential. Formal WHS qualifications and experience in complex or high-risk environments are highly desirable, along with the ability to contribute constructively to continuous safety improvement across the organisation.
Eligibility
Security Clearance:
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.
Getting to know the Department of Defence
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