Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Business Partner - Temporary
Our client is a national not-for-profit organisation with a strong reputation for delivering services that support children, families and communities across Australia. Operating in a values‑led and people‑focused environment, the organisation places strong importance on workplace health and safety, wellbeing, compliance and governance. With a diverse national workforce and services delivered across multiple jurisdictions, WHS plays a critical role in supporting leaders, employees and safe workplace practices. Due to a period of additional support required within the People function, they are seeking an experienced Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Business Partner to join on a 3‑month temporary assignment / backfill.
The Role
Reporting to the Director of People, this Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Business Partner role will provide specialist expertise across WHS governance, injury management, return to work, incident management, systems, reporting and continuous improvement. This is a hands‑on and influential contract role suited to someone who has operated in a dedicated WHS, Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Safety & Wellbeing, Injury Management, or People & Safety role. While candidates from broader HR backgrounds may be considered, they will need to demonstrate strong direct ownership of safety, workers compensation, return to work, WHS governance and reporting. You will work closely with leaders, People Business Partners, the WHS Committee, health and safety representatives, external providers, insurers and other key stakeholders to ensure WHS obligations are understood, risks are managed, and employees are supported through safe and effective processes.
* Provide WHS expertise, guidance and advice to management, the WHS Committee and health and safety representatives
* Support leaders to understand and meet their WHS legislative obligations
* Establish and maintain strong relationships across the organisation to support clear roles, accountabilities and risk management
* Manage workers compensation matters and outsourced provider arrangements, with a focus on proactive return‑to‑work interventions
* Support employee wellbeing matters, including return‑to‑work plans for both work‑related and non‑work‑related cases
* Chair and coordinate the WHS Committee, liaising with state representatives as required
* Actively manage WorkCover claims with a person‑centred approach focused on recovery and sustainable return to work
* Develop and lead WHS management systems, including training, induction, hazard and incident management, injury management, audits, wellbeing and emergency management
* Prepare WHS Board papers, dashboards, commentary and executive summaries
* Review and track incidents, injuries, investigations and corrective actions
* Conduct WHS audits, inspections and investigations, ensuring controls and mitigation strategies are in place
* Analyse WHS data and prepare regular reports for senior leaders, operational leaders, committees and external authorities
* Support improvements to WHS systems, reporting, automation and safety‑related people processes
* Partner with the business to provide clear communication, practical guidance and strong customer service across safety and policy governance
Why Should You Apply?
This is an opportunity to step into a meaningful WHS contract role where your technical safety, governance and injury management experience will have genuine organisational impact. You will be joining a national not‑for‑profit with a strong purpose, a collaborative People function and a broad workforce environment that will allow you to apply both strategic and hands‑on WHS capability.
* Purpose‑driven national not‑for‑profit environment
* Dedicated WHS role with strong governance ownership
* Broad exposure across WHS, wellbeing, injury management and reporting
* Opportunity to influence systems, processes and safety governance
* Partner closely with senior leaders, People Business Partners and WHS stakeholders
* Strong contract opportunity for an experienced WHS professional
* Suitable candidates from WHS, Safety & Wellbeing, Injury Management or People & Safety backgrounds
The Successful Candidate
You are an experienced WHS professional who can bring strong technical knowledge, practical judgement and stakeholder confidence to a complex organisational environment. You may have worked as a WHS Business Partner, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner, Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner, Injury Management / Return to Work Manager, People & Safety Business Partner, WHS Governance Lead or Senior WHS Advisor with broader governance and reporting experience.
* Strong experience in a dedicated WHS, safety, wellbeing or injury management role
* Demonstrated experience managing workers compensation and return‑to‑work matters
* Strong understanding of WHS legislation, obligations, governance and compliance
* Experience supporting WHS Committees, HSRs, leaders and employees
* Ability to manage incident investigations, corrective actions and risk controls
* Experience preparing WHS reports, dashboards, Board papers or executive commentary
* Strong stakeholder management skills across internal and external parties
* Experience working with insurers, brokers, WorkSafe or external safety providers
* Confidence working across systems, reporting, audits and process improvementA practical, person‑centred and solutions‑focused approach to workplace health, safety and wellbeing
Broader HR candidates may be considered where they have had substantial direct accountability for WHS, injury management, return to work, governance and reporting as a core part of their role.
Ready to Apply?
If you are an experienced WHS professional looking for a meaningful contract role within a purpose‑driven organisation, we would welcome your application.
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