We are seeking candidates who want to contribute to important national policy that improves the health and safety of workers and other people in the workplace.

As an Assistant Director at Safe Work Australia (SWA), you will lead nationally-significant projects that will allow you to use and further develop your policy development, influencing and project management skills. You will have the opportunity to identify and drive new areas of work based on your analysis of work health and safety (WHS), workers’ compensation and industry trends.

As an EL1, you will be responsible for delivering on complex policy matters, utilising strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

As an Assistant Director at SWA, you will be able to:

• lead and build capability in a small team of APS level staff
• develop high quality, evidence-based policy advice to address complex and emerging WHS and workers’ compensation policy issues
• demonstrate high level written and oral communication skills, and
• develop and maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Assistant Director roles are available in the Policy and Consultation Group. A merit pool may be established to fill future vacancies over the next 18 months.

We have Assistant Director roles working across a number of dynamic teams, with interesting and challenging work.

Opportunities are available in the Agency’s Policy and Consultation Group, which is responsible for:

• coordinating and developing national policies in relation to WHS and workers' compensation matters
• supporting implementation of the model WHS legislation and reform of the legislative framework,
• providing policy advice on the model WHS laws in relation to high-risk workplaces, hazardous chemicals and occupational diseases, including infectious diseases, silicosis and asbestosis, and
• supporting policy consultation and engagement activities.

The Group consists of two branches:

The Legal and Framework Policy Branch is responsible for:

• the development and oversight of national policy relating to Australia’s overall WHS framework and the model WHS Act, including a review to ensure they continue to represent best practice
• leading national WHS policy on psychosocial risks including harmful behaviours such as sexual harassment, workplace bullying and violence
• developing proposals and initiatives to improve workers’ compensation arrangements, and promoting national consistency in such arrangements, and
• leading legal advice in relation to WHS and workers’ compensation and co-ordinating the development of legislative and regulatory reform for Safe Work Australia.

The Hazards and Industries Policy Branch is responsible for:

• national policy on a range of matters covered in the model WHS Regulations, including high risk work, plant and structures, and construction work, and tailored industry guidance to support implementation of the model WHS Regulations
• national policy related to workplace hazardous chemicals, including workplace exposure standards and major hazard facilities
• national policy on the management of workplace risks that could lead to the development of illness or occupational disease, and
• delivering on high-profile policy work to manage the risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica at work and to prevent Australian workers developing silicosis.