WorkSafe is Victoria's workplace health and safety regulator. We are also the workplace injury insurer. Our job is to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers. This is our promise to the Victorian community and the reason we exist.

Return to Work Inspector

• $111,288.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
• Full time, fixed term opportunity until 31/5/2026
• Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung/Melbourne CBD based role

About the opportunity

The Return to Work Inspector (RTWI) will be responsible for inspecting workplaces to ensure compliance with the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act).

As a RTW Inspector you will focus on working with stakeholders including Agents, occupational rehabilitation providers, employers and at times injured workers to deliver improvements in volume, timeliness and sustainability of return to work outcomes so that the organisation achieves its objective(s) to return every worker home safely.

As a RTW Inspector you will be required to educate and enforce the workers compensation legislation to achieve greater RTW outcomes.

Key accountabilities

• Visiting workplaces (both scheduled and unscheduled inspections), in order determine employer compliance with their return to work obligations under the WIRC Act
• Responsible for making on-the-spot decisions regarding compliance with legislation. Provide advice regarding the next steps an employer must take and have the ability to independently manage your own time and work.
• Accountable for creating and capturing accurate and complete records of the business activities related to this position, in accordance with approved policy and procedures. This is applicable to both hardcopy and electronic information, including emails.
• Issue Inspection Records and Improvement notices; as well as provide advice and guidance where necessary
• Liaise with employers, agents, and injured workers in order to determine the outcome of an employer's compliance or in order to assist with the provision of information on the injured worker's case

Please ensure you review the position description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

Expertise

• Knowledge and expertise in return to work compliance
• Ability to provide an effective response to high risk issues/problem
• Ability to provide direction, advice and problem solving at a technical level
• Ability to undertake accountabilities within the authority of the relevant legislation & organisational policies and procedures
• Ability to influence compliance and to provide expert advice to external stakeholders
• Have technical expertise that can be called upon by other areas of WorkSafe Victoria

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated ability to liaise in a professional manner with a diverse internal and external client/stakeholder group in a variety of situations
• Ability to influence and encourage positive behaviour within the workplace
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills
• Highly developed influencing, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Adaptability to change
• Information gathering / Investigative skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of the RTW obligations as detailed under the Act in Victoria
• Previous regulator experience (Health & Safety or Return to Work)
• Recent practical experience in implementing and/or supporting RTW processes in the workplace, e.g. as an Allied Health or Occupational Rehabilitation Provider, Injury Management Specialist, RTW Coordinator, Agent Mobile Case Manager
• Experience in a similar role

Working with us

At WorkSafe, our goal is for every employee to feel connected, safe, and valued within their team, for teams to feel appreciated in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be respected in the community.

We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals, including First Nations people, people with disabilities, those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and individuals of all sexualities and genders.

What's next?

Applications close 11:00pm on Friday 5th September 2025. Click the link to apply and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.

Only applications submitted via the WorkSafe Careers website will be considered.

Preferred candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and/or other checks as required for the position as part of the recruitment process.

Due to the volume of applications received, individualised feedback will only be provided to candidates who progress to interview stage.

For further enquiries please contact Rebecca McPherson on [email protected]