Job Description

Australian Council of Trade Unions – Melbourne VIC

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Grade 5 | Full-time I Melbourne
n Location: Level 4, 365 Queen Street, Melbourne

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The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is the peak body for unions in Australia. We advocate for safe and healthy work and support unions to improve workplace health and safety protections for working people.

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We are seeking an experienced and committed WHS Policy Officer to help develop and deliver ACTU policy, advocacy, resources, training materials and campaign work across work health and safety.

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The role will provide policy support across a broad range of WHS matters, with a particular focus on psychosocial hazards and workplace mental health.

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The ACTU is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the rich cultural and social diversity of our community. We strongly encourage applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of colour, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities and individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds

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About the role

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Reporting to the Senior Policy Officer, Work Health & Safety, the WHS Policy Officer will contribute to the union movement's policy and advocacy priorities on safe and healthy work. The position sits within the Centre for Work Health & Safety and works across policy development, national reform, affiliate support, movement capability and campaign delivery.

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You will research and analyse WHS developments, prepare policy advice and submissions, contribute to national reform processes and support the ACTU's participation in Safe Work Australia and other WHS forums. You will also work closely with affiliates, health and safety representatives, regulators, researchers and subject matter experts to translate workers' experiences into effective policy and practical tools.

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The role combines policy development, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, resource development and project management. It is an opportunity to contribute to significant national WHS reform and help build the union movement's capacity to address physical and psychosocial hazards at work.

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Key responsibilities include:

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Researching, analysing and providing authoritative advice on WHS legislation, regulation, codes of practice, national policy proposals and emerging issues.

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Developing ACTU policy positions and recommendations across physical and psychosocial hazards,



occupational health, injury prevention, regulatory effectiveness, enforcement and workers' compensation intersections

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Preparing high-quality policy papers, briefings, submissions, consultation responses, reports and correspondence

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Contributing to the union movement's policy and advocacy strategy for national WHS reform

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Supporting the ACTU's participation in Secure Work Australia and other national, state and territory WHS forums

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Representing the ACTU in consultations, working groups and stakeholder discussions, as required

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Providing practical and evidence-based WHS policy advice to ACTU affiliates and internal stakeholders

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Consulting with affiliates to identify emerging workplace hazards, regulatory gaps and movement priorities

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Coordinating affiliate input into ACTU submissions, consultations and reform processes

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Developing policy guidance, training materials, workplace resources and practical tools for unions, health and safety representatives and workers

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Planning and facilitating policy briefings, workshops, webinars and forums

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Leading the policy and program development of the Mind Your Head campaign

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Developing practical resources to help unions and workers identify, assess and address psychosocial hazards

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Coordinating the planning, delivery and evaluation of WHS policy projects and campaign activities

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Building productive relationships with affiliates, regulators, government agencies, researchers and WHS stakeholders

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Preparing governance and funding reports and maintaining appropriate project records

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Working collaboratively across the ACTU to integrate WHS considerations into policy, legal, research, organising, campaigning, communications and education work.

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About you

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You are an experienced policy professional with a strong understanding of work health and safety, stakeholder engagement and advocacy. You can analyse complex information, apply sound judgement and translate policy, research and workplace experience into clear advice and practical resources.

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You are collaborative, organised and comfortable managing competing priorities. You can work with limited supervision, build robust relationships and contribute effectively in a values-driven environment.

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You will bring:

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A demonstrated commitment to the union movement and the interests of working people

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Relevant experience in work health and safety, policy, advocacy or campaigning

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The ability to research and analyse complex policy, legislative and regulatory matters

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Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare clear, high-quality advice, submissions, reports and briefings

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Excellent interpersonal, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills

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Strong organisational and project management capabilities

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The ability to manage multiple priorities and program outcomes simultaneously

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Sound judgement and the ability to work with limited supervision and to tight deadlines

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A practical, hands-on and collaborative approach to problem-solving

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The ability to influence and build support among a broad range of stakeholders

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The ability to monitor, evaluate and report on the outcomes and impact of policy and campaign activities

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Relevant tertiary qualifications, or at least four years of relevant work experience.

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Experience working with unions, community organisations or other values-based organisations.

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Experience developing policy guidance, training materials or workplace resources.

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Knowledge of psychosocial hazards and workplace mental health.

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Experience engaging with government, regulators, researchers or national policy forums.

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Why work with us

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Work at the centre of the Australian union movement.

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Contribute to national policy and regulatory reform.

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Help improve health and safety protections for working people.

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Support unions to address physical and psychosocial hazards.

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Join a collaborative and values-driven workplace.

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The ACTU offers a competitive Grade 5 salary range of $121,898 to $142,404, depending on skills and experience, along with:

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Additional 15% superannuation.

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Annual leave loading.

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Working-from-home opportunities.

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Generous leave arrangements, including up to five additional days of annual leave.

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The opportunity to work a rostered-day-off arrangement.

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Closing Date:

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Applications close onFriday 2nd October 2026

📌 WHS Policy Officer (Victoria)
🏢 Australian Council of Trade Unions
📍 Victoria