Vacancy Details

Position: Organisation Unit: Location: Package: Tenure: Closing: Synopsis: Manager - Work Health and Safety

APS6

Townsville

Ongoing/Non-ongoing; Full time

Applications close Monday 5 October 2026, 11:59pm AEST

The Position

We are seeking an experienced Work Health and Safety (WHS) professional to provide specialist advice and operational support across the Reef Authority's WHS, wellbeing, and injury management functions.

Working within the broader People Services team, the Manager - Work Health and Safety is responsible for ensuring the Reef Authority’s compliance with its WHS duties and requirements, proactively managing physical and psychosocial risks to health and safety in the work environment, providing rehabilitation case management for both compensable and non-compensable claims, applying early intervention and rehabilitation strategies and actions to support Reef Authority employees, and ensuring ill and injured employees achieve a safe return to work.

The role is responsible for the implementation and continuous improvement of the Reef Authority's WHS and injury management frameworks, systems and programs, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements and organisational priorities. You will contribute to the development of a positive safety culture through effective risk management, incident response, education and training, stakeholder engagement, and capability-building activities.

The Manager – Work Health and Safety also promotes and delivers organisational wellbeing and mental health initiatives, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.

What you'll do

- Drive compliance with WHS and rehabilitation legislation and contribute to initiatives that strengthen WHS practice across the Reef Authority.
- Manage injury, rehabilitation and return-to-work matters, including early intervention and support for compensable and non-compensable claims.
- Oversee physical and psychosocial risk management, incident and hazard reporting, investigations and the implementation of effective controls.
- Provide authoritative, practical WHS and injury management advice to managers and employees.
- Develop and continuously improve WHS and injury management policies, frameworks, systems and workplace wellbeing initiatives.
- Build WHS capability and a positive safety culture through education, training, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and reporting.

What you'll bring

- Specialist knowledge of WHS legislation and contemporary WHS practice, supported by extensive practical experience in an occupational environment.
- Experience managing WHS risks, workers’ compensation, rehabilitation and return-to-work matters, and workplace incident investigations.
- The ability to interpret legislation, policies and guidance and translate complex requirements into clear, practical and defensible advice.
- Strong analytical,



critical thinking and communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and high-risk matters with sound judgement and discretion.
- Experience developing WHS programs and delivering education and training that builds the capability and confidence of managers and employees.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Fiona Macdonald, Director People Services 0476 299 433

Why join the Reef Authority?

At the Reef Authority, you'll build a meaningful career while helping protect one of the world's most iconic natural assets. We offer a supportive, flexible and purpose-driven workplace where your work has real impact.

You'll enjoy competitive APS employment conditions, including up to 15.4% employer superannuation, flexible working arrangements, wellbeing initiatives, professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

Essential Requirements

- Certificate IV, Diploma or Degree in Work Health and Safety.
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working in a similar WHS role (preferably in the APS).
- Demonstrated knowledge of WHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice (preferably in the Commonwealth jurisdiction).

To be eligible for employment, candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of application.

The position requires a Baseline security clearance. Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

The successful candidate will be willing to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.

How to apply The Reef Authority is committed to authenticity and integrity in all recruitment activities. We want to understand who you are, your experiences, and what you bring to the role.

While you may use AI tools to assist with your application, your final submission must reflect your own voice, skills, and experiences. Candidates should familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

Misrepresentation or unethical use of AI can compromise fairness and integrity and may result in removal from the process or other consequences. AI should be used to support (not replace) your authentic contribution.

Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.





You will be required to prepare a response document (“pitch”) in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.

Please prepare a ‘pitch’, as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

- how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.

- any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

- how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

When crafting your response, we encourage you to review ‘Cracking the Code’ and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: www.apsc.gov.au.

Please complete your application online and provide:

- your ‘pitch’ (as described above and in the position description).
- proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
- a current curriculum vitae (resume)

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website.

PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.

Notes

- The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.
- We do not accept unsolicited résumés from recruitment agencies.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.

For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Eligibility

Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:

- Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.
- Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.
- Evidence of citizenship status.
- Evidence of qualifications required of the role.
- Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.
- The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.
- The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.

📌 Manager - Work Health and Safety (Townsville)
🏢 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
📍 Townsville