About the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor
The Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor is an independent prosecution office established under the Work Health and Safety Act ****. It conducts and defends proceedings under Queensland's workplace and resources health and safety laws and is provided with administrative support by the Office of Industrial Relations.
The office delivers an independent, efficient, effective and transparent prosecution service that contributes to the safety of Queensland workers and the broader community. Its work encompasses workplace health and safety, electrical safety, recreational water activities and resources safety legislation.
About the role
The Work Health and Safety Prosecutor is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Governor in Council and serves as Chief Executive of the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor.
This is first and foremost a senior prosecution leadership appointment. The successful candidate will exercise independent prosecutorial judgement, direct the conduct of complex and significant matters and maintain public confidence in the integrity of the office's decision‐making.
The Prosecutor leads an established specialist office operating with a workforce of circa 20 employees. The role is supported by three Assistant Work Health and Safety Prosecutor streams and a Director responsible for practice administration, corporate services and the day-to-day business operations of the office.
Key responsibilities include:
making independent, informed and high-quality prosecution decisions in accordance with the Guidelines of the Director of Public Prosecutions
directing the conduct and forensic strategy of prosecutions, including complex, contentious and indictable matters




overseeing criminal prosecutions and civil penalty proceedings under Queensland's workplace and resources safety legislation
providing authoritative advice to the Work Health and Safety Regulator and Resources Safety and Health Queensland
maintaining consistent and effective approaches to legal advice, representation, disclosure and prosecution
building constructive relationships with regulators, investigators, government agencies, interstate jurisdictions and the legal profession
improving the efficiency and timeliness of brief assessment and case progression without compromising the quality or independence of decision‐making
ensuring affected and injured workers, families and next of kin are treated with professionalism, compassion, respect and dignity
developing the capability of the office and supporting a collaborative and psychologically healthy workplace
monitoring and reporting on the office's performance, including preparing its annual report to the Minister
overseeing the engagement of external legal providers and counsel for specialist, complex or significant matters.
The appointment will be for a term not exceeding five years. Remuneration is equivalent to Queensland Government Chief Executive Remuneration Band 5 and includes applicable superannuation, leave and allowance arrangements, a motor vehicle allowance and Brisbane CBD car parking.
Relocation assistance may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis for an interstate appointee.
About you




You will be an accomplished prosecution lawyer with the judgement, integrity and professional credibility required to lead an independent statutory prosecution function.
Your experience may have been developed in workplace health and safety, resources safety or another regulatory prosecution environment. Direct experience in workplace health and safety law is not essential where you can demonstrate relevant prosecution capability and the capacity to quickly understand the legislative environment.
You will bring:
substantial experience conducting or directing complex criminal or regulatory prosecutions
demonstrated prosecutorial judgement, including the assessment of evidence, reasonable prospects of conviction and public interest considerations
solid forensic and legal strategy capability
the confidence to make independent, ethical and appropriately courageous decisions
an ability to build trusted relationships while maintaining clear professional and statutory boundaries
strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with regulators, investigators, legal practitioners and other stakeholders
resilience and an understanding of the impact that confronting and distressing matters can have on individuals and teams
an inclusive and cooperative leadership style that develops people and supports consistent, high-quality outcomes.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act ****, applicants must be lawyers who have been admitted to practise for at least five years.
A person is not eligible for appointment if they have been convicted of an indictable offence or are affected by bankruptcy action. Criminal history, bankruptcy and other probity checks will form part of the appointment process.
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📌 Work Health & Safety Prosecutor (Queensland)
🏢 Humero
📍 Queensland