OHS Performance Specialist

OHS Performance Specialist - Self Insurance

• $137,963 per annum + 12% superannuation


• Full time, 12 month fixed term opportunity (long service leave backfill)


• Wadawurrung/Geelong based role (hybrid work from home – 3 days a week in office/on site)

About the opportunity

The Self-insurance OHS Performance team plays a critical role in supporting the integrity and sustainability of WorkSafe’s self-insurance model. The team provides assurance and insights that inform decisions about self-insurer approval and renewal.

As an OHS Performance Specialist, you will lead the assessment of your portfolio of self-insurers’ OHS management systems, ensuring they can demonstrate required safety standards and identifying opportunities to strengthen safety performance. Your work will provide clear, evidence-based insights to support regulatory decision-making.

You will also contribute your technical expertise by advising internal and external stakeholders—including WorkSafe teams, employers and certification bodies—on OHS management system standards, audit tools and their practical application.

Key accountabilities

• Lead OHSMS assurance program activities across a portfolio of self-insurers using AS/NZS ISO 45001, in alignment with policy and procedures


• Build and maintain strong relationships with self-insurers and key internal and external stakeholders to achieve agreed goals; work collaboratively, embrace continuous improvement ways of working, enhance knowledge sharing, and influence change where required


• Produce accurate and well written reports within specified timeframes for WorkSafe’s assessment of the self-insurers OHSMS performance


• Review and approve self-insurers submissions/data provided in response to requirements of the OHSMS assurance program activities


• Follow-up of all post assurance activities, including appropriate remediation of non-conformances, identifying any areas for improvement and trends over time, monitoring triggers that escalate for increased oversight


• Undertake analysis of assurance activity outcomes and other data sources, anticipate and identify trends, issues and/or emerging risks that may impact on safety management performance of self-insurers

Please ensure you review the Position Description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

About you

You are an experienced and qualified OHS professional with a strong track record of delivering safety outcomes in complex, operational environments. You bring sound technical knowledge of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and are a certified lead auditor in ISO 45001:2018.

You are adaptable and comfortable working in environments where priorities can shift, and you take a proactive approach to identifying opportunities to improve safety performance and ways of working.

You are confident working with systems and data to support analysis, reporting and decision-making, and are open to using contemporary tools and approaches to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

You are a strong communicator who builds trusted relationships and works collaboratively with stakeholders. You bring a pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset and are committed to driving positive safety outcomes. You will also possess the following skills and experience:

• Significant experience in operational OHS roles, with a proven ability to understand and assess safety performance in complex, high-risk environments


• Demonstrated experience in auditing OHS management systems (e.g. ISO 45001 or equivalent), with the ability to apply critical thinking and professional judgement beyond compliance requirements


• Strong understanding of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, with the ability to apply legislative and regulatory principles in practical contexts


• Proven ability to analyse information, identify trends and emerging risks, and generate insights that inform regulatory decisions and influence improved safety outcomes


• Track record of engaging, influencing and constructively challenging stakeholders, including senior leaders, to drive accountability and uplift safety performance


• Highly developed written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise and evidence-based reports that support regulatory assessment and decision-making


• Ability to operate effectively in a regulatory environment, balancing objectivity and independence with constructive engagement


• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities and evolving expectations, with a focus on continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety (Grad Diploma or above)


• ISO 45001 Lead Auditor certification (Exemplar Global) or demonstrated capability to attain


• Current Victorian driver’s licence (with willingness to travel)

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 Tuesday 14 July, 2026. 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.

Eligibility for ongoing employment with WorkSafe Victoria requires Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.

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

To ensure a fair and open recruitment process, we request that you complete your written application and any online interviews without the use of AI tools. We want to understand your professional skills, experience and capabilities. We acknowledge that candidates may choose to use AI as part of background research.

For further enquiries please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist, Brittany Walker via email – [email protected].