Working with us is more than just a job, it's making a difference to people's lives. We're Queensland's work health and safety regulator, part of the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR).

Our purpose is to improve work health and safety and reduce the risk of work-related fatalities, injuries, and illness in Queensland workplaces.

We work with industry and assist businesses to create a safe and healthy culture in Queensland places of work. We do this by:
- Making sure work health and safety laws are followed.
- Investigating work-related fatalities and serious injuries.
- Educating workplaces on ways to comply with legislation.
- Taking legal action when work health and safety laws are broken.
- Educating employees and employers on their legal obligations.

Job details

As the Principal Investigator you will work autonomously within the Psychosocial Response Unit in the Specialised Health and Safety Services directorate to work with industry to improve health and safety in Queensland workplaces.

• An Advanced Diploma of Government (Workplace inspection/ Investigations/Fraud control) or equivalent, must be held at the time of submitting application.
• Whilst not mandatory, a higher degree qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. law, justice administration, criminology) is highly desirable.
• Previous experience in a role with significant health and safety responsibilities is required.
• Recommended applicants will be asked to consent to a criminal record check.
• Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
• If you are new to the inspectorate, you will be required to complete Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's new inspector induction program. A probation period of 6 months will apply.
• Successful applicants must have, or be able to acquire, a current driver's license.
• Successful applicants must have, or be able to rapidly acquire, the computer skills necessary to accurately and efficiently input and retrieve data on Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's event and investigations databases.
• It is a genuine occupational requirement of this role that inspectors undertake field work and respond to incidents at workplaces across Queensland to discharge statutory roles and exercise statutory powers. This will involve circumstances including access to confined spaces, climbing ladders, accessing scaffolding, traversing building and construction sites, climbing meat worker stands, collecting asbestos samples from rubble, rural and remote work in heat etc.
• You may be required to inspect workplaces where there is a risk of exposure to pathogens. WHSQ will fund the immunisation of staff who may be exposed to these conditions as part of their role. Successful applicants will be required to provide formal consent for any immunisation that is provided.
• You may be required to attend workplace incidents where a death or serious injury has occurred. As an inspector you will need to show sensitivity to the parties involved (e.g., the injured party, next of kin, relatives, workers, witnesses, and duty holders) while remaining impartial and emotionally unattached.
• You may be required to attend workplaces where a dispute is in progress. As an inspector you will need to demonstrate well developed problem solving and dispute resolutions skills, while remaining resilient, impartial and emotionally unattached.
• You will be required to participate in on-call and weekend roster work; and
• From time to time, you may be required to work from another office from which you were initially appointed.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/646645/25

Closing Date: Thursday, 17th July 2025

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• 646645 25 - Role Description (Word, 387KB)
  
  
  646645 25 - OIR Applicant Guide (PDF, 298KB)