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Principal Inspector
North Region; WHS Compliance and Field Services; Office of Industrial Relations; Cairns
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO OIR EMPLOYEES ONLY
At Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of Queensland workers. As part of the Office of Industrial Relations(OIR), we're committed to creating safer, healthier and more productive workplaces through education, engagement and effective regulation.
As a Principal Inspector based in Cairns, you'll provide leadership to a team of inspectors while ensuring Queensland workplaces meet their work health and safety obligations.
This is an opportunity to combine your leadership capability with your regulatory experience to influence workplace safety outcomes across a diverse range of industries.
Job details
| Position status | Permanent |
|---|---|
| Position type | Flexible full-time |
| Occupational group | Occupational Health & Safety |
| Classification | AO6 |
| Workplace Location | Cairns region |
| Job ad reference | QLD/669570/26 |
| Closing date | 14-Sep-2026 |
| Job duration | |
| Contact person | John Dalamaras |
| Contact details | Phone: 0436 910 206 Access the National Relay Service |
At Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of Queensland workers. As part of the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR), we're committed to creating safer, healthier and more productive workplaces through education, engagement and effective regulation.
As a Principal Inspector based in Cairns, you'll provide leadership to a team of inspectors while ensuring Queensland workplaces meet their work health and safety obligations.
This is an opportunity to combine your leadership capability with your regulatory experience to influence workplace safety outcomes across a diverse range of industries.
About the Role
As a Principal Inspector, you'll lead and mentor operational teams, guide complex investigations and work closely with industry to improve health and safety outcomes.
Your role will support and drive the implementation of the Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, ensuring we meet the community's expectations around compliance, accountability, and enforcement.
This is a role for someone who can balance leadership, technical capability and sound judgement and who can confidently engage with businesses, workers and senior stakeholders in high-pressure situations.
About the Team
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ):
• Enforces work health and safety laws
• Investigates workplace fatalities and serious incidents
• Prosecutes breaches of legislation
• Educates employers and workers on safety obligations
• Supports safer workplaces through prevention, compliance and enforcement
Our work has real impact, every day—reducing harm and improving safety across industries where there is simply no room for error.
Your Key Responsibilities
Generally, you will bring:
• Strong written communication, time-management and leadership skills
• Extensive experience applying safety protocols, compliance frameworks or enforcement principles (construction, Defence, emergency services and regulatory experience highly regarded)
• The capacity to navigate complex or challenging conversations with confidence and professionalism
• The ability to mentor and guide inspectors, contribute to a positive safety culture and influence industry toward compliance
• A commitment to making a visible, meaningful contribution to workplace safety across Queensland.
Why Apply?
As a Queensland public sector employee, you'll benefit from:
• Strong employment security
• Competitive salary and superannuation
• Flexible work arrangements
• Health and wellbeing programs
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.
This is the ideal role for someone who wants to use their experience to ensure workers return home safely every day.
How to Apply
Submit your resume and a letter (maximum two pages) that addresses the below three questions:
1. Describe a situation where you applied contemporary workplace health and safety legislation, regulatory requirements and risk management principles to assess and respond to a complex or high-risk workplace issue. What factors did you consider, what decisions did you make, and what was the outcome?
2. Describe a time when you had to communicate, negotiate or influence others in relation to a difficult, sensitive or contentious workplace health and safety or regulatory matter. How did you approach the situation, and what was the result?
3. Describe a time when you had to assess competing operational priorities, determine an appropriate course of action and lead others to achieve the required outcome. What was your approach and what did you achieve?
This position may require pre-employment checks.
Applications to remain current for 12 months
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.
