Location: AVWA Offices
Reports to: Executive Operations & Compliance Manager
Employment type: Full-time
Role purpose:
To lead and coordinate occupational health and safety (OHS), injury management and psychosocial wellbeing for AVWA staff and volunteers. The role drives practical risk controls, legal compliance and continuous improvement across AVWA workplaces and work activities, with particular focus on Victorian obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic), Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), and Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 (Vic) (commenced 1 December 2025).
What we are looking for:
1. OHS & Compliance
- Maintain OHS compliance across AVWA workplaces and work activities, including physical and psychological health requirements under Victorian OHS legislation and WorkSafe Victoria compliance codes and guidance.
- Maintain OHS governance artefacts and registers (hazards, risks, incidents, corrective actions, training/competency, consultation, contractor OHS, plant/equipment where applicable) with a documented monthly quality check and version control.
- Deliver an annual OHS plan (physical + psychological health) with endorsed priorities, owners and due dates; provide a monthly OHS dashboard and a quarterly OHS report to the Executive Operations & Compliance Manager.
- Conduct workplace inspections and audits across sites and programs (minimum 4 inspections per year across AVWA locations/activities); track corrective actions to closure with a target of at least 90% actions closed by due date (or approved extension recorded).
- Review and update OHS policies, procedures and forms at least annually and following significant incidents, organisational change or legislative updates; document worker consultation and approvals
2. Psychosocial Risk & Wellbeing
- Lead a psychosocial hazard and risk management program consistent with the Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 (Vic), including establishing and maintaining a psychosocial hazard register and risk assessments.
- Facilitate structured consultation to identify psychosocial hazards (e.g., targeted pulse checks/surveys, team consultations, debriefs, HSR/committee channels) at least twice per year and during major change; document findings and actions.
- Develop, implement and monitor psychosocial risk control plans with clear owners, due dates and review points; report progress quarterly (including action closure rates and emerging themes).
- Support managers to address psychosocial hazards and harmful behaviours, including:
o work-related pressures and workload issues
o workplace conflict and bullying
o occupational violence, aggression or threats o sexual harassment and gendered violence risks
- Provide coaching on early intervention and escalation pathways, and coordinate referrals to supports (EAP/rehab/clinical as appropriate).
- Lead or coordinate staff welfare and critical incident debrief processes where required, with privacy-respecting documentation and follow-up actions.
3. Injury Management & Workers Compensation
- Manage end-to-end workers’ compensation claims for staff, including timely lodgement, coordination with the WorkSafe Agent/insurer and rehabilitation providers, and accurate case records.
- Coordinate return to work (RTW) planning and suitable duties, including:
o commence RTW planning immediately on notification of incapacity o develop/maintain RTW plans aligned to Certificates of Capacity
o review RTW plans at least fortnightly (or more frequently where risk/medical advice requires)
o maintain a target of at least 90% on-time plan reviews and documented case notes.
- Provide monthly injury management reporting (e.g., new claims, open claims, days lost, RTW outcomes, key drivers, prevention actions) to the Executive Operations & Compliance Manager.
- Support compliance with Victorian injury management and return to work obligations, including maintaining appropriate separation between claims management and HR performance processes where required.
4. Incident & Hazard Management
- Oversee staff and volunteer OHS incident, near miss and hazard reporting processes, including triage within 1 business day and escalation of high-risk matters immediately.
- Lead or coordinate incident investigations using a consistent methodology (e.g., 5-Whys / ICAM-lite) with root cause identification and corrective actions recorded, owned and tracked to closure.
- Coordinate external notifications where required for workplace incidents (e.g., WorkSafe Victoria notifiable incidents), including prompt escalation to the Executive Operations & Compliance Manager and site preservation requirements where applicable.
- Analyse incident, hazard and claims data monthly to identify trends and prevention priorities; implement and monitor preventative actions.
5. Training & Advisory
- Maintain a OHS training matrix and induction content; target 100% OHS induction completion for new starters within 10 business days and at least 95% completion of annual mandatory refreshers by due date.
- Deliver and/or coordinate OHS and psychosocial training for staff and volunteers (minimum 6 formal sessions per year), tailored to operational risks (e.g., manual handling, occupational violence/aggression, psychosocial hazards, hazard reporting and incident response).
- Provide practical OHS advice to leaders and managers, including risk assessments for new/changed work activities and support to implement controls; document advice where risk is material.
6. Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with HR/People & Performance, operational leaders, site coordinators and any HSR/consultation mechanisms to support effective consultation and risk control implementation.
- Liaise with external providers and stakeholders as required (e.g., Employsure, WorkSafe Agent/insurer, occupational rehabilitation providers, EAP) and monitor service performance annually against agreed expectations.
- Prepare clear, decision-ready OHS, psychosocial and injury management reporting for internal governance, audits and regulator interactions as required.
The above list is not exhaustive, and the role may change to meet the overall objectives of AVWA. Any other relevant duties as reasonably required by the management.
Who you are:
Essential:
- Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (minimum) or an equivalent qualification in a related field, or demonstrated relevant experience.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of Victorian OHS obligations, including psychosocial hazard duties (Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 (Vic).
- Demonstrated capability in injury management and return to work coordination within Victorian workers’ compensation settings.
- High level of discretion and ability to manage sensitive workforce matters professionally and consistently.
- Police Check clearance
- No ACQSC Banning order
What’s in It for You:
- SCHADS Award with all entitlements
- Up to $15,900 salary packaging, plus $2,950 meal and entertainment card benefits
- Flexible working arrangements, with partial work from home, allowing work/life balance
- Excellent workplace culture with ongoing support, training, and development
- Great benefit with Employer-funded Paid Parental Leave (Conditions applied)
- Wellness being with Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness Activities Subsidy
- Wellness Leave
- Free Flu shots
Make your move:
Ready to embark on an exciting journey with AVWA? Send your resume and cover letter highlighting your passion to [email protected]
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Please note: We will be immediately shortlisting applicants and will close the position as soon as we find the right candidate. Apply now.
