Head of Safety

Qantas; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted air travel

Flexible and parental leave options

Employee discounts with partners

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

QantasLink invites an accomplished safety leader to head Network Aviation's Safety Management System and serve as CASA-approved Safety Manager for the AOC. You will be accountable for safety, health and environmental risk across the operation, leading a team of safety professionals and working with operational leaders to ensure governance and effective risk management.

This is a highly visible role partnering with senior leaders across Network Aviation, QantasLink and the Qantas Group to shape

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in safety or safety-related roles, including 5+ years leading a safety function within a complex, regulated, multi-site operation
• Experience holding, or acting in support of, a CASA regulatory post-holder role, with a strong understanding of Part 119 Safety Manager requirements
• Demonstrated success leading leaders, teams and operating budgets across multi-site operations
• Deep expertise in safety management systems, risk management, compliance, governance and regulatory frameworks
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation
• Experience presenting safety performance, risk and assurance outcomes to Executive Leadership Teams and Board-level committees
• A proactive and strategic leader with a track record of driving continuous improvement and solving complex operational challenges

Responsibilities

• Lead safety strategy and performance across a complex airline operation
• Shape a proactive safety culture through executive leadership and influence
• Drive regulatory excellence, risk management and continuous improvement
• Permanent role based in Perth

Skills

Safety leadership

Stakeholder management

SMS expertise

Regulatory frameworks

Risk management

Governance

Executive presentation

Strategic leadership

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Safety/Aviation/Business

Job description

Building on more than 100 years of history and experience, QantasLink is a consolidated network of regional airlines that connects passengers and communities across Australia. QantasLink is made up of four subsidiary organisations – Eastern Airlines, Sunstate Airlines, National Jet Systems and Network Aviation. Operating as an end-to-end airline, QantasLink harnesses the strength of its regional partnerships and a strong sense of family, to provide meaningful career paths for its more than 2,500 people with opportunities that might take you to exciting destinations across QantasLink or the Qantas Group.

Job Description

• Lead safety strategy and performance across a complex airline operation
• Shape a proactive safety culture through executive leadership and influence
• Drive regulatory excellence, risk management and continuous improvement
• Permanent role based in Perth

Building on more than 100 years of aviation experience, QantasLink connects communities across Australia through four regional airlines, including Network Aviation. As Network Aviation welcomes its new Embraer E190 fleet and enters an exciting new chapter in Western Australia, this is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of safety across the operation and the wider Qantas Group.

As Head of Safety, you will lead Network Aviation's Safety Management System (SMS) and serve as the CASA-approved Safety Manager for the airline's Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). Accountable for safety, health and environmental risk across the operation, you will lead a team of safety professionals and work closely with operational leaders to ensure robust governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk management. You'll play a critical role in maintaining the systems, processes and assurance activities that support safe and reliable operations.

This is a highly visible leadership role with significant influence across the business. Partnering with senior leaders across Network Aviation, QantasLink and the broader Qantas Group, you'll help shape operational decision-making, drive continuous improvement and foster a culture where safety remains at the heart of everything we do.

You’ll have –

• 10+ years' experience in safety or safety-related roles, including 5+ years leading a safety function within a complex, regulated, multi-site operation
• Experience holding, or acting in support of, a CASA regulatory post-holder role, with a strong understanding of Part 119 Safety Manager requirements
• Tertiary qualifications in Safety, Aviation, Business or a related discipline
• Demonstrated success leading leaders, teams and operating budgets across multi-site operations
• Deep expertise in safety management systems, risk management, compliance, governance and regulatory frameworks
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation
• Experience presenting safety performance, risk and assurance outcomes to Executive Leadership Teams and Board-level committees
• A proactive and strategic leader with a track record of driving continuous improvement and solving complex operational challenges

Why Qantas?

You’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully.

There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on the job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities.

While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take their career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless.

The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.

• We love to travel: Enjoy heavily discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe, both for you and your family and friends, as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays.
• We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave (plus superannuation payments on all paid and unpaid parental leave until your child turns 1) and additional purchased leave options for eligible employees.
• We’ll give you access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging program including motor vehicles, eligible portable electronic devices and professional memberships.
• We’ll support your wellbeing: Whether it’s learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan.

Qantas is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. Your personal information will be kept confidential in compliance with relevant privacy legislation.

Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today.

Applications close Sunday 27th September 2026