Senior Safety and Wellbeing Adviser

CQUniversity; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 126,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

5.4 weeks annual leave + Christmas/New

10 days personal/sick leave

6 weeks parental leave

Job summary

CQUniversity's People and Culture Directorate invites applications for a Senior Safety and Wellbeing Adviser to enhance workforce safety and wellbeing. The role focuses on delivering expert safety advice, risk management, audits, investigations, and training across the university community.

The successful candidate will influence safety culture, support crisis management, and engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree with at least four years subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience in a safety-related field; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Extensive knowledge of risk management frameworks and their practical implementation in high-risk environments.
• Significant experience providing high-level practical health, safety and psychosocial advice, with a focus on promoting a positive safety culture.
• Well-developed communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence safety outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert safety, health and wellbeing advice to management, staff and students; support risk management, workplace audits, inspections and incident investigations.
• Contribute to ongoing development of CQUniversity’s Safety Management System and provide guidance on workers’ compensation and workplace rehabilitation.
• Develop and deliver safety training and build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external agencies.
• Support compliance, business continuity and crisis management activities.

Skills

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Safety culture

Psychosocial health advice

Communication skills

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

• Continuing, Full-Time
• People and Culture Directorate
• CQUniversity Rockhampton(Relocation support available)
• Higher Education Worker Level 7
• Total Remuneration $125,827 to $136,078 pa (including salary of $106,326 to $114,988 plus 17% superannuation and leave loading)

Working at CQUniversity

Join CQUniversity's People and Culture Directorate as a Senior Safety and Wellbeing Adviser and make a meaningful impact on the safety and wellbeing of our people. This exciting role offers the opportunity to drive positive safety outcomes, influence organisational culture, and contribute to a safe and healthy working environment across the University.

In this role, you will provide expert safety, health and wellbeing advice to management, staff and students, while supporting risk management, workplace audits, inspections and incident investigations. You will contribute to the ongoing development of CQUniversity’s Safety Management System, provide guidance on workers’ compensation and workplace rehabilitation, and develop and deliver safety training.

You will build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external agencies, while supporting compliance, business continuity and crisis management activities.

If you are an experienced safety professional who enjoys building positive relationships, identifying opportunities for improvement and making a meaningful difference to workplace safety and wellbeing, we encourage you to apply.

Be Rewarded

• 17% superannuation (with the choice to join an award-winning superfund)
• 5.4 weeks annual leave (plus 3 working days paid at Christmas and New Year closure)
• 10 days personal/sick leave, plus 5 days carer’s leave
• 7.25 hours engaged service leave
• Fantastic professional and career development opportunities
• Up to 26 weeks (six months) paid parental leave
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program and Fitness Passport

Position Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of contemporary industry practices, with the ability to interpret legislation and provide expert advice on related policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• A relevant degree with at least four years subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience in a safety-related field; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Extensive expertise in risk management frameworks and their practical implementation in high-risk environments.
• Significant experience providing high-level practical health, safety and psychosocial advice, with a focus on promoting a positive safety culture.
• Well-developed communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence safety outcomes.

Pre-Employment Checks

Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which may include a National Police Check and/or Working with Children Check (where applicable).

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment where its members can study, work and live free from gender-based violence. In line with our organisational values and regulatory obligations, applicants may be required to declare any past or current allegations, investigations or findings relating to gender-based violence.

The successful candidate may also be required to demonstrate that they meet the “fit and proper person” criteria as required under applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks (including ASQA requirements where relevant).

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At CQUniversity, inclusivity is at the heart of who we are. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to succeed regardless of background or ability.

We advance reconciliation through our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), First Nations Workforce Strategy and our First Nations Cultural Competency Framework, strengthening opportunities for First Nations peoples and embedding cultural respect across our organisation.

Through our Disability-Informed Action Plan, we continue to enhance accessibility and inclusion across our University. As a recognised member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, we actively promote awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities, helping to ensure everyone can bring their whole selves to work and thrive.

CQUniversity is also committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive recruitment and selection process. The University will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment, selection, appointment and onboarding process to ensure people with disability can participate on an equal basis with others.

For further information about this position, please refer to the Position Description.

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Sunday, 8 November 2026

Job Requisition ID: 7644

Work Rights: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold the full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this appointment.

CQUniversity is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity in the workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and CQUniversity’s domestic and international student graduates with post-study work rights are encouraged to apply.

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