Senior Transport Inspector

Department of Transport and Main Roads; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland seeks a Senior Transport Inspector to lead a team of Transport Inspectors and perform frontline duties with the team to promote safety for light vehicle road users. The role combines hands-on compliance activities with strong customer service and leadership, modelling professional standards in daily operations.

Applicants must meet mandatory qualifications, including a C class driver licence, undergo psychometric and medical assessments, and

Qualifications

• Must hold a current unrestricted C class driver licence.
• Psychometric assessment will be part of the selection process.
• Pre-employment medical and health assessment.
• New permanent employees subject to a six-month probationary period.
• Complete Transport Inspector Recruit Course (TIRC) to be appointed as an Authorised Officer.
• Appointment under TORUM, Tow Truck Act 2023 and TOPTA on completion.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise staff, including recruitment, performance management, training, development, and promoting ethical behaviour and sound decision making.
• Ensure a safe and healthy workplace by managing resources and WHS compliance.
• Deliver expert advice, training, and education to stakeholders to support road safety and regulatory compliance.
• Plan, lead, and manage operational programs including vehicle inspections, audits, investigations, and intelligence activities.
• Oversee operations, rostering, and budgets, and provide recommendations to meet performance targets.
• Conduct inspections, audits, and roadside compliance activities including light vehicle checks and accreditation processes.
• Monitor compliance trends, maintain quality standards, and contribute to strategy and policy development.
• Manage regulatory decisions and enforcement actions, including exceptions and court representation.
• Prepare high-quality reports and operational documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Training & development

Public education

Regulatory compliance

WH&S compliance

Road safety knowledge

Job description

As a Senior Transport Inspector, you will lead and support a team of Transport Inspectors while actively undertaking frontline duties alongside them to promote the safety of light vehicle road users. This includes educating the public and industry on relevant legislation and, where required, taking appropriate enforcement action. The role combines hands on compliance activities with strong customer service and leadership, modelling professional standards in day to day operations.

Some Of Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading and supervising staff, including recruitment, performance management, training, development, and promoting ethical behaviour and sound decision making.
• Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace by managing resources and compliance with WHS legislation, standards, policies, and risk management requirements.
• Delivering expert advice, training, and education to stakeholders (including the public, industry, and government agencies) to support road safety and regulatory compliance.
• Planning, leading, and managing operational programs, including vehicle inspections, audits, investigations, and intelligence activities to improve compliance outcomes.
• Overseeing operations, rostering, and budgets, and providing recommendations to management to support the achievement of performance targets in a timely and cost effective manner.
• Conducting inspections, audits, and roadside compliance activities, including light vehicle checks, investigations, and accreditation processes.
• Monitoring compliance trends, maintaining quality standards, and contributing to the development of strategies, policies, and legislative improvements.
• Managing regulatory decisions and enforcement actions, including approving exceptions, coordinating follow-up actions, and representing the Department in court as required.
• Preparing high quality reports, correspondence, and operational documentation.

About You

We recognise and celebrate that everyone is unique and seek the applicant best suited to the role. We will assess your experience, knowledge and acquired skills, as well as your potential for development and your personal qualities. To thrive in this role, you will need to demonstrate the following:

Mandatory Qualifications And Conditions

• Applicants must hold a current unrestricted ‘C' class driver licence.
• Traffic history and criminal history checks will be undertaken as part of the selection process.
• Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a psychometric assessment.
• Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical and health assessment.
• New permanent employees of the Queensland Government will be subject to a six-month probationary period.
• Successful applicants will receive comprehensive on-the-job training, including training to support the delivery of vehicle inspections, audits, and investigations.
• Successful applicants must complete the Transport Inspector Recruit Course (TIRC), a structured training and assessment program. Upon successful completion, they will be appointed as an Authorised Officer and Authorised Person (without restrictions), enabling them to perform the full duties of a Transport Inspector under the following legislation:
• Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (TORUM)
• Tow Truck Act 2023
• Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 (TOPTA).

Applications will remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/699613/26

Closing Date: Monday, 14 September 2026

Occupational group

Auditing & Compliance