Senior WHS Operations Officer - Flexible Safety Leader

Defence Housing Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15.4% superannuation

Generous leave entitlements

Work-life balance and flexible working

Positive workplace culture

Career progression

Employee Assistance Program

ADF partner employment conditions

Job summary

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is seeking a Senior Work Health & Safety Operations Officer to strengthen safety culture and ensure wellbeing across DHA workplaces. You will provide specialist WHS advice, manage physical and psychosocial risks, and drive improvement initiatives with leaders, employees and stakeholders across Australia.

Join a collaborative HR team and lead a small WHS team to deliver meaningful safety outcomes for our people, with a forward-looking approach to safety beyond

Qualifications

• Experience delivering WHS programs and advice.
• Strong communication with leaders and staff.
• Ability to lead safety initiatives and projects.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen DHA's safety culture and wellbeing programs.
• Provide specialist WHS advice across the organisation.
• Manage physical and psychosocial risk controls.
• Lead initiatives and drive continuous improvement in WHS.
• Coordinate complex work and support a small WHS team.

Skills

WHS leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Ready to make an impact? Join DHA as a Senior Work Health & Safety Operations Officer and help shape a safer workplace. Apply now!

Position: Senior Work Health & Safety Operations Officer

Level: DHA6

Salary Range: $104,793 to $120,411 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation

Location: Canberra, Adelaide

About us

DHA was established in 1988 following passage of the Defence Housing Australia Act 1987 (DHA Act) to provide adequate and suitable housing for, and housing related services to, members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families. We remain committed to our purpose of providing housing, and housing related services, to ADF members and their families to support Defence’s operational needs.

DHA manages an expanding portfolio of housing solutions and provides housing for over 17,200 ADF members and their families and administers rent allowance for more than 16,000 ADF members and their families in private rental accommodation. DHA provides housing related services advising on eligibility, providing posting support, and managing bookings and allocation services for all DHA provisioned housing and on-base accommodation to approximately 60,000 ADF members.

To find out more about DHA, please refer to our website or read our latest Annual Report.

About your team

Join a collaborative and forward-thinking Human Resources team committed to creating a safe, inclusive and high-performing workplace.

WHS sits within DHA’s Human Resources branch, which partners with stakeholders across the organisation to deliver practical, people-focused solutions throughout the employee lifecycle. Our work spans recruitment, workplace conditions, workforce planning, learning and development, performance, employee support and WHS, as well as initiatives that strengthen culture, capability and engagement.

You’ll be part of an experienced and supportive team that values collaboration, continuous improvement and fresh ideas. It’s a dynamic environment where you’ll have the opportunity to build strong relationships, share your expertise and contribute to positive outcomes for our people.

About the role

At DHA, safety is more than compliance. It’s about people.

As our Senior Work Health & Safety Operations Officer, you’ll play a key role in strengthening DHA’s safety culture and creating a workplace where physical and psychological wellbeing are prioritised.

Working with leaders, employees and stakeholders across Australia, you’ll provide specialist WHS advice, manage physical and psychosocial risks, lead initiatives and support continuous improvement across the organisation.

This is an opportunity to use your expertise and influence to shape WHS strategies, build capability and embed practical, proactive approaches to safety. You may also lead complex work, coordinate competing priorities and support a small team to deliver meaningful outcomes for our people.

Benefits for working at DHA include:

• 15.4% superannuation
• Generous leave entitlements, including 18 days personal leave and 20 days annual leave per year
• Work-life balance and flexible working options
• A positive workplace culture where you can bring your whole self to work
• Opportunities to broaden your industry knowledge and experience
• Career progression and opportunities
• A dedicated Employee Assistance Program for you and your family to access in times of need
• ADF partner employment conditions when posting to a new location

For information on DHA’s Employee Value Proposition, visit our website.

How to apply

Apply now with your current resume and a 500-word one page pitch, addressing the requirements of the role. We recommend you read the Australian Public Service Commission’s Cracking the Code guidance on how to write your response. Additionally, you should consider the expected behaviours described in the Australian Public Service Commission’s Integrated Leadership System at this role’s level.

For further information on the position, please refer to the Candidate Information Pack through the online careers site.

Applications close: 11:55pm AEST 08 November 2026. Any questions? Please contact Katerina Martch, Assistant Director WHS T: 02 6268 3737 E: [e-mail]

Order of Merit

A merit pool will be established from this process which will be valid for 18 months from the date of advertising. This merit pool may be used throughout this period to fill similar positions in the event positions become vacant.

Inclusion and Diversity

DHA is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from across our community including, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ+, ex-defence members, mature-aged employees and carers.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Employment with DHA is conditional on successful applicants demonstrating that they are an Australian citizen and can obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level.