Work Health & Safety Business Partner - Warehouse & Property

Independence Australia Group; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Australia Group in Melbourne is seeking a pragmatic WHS Business Partner for Warehouse & Property to translate safety strategy into practical actions across warehouse, logistics, and national property portfolios.

You will partner with senior leaders, lead investigations, implement risk controls, and coach teams to raise WHS ownership while managing contractor and facilities safety across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in WHS or equivalent experience. WHS management systems auditing or contractor management certifications are highly regarded.
• Proven experience in a dedicated WHS business partnering role, supporting warehouse/logistics, contractor management, facilities, and corporate office environments.
• Subject matter expertise across forklift/traffic management, racking safety, contractor WHS compliance (SWMS), ergonomics, physical security, and regulatory incident reporting.
• Exceptional coaching, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills to influence decision-making and deliver practical risk controls.
• High initiative and ability to travel nationally to support property, office, and warehouse projects.

Responsibilities

• Warehouse & Logistics Safety: Partner with warehouse leaders to manage risks around forklift/mobile plant operations, traffic management, racking systems, and material handling; lead incident investigations and review safe systems of work.
• Property & Facilities Safety: Provide WHS advice across national office and property sites, covering ergonomics, building safety, emergency preparedness, physical security, occupational violence, office relocations, and fit-outs.
• Contractor Management: Develop and oversee contractor WHS management processes, reviewing SWMS, licences, and insurances while monitoring high-risk works and managing overlapping WHS duties.
• Risk Management & Business Partnering: Build trusted national relationships across operational teams, facilitate evidence-based risk assessments, coach leaders to strengthen WHS ownership, and support worker/HSR consultation.
• Incident Management & Continuous Improvement: Lead complex incident investigations using root cause analysis, manage notifiable incident reporting to regulators, analyse safety trends, and foster a positive learning culture.

Skills

Forklift/traffic management

Racking safety

Contractor WHS compliance (SWMS)

Ergonomics

Physical security

Regulatory incident reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching

Education

Tertiary WHS qualification

Job description

Work Health & Safety Business Partner - Warehouse & Property

• Manufacturing
• Stores & Warehousing
• Melbourne
• Permanent / Full Time

16/10/2026

• Partner closely with senior leaders across multiple areas of the business
• Turn WHS strategy into practical, lasting impact

If you want to make a difference by having a positive impact on peoples’ lives, then a career with Independence Australia Group may be for you.

About us

Independence Australia Group is a social enterprise that supports people with disability, children, and families. We provide choices and opportunities that enable people to live with dignity, regain and retain their independence, and build meaningful connections within an inclusive community.

About the role

Reporting to the WHS leadership team, the WHS Business Partner – Warehouse & Property plays a critical, practical role in supporting the safety performance of our warehouse, logistics, corporate office, and national property portfolios.

We are seeking a solutions-focused WHS professional who understands operational risk and can confidently partner with leaders, facilities teams, contractors, and workers across diverse environments. You will act as the subject matter expert across warehouse traffic management, racking systems, mobile plant, contractor management, ergonomics, and property safety—helping leaders challenge assumptions, investigate complex incidents, and implement practical risk controls that deliver real safety outcomes.

What you will do

• Warehouse & Logistics Safety: Partner with warehouse leaders to manage risks around forklift/mobile plant operations, traffic management, racking systems, and material handling; lead incident investigations and review safe systems of work.
• Property & Facilities Safety: Provide WHS advice across national office and property sites, covering ergonomics, building safety, emergency preparedness, physical security, occupational violence, office relocations, and fit-outs.
• Contractor Management: Develop and oversee contractor WHS management processes, reviewing SWMS, licences, and insurances while monitoring high-risk works and managing overlapping WHS duties.
• Risk Management & Business Partnering: Build trusted national relationships across operational teams, facilitate evidence-based risk assessments, coach leaders to strengthen WHS ownership, and support worker/HSR consultation.
• Incident Management & Continuous Improvement: Lead complex incident investigations using root cause analysis, manage notifiable incident reporting to regulators, analyse safety trends, and foster a positive learning culture.

About you

You are a pragmatic, adaptable WHS professional who enjoys spending time in operations, building strong relationships, and helping leaders solve problems. You move seamlessly from the warehouse floor to the corporate office, tailoring your advice to the environment and risks involved.

• Qualifications: Tertiary qualification in WHS or equivalent experience. WHS management systems auditing or contractor management certifications are highly regarded.
• Experience: Proven experience in a dedicated WHS business partnering role, supporting warehouse/logistics, contractor management, facilities, and corporate office environments.
• Technical Expertise: Subject matter expertise across forklift/traffic management, racking safety, contractor WHS compliance (SWMS), ergonomics, physical security, and regulatory incident reporting.
• Key Capabilities: Exceptional coaching, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence decision-making and move beyond rigid compliance to deliver practical risk controls.
• Operational Flexibility: High degree of initiative, confidence working autonomously across sites, and availability to travel nationally to support property, office, and warehouse projects as required.

Why work with us

As a valued member of our team, you have access to a range of benefits and perks to ensure you thrive, including:

• Competitive Salary Packaging: Maximise your take-home pay through our generous social enterprise tax benefits.
• Flexible Working Model: Enjoy a hybrid balance of autonomy, remote flexibility, and collaborative on-site engagement.
• Professional Growth: Capitalise on ongoing development opportunities across WHS, governance, risk, and national property portfolios.
• A Supportive Culture: Work within a values-driven environment that prioritises equity, empathy, respect, and excellence.
• Direct Sector Impact: See the tangible, positive rewards of your strategic advice reflected directly in enhanced staff wellbeing and participant outcomes.

Work with Purpose

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to participate in life and the community, regardless of ability. Our aim is to improve the quality of life and provide access to products, resources and support to allow people to make choices to enhance their well‑being and lifestyle, whether it’s in their own home, local community or in our residential facilities.

As a social enterprise, we redistribute the surplus funds generated through the sale of over 12,000 healthcare products, mobility aids, and equipment into programs that support people living with disability.

Independence Australia Group includes Independence Australia, Zest Care, SASI, AQA and Possability Group. Read more about our story at independenceaustralia.com.au.

Commitment to Diversity

Independence Australia Group is an equal opportunity employer and believe our people should reflect the diverse communities we operate in. We encourage applications from people with a disability, CALD, LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply. If you have any questions about accessibility during recruitment or about the workplace, please contact our People Experience team on [e-mail].