Workplace Relations Advisor

WorkSafe Victoria; Geelong; Hybrid; AUD 112,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Hybrid work from Geelong

Job summary

WorkSafe Victoria is seeking a Workplace Relations Advisor to support a positive, compliant and high‑performing workplace. You will provide expert guidance on employee relations, compliance and governance across a diverse portfolio.

You’ll partner with leaders and employees, develop employment policies, review data for risk insights and contribute to organisation-wide governance and assurance activities. This role sits in the People & Culture Division and offers a hybrid Geelong-based

Qualifications

• Experience in workplace relations, employee relations or HR functions.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, enterprise agreements, policy development and compliance requirements.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies and legislative frameworks to complex workplace situations.
• Experience supporting governance, audit or risk management activities.
• Exceptional written communication skills for policies, reports and briefing papers.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice on employee relations, industrial relations and workplace matters, including grievances and disputes.
• Coordinate compliance and governance activities, including declarations and obligations.
• Lead the development and implementation of employment-related policies and guidance.
• Analyse workplace data, identify trends and risk, and inform decisions.
• Prepare reports, briefing papers and governance documentation for senior leaders.
• Partner with stakeholders and support projects and enterprise agreement activities.

Skills

Workplace relations

Employment legislation

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical & problem-solving

Written communication

Autonomy & prioritisation

Education

Tertiary qualification in HR/Employment/IR/Business or related

Job description

WorkSafe is Victoria's workplace health and safety regulator. We are also the workplace injury insurer. Our job is to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers. This is our promise to the Victorian community and the reason we exist.

Workplace Relations Advisor

• $124,535 per annum + 12% superannuation
• Full time / Ongoing
• Wadawurrung/Geelong based role (hybrid work from home - 3 days a week in office)

About the opportunity

Join WorkSafe's People & Culture Division as a Workplace Relations Advisor, where you'll play a key role in supporting a positive, compliant and high-performing workplace.

As part of a specialist Workplace Relations team, you'll work across a diverse portfolio spanning workplace relations, compliance, governance and policy development. You'll provide trusted advice on employment and industrial matters, coordinate key compliance obligations, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen our people practices and support organisational success.

This is an exciting opportunity to partner with leaders, employees and key stakeholders across WorkSafe, while contributing to governance and reporting activities that support Executive and Board-level governance and assurance.

Please ensure you review the Position Description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

What You'll Do

• Provide specialist advice on employee relations, industrial relations and workplace matters, including grievances, disputes and workplace concerns.
• Coordinate key compliance and governance activities, including conflict of interest, private interest, gifts, benefits and hospitality declarations, Child Safe Standards obligations and other People & Culture compliance requirements.
• Lead the review, development and implementation of employment-related policies, procedures and guidance materials.
• Analyse workplace relations data, identify trends and risks, and provide recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefing papers, governance documentation and recommendations for senior leaders, committees and other stakeholders.
• Partner with stakeholders across the organisation and support Workplace Relations projects, continuous improvement initiatives and Enterprise Agreement activities.

About you

You are a workplace relations, employee relations or human resources professional who enjoys balancing legislation, compliance and practical people outcomes. You can confidently navigate complex workplace issues, build trusted relationships and provide clear, evidence-based advice to stakeholders at all levels.

You bring a strong attention to detail, enjoy analysing information and solving problems, and have the confidence to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Additionally, you will possess the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated experience in workplace relations, employee relations, industrial relations or broader human resources functions.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, enterprise agreements, policy development and workplace compliance requirements.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies, procedures and legislative frameworks to complex workplace situations.
• Experience supporting or coordinating compliance, governance, audit or risk management activities.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to prepare policies, reports, briefing papers and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of an organisation.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Employment Relations, Industrial Relations, Business, Risk, Compliance or a related discipline.
• Experience working within government, the public sector or another highly regulated environment.
• Experience supporting enterprise agreement implementation, workplace governance or compliance frameworks.
• Knowledge of Victorian Public Sector employment frameworks and workplace relations practices.

What Success Looks Like

In your first 12 months, you will have:

• Become a trusted advisor on employment, workplace relations and compliance matters across WorkSafe.
• Successfully coordinated key compliance and governance activities, including annual attestation and reporting requirements.
• Delivered improvements to workplace policies, procedures and guidance materials.
• Built strong relationships with leaders, employees and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Provided practical advice that supports fair, compliant and effective workplace outcomes.
• Contributed to a positive workplace culture through strong stakeholder engagement and sound workplace relations practices.

Working with us

At WorkSafe, our goal is for every employee to feel connected, safe, and valued within their team, for teams to feel appreciated in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be respected in the community.

We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals, including First Nations people, people with disabilities, those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and individuals of all sexualities and genders.

What's next?

• Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and any other relevant pre-employment checks.
• To be eligible for ongoing employment with WorkSafe Victoria, applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or hold Australian permanent residency.

At WorkSafe, we are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the Victorian community. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities and experiences. If you require adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.