Unlocking the Secrets of Safe Work Australia: Your 60-Second Guide to a Government Career 🚀
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at Safe Work Australia? We’ve done the heavy lifting and dissected their latest annual report, so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this national policy body—from its key functions and finances to the essential skills and qualifications they’re looking for. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or a fresh graduate, this guide will give you the knowledge to chart a rewarding government career.
AT-A-GLANCE
Name of Department / Council: Safe Work Australia
Location: Australia-wide (Head office in Canberra, ACT)
CEO: Ms. Marie Boland
Total Revenue: $24.46 million (2023–24)
Total Number of Employees: 100 (as of 30 June 2024)
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
🎯 Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited
Work Health and Safety (WHS) / Occupational Health & Safety (Certificate/Diploma/Bachelor/Master/PhD): Builds crucial expertise in hazard identification, risk control, and legislation.
Business Administration / Public Administration: Supports strategic planning, policy-making, and project management in a public-sector environment.
Law / Legal Studies: Vital for interpreting legislative frameworks (including the model WHS laws).
Data Analytics / Statistics: Drives evidence-based policy through analysis of work-related injury and illness trends.
Human Resources / Industrial Relations: Helps shape best-practice recruitment processes and manage workforce needs.
🎯 Top 5 Certifications Most Suited
Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety: Offers practical WHS skills to ensure safer workplaces.
Project Management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP): Manages national initiatives and coordinates stakeholders effectively.
Audit and Compliance Certifications: Key for evaluating policies and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Government Procurement / Contract Management: Manages public funds responsibly and ensures best value.
Change Management Certifications: Helps navigate updates in legislation and organisational structures.
🎯 Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited
Policy Officers and Advisors: Develop and shape legislation to keep workers safe.
Lawyers / Legal Advisors: Provide expert legal guidance on WHS and workers’ compensation.
Data Analysts / Researchers: Offer statistical insights to inform and refine policy.
Communications Specialists: Create awareness campaigns on workplace safety.
Finance / HR Professionals: Oversee budgeting, recruitment, and resource allocation.
🎯 Top 5 Skills Most Suited
Soft Skills:
Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborating across jurisdictions and sectors.
Communication & Influencing – Translating complex info into user-friendly language.
Collaboration & Teamwork – Working in tripartite groups (government, workers, employers).
Problem-Solving – Coming up with creative solutions to reduce workplace risks.
Adaptability & Resilience – Handling policy changes and public expectations.
Technical Skills:
Data Analysis & Reporting – Leveraging national compensation and injury statistics.
Regulatory Compliance Knowledge – Knowing the ins and outs of model WHS laws.
Policy Development – Crafting and reviewing legislation, Codes of Practice, and national strategies.
IT & Digital Literacy – Using digital platforms for communication and resource management.
Risk Management – Applying systematic approaches to identify and control hazards.
General Skills:
Research & Evaluation – Ensuring initiatives are backed by solid evidence.
Project Coordination – Juggling multiple tasks and deadlines across different regions.
Report Writing – Summarising findings and drafting briefs for leadership.
Leadership & Mentoring – Guiding teams to execute national or jurisdictional strategies.
Customer Service Orientation – Tailoring guidance and resources to varied stakeholder needs.
🎯 Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited
Government or Regulatory Roles: Firsthand policy or enforcement experience.
Legal or Compliance Background: Ideal for interpreting complex legislation and advising on compliance.
Research or Academic Experience: Helps translate evidence-based findings into practical WHS applications.
HR or Industrial Relations Experience: Valuable for return-to-work and staff well-being programs.
Project Management in Public or Private Sectors: Demonstrates skill in coordinating national-level programs.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Safe Work Australia
Name of CEO: Ms. Marie Boland
Location: Australia-wide (Head office in Canberra, ACT)
Year Founded: 2008 (Established under the Safe Work Australia Act 2008)
Main Mission and Purpose:
Safe Work Australia aims to reduce work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses by developing national WHS and workers’ compensation policy. For instance, they tackle hazardous exposures like silica dust through updated regulations and coordinate with all jurisdictions for consistent safety standards.Main Duties of the Department:
Developing, evaluating, and revising national WHS and workers’ compensation policies.
Overseeing and refining the model WHS legislative framework.
Leading education and outreach campaigns on workplace safety.
Publishing research and data on injury trends, ensuring transparency.
Collaborating with governments, workers, and employers on national policy.
Real-world example: Safe Work Australia runs the “Clean Air. Clear Lungs. Be Silica Smart” campaign to protect workers from silica-related diseases.
Key Projects, Strategic Priorities, Future Plans & Initiatives:
Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023–2033 – Helps drive down fatalities and injuries through research and regulation.
Engineered Stone Prohibition – A landmark effort to reduce silicosis cases in Australia.
Stronger Regulation of Crystalline Silica – Tightening controls around hazardous materials containing silica.
National Return to Work Strategy 2020–2030 – Streamlines and improves workers’ return-to-work processes.
Did You Know?
Around 120,000 workers are compensated each year for a serious work-related injury or illness, and nearly 200 are killed at work. Safe Work Australia’s national approach focuses on reducing these tragic statistics.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 100 (ongoing and non-ongoing)
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level
SES2: 1
SES1: 4
EL2: 16
EL1: 36
APS6: 18
APS5: 11
APS4: 14
APS3: 0
APS2: 0
APS1: 0
Other: 0
Salary Bands (Annual Base Salary Ranges):
APS1: $55,711 – $60,916
APS2: $65,435 – $69,766
APS3: $73,067 – $76,067
APS4: $79,478 – $85,514
APS5: $87,781 – $93,659
APS6: $98,606 – $108,765
EL1: $121,205 – $149,503
EL2: $142,828 – $175,699
SES1: $206,810 – $267,402
SES2: $276,040 – $312,700
Average Salary in the Department: Ranges widely based on classification (from ~$55k at APS1 to over $300k at SES2).
Total Revenue: $24.46 million (2023–24)
Average Revenue per Employee: Approximately $244,600
GETTING A JOB AT SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA
🎯 Which Academic Subjects Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Certificate IV in WHS or HR: Hands-on compliance or workforce skills.
Diploma in Project Management: Coordinating national projects efficiently.
Diploma in Business / Policy: Supporting everyday administrative duties.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Occupational Health & Safety, Public Policy, Law: Building blocks of legislative and policy work.
Business, Commerce, Data Analytics: Driving evidence-based planning and budgeting.
Communications / Marketing: Building campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.
PhDs:
Workplace Psychology / Public Health / Epidemiology / Law: Leading-edge research on workplace risks and legal frameworks.
🎯 Which Trades and Professions Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Administrative & Policy Officers – Supporting daily operations and strategic planning.
Legal Experts – Interpreting regulations and advising on WHS compliance.
Data / Research Specialists – Analyzing patterns in workplace injuries and fatalities.
Finance & Procurement Officers – Overseeing spending and contract management.
Digital Media & Communications Practitioners – Designing public safety campaigns.
🎯 Which Work Experiences Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Policy and Legislation: Shaping or improving the model WHS laws.
Compliance and Enforcement: Translating front-line insights into practical guidance.
Stakeholder Engagement: Navigating the interests of governments, workers, and employers.
Data Analysis & Research Projects: Informing hazard identification and risk control decisions.
Project / Contract Management: Implementing policy changes under tight deadlines.
🎯 Which Skills Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Soft Skills: Effective communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving.
Technical Skills: Policy writing, legal knowledge, risk management, data analysis, digital literacy.
General Skills: Clear report writing, project coordination, critical thinking, presentation, continuous improvement.
🎯 Which Hobbies and Interests Align with the Work of This Department?
Community or Volunteer Work: Demonstrates a passion for public well-being.
Reading & Researching Current Affairs: Reflects an understanding of emerging WHS challenges.
Public Speaking & Advocacy: Showcases communication and influence.
Team Sports or Group Activities: Highlights collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?
Contact the department:
Address: 2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra, ACT 2601
Postal: GPO Box 641, Canberra, ACT 2601
Email: communication@swa.gov.au
Website: www.swa.gov.au
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.