Become a SafeWork NSW Inspector
Learn more about SafeWork NSW Inspectors including our expression of interest process.
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Become a SafeWork NSW Inspector
For SafeWork NSW Inspector recruitment visit iworkfornsw.gov.au.
If you are placed into an upcoming SafeWork inspector role, ongoing employment is contingent upon completion of a Diploma of Government (Workplace Inspection,) through our internal training provider within 12 months of commencement.
The training for this Diploma includes some virtual and self-paced study, as well as face-to-face modules undertaken in the Greater Sydney area.
About the SafeWork NSW inspectorate
Our SafeWork Inspectors have a genuine passion for the health and safety of people and their workplaces. Their goal is to ensure that the workers of NSW return home to their families at the end of every day. You’ll often find us on-site at workplaces offering advice on:
- improving work health and safety
- providing licences and registration for potentially dangerous work
- investigating workplace incidents, and
- enforcing work health and safety laws across NSW.
With more than a third of Australia's entire economic output coming from NSW, the work we do to make workplaces safe is important. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the workers of NSW return home to their families at the end of every day.
A day in the life of an Inspector
Our teams
All Inspectors can be involved in:
- securing compliance with legislation related to workplace and community safety
- facilitating presentations, workshops, advisory services and participate in forums to educate and engage customers, stakeholders and industries across NSW.
- conducting investigations into workplace incidents and legislative breaches
- building industry capability through collaborative stakeholder engagement, evidence and risk-based harm prevention initiatives
- delivering projects aimed at reducing fatalities, serious injuries and illness
- providing specialist compliance advice and assistance
- regulating licensing regimes and accredited third party providers
- contributing to the development of guidance materials and policy.
WHS compliance
As an Inspector in Workplace Health and Safety Compliance, you will be responsible for undertaking SafeWork’s incident response, investigations and various other compliance and industry capability building activities.
You will work with NSW employers to assist them in creating and maintaining workplaces where employees return home safely each day. The WHS Compliance team has a presence in both metropolitan and regional NSW and works across a huge range of industry sectors.
Construction services
As an Inspector in Construction Services, you will be providing a strategic approach to supporting a safe, healthy and productive construction industry within NSW.
This is achieved through a strong and consistent approach from all our Inspectors. Construction Services has a presence in both metropolitan and regional NSW.
You will work closely with other regulators including Fair Trading NSW and the Office of the Building Commissioner to collectively improve standards within the sector.
Health and safe design
The Directorate has specialist areas that focus on Health and Safe Design including Psychological Health, Engineering, Workplace Health, Ergonomics, Return to Work and the work environment.
As an Inspector in Health and Safe Design, you will apply your expertise in a strategic and operational way to ensure compliance and enforcement with work health and safety obligations through internal and external advice and regulatory services.
Investigations and emergency response
As an Inspector in Investigations and Emergency Response, you will be responsible for undertaking SafeWork’s incident response, investigations, preparing briefs of evidence for court proceedings, enforceable undertakings and state emergency management functions.
Chemicals, explosives and safety auditing
As an Inspector in Chemicals, Explosives and Safety Auditing you will proactively engage with chemical companies and collaborate with other subject matter experts across many disciplines as part of a specialist team.
Engineering
As an inspector in Engineering, you’ll be responsible for the provision of technical expertise in mechanical, civil and electrical engineering to businesses across NSW, industry groups, government agencies and inspectors on matters relating to the work health and safety.
We work with other state regulators, industry associations and Standards Australia to achieve national standards and consistency regarding the WHS legislation and Codes of Practice.
About you
Skills and knowledge
To be successful you will have excellent technical industry knowledge, practical workplace safety experience (beneficial) and safety-related qualifications (beneficial).
You will:
- possess excellent communication skills including the ability to negotiate and influence
- bring a solution-focused approach to problem-solving.
- be consultative, engaging, inquisitive and educational in your interactions with stakeholders
- have the ability to identify and manage complex health and safety issues and concerns
- display resilience to adverse circumstances
- work collaboratively in a diverse team, whilst retaining the ability to work with autonomy
- be competent using a wide range of technology such as tablets and computer applications
- hold a valid NSW Drivers Licence with a satisfactory driving record and be willing to travel throughout NSW as required.
Experience and qualifications
We celebrate the diversity of backgrounds and experiences that our Inspectors bring to their roles and encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.
Relevant qualifications in occupational health and safety are beneficial but this is not an essential requirement.
We also encourage people with experience in the following industries to reach out:
- safety management
- WHS consultancy or advisory
- health services
- manufacturing
- logistics
- agriculture
- construction
- mining
- engineering.
Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and flexibility
The Department of Customer Service and SafeWork NSW are committed to diversity, inclusion and new ways of working.
The Department of Customer Service serves all the people of NSW and we want to reflect that diversity in our people. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, carers, refugees, people in regional NSW and people of all ages.
We strive to be an inclusive workplace where all our people can bring their authentic selves to work without judgement.
We understand that there are different ways of getting the job done and offer flexible working arrangements where and when possible.
How to apply
Application
Include an up to date CV and cover letter (aim for under 2 pages for each). Be sure to include all relevant training, education and certifications.
Review
Our Team will review your application for suitability and skills. We’ll reach out to you to confirm any additional compliances that we may need.
Assessments
You’ll be asked to complete two assessments to help understand your capabilities. This may involve a video interview.
Interview
This will involve a panel interview. It’s an opportunity for you to share examples of your knowledge and experience through a range of behavioural and technical questions.
Probity checks
You’ll be asked to complete a range of background checks which will include a Health Screening, two reference checks, a National Criminal Record Check and an Australian Working Rights Verification.
If you’re successful in your expression of interest for a position on the SafeWork NSW Inspector Talent Pool, you'll also be required to maintain:
- a satisfactory driving record
- medical capacity screening regarding physical and psychological impacts of the inherent duties of the role.
Talent pool
If you’re successful through this process, you’ll be placed on the SafeWork Inspectorate Talent Pool.
You’ll remain active on the Talent Pool for 18 months which enables you to be considered for all upcoming Inspector opportunities during this period without requiring further formal assessment.
During this time our line of communication is always open, be sure to keep your MyCareer Profile updated and we’ll call you should any roles be available.
Training
If you are placed into a role as an Inspector, you will need to complete a Diploma of Government (Workplace Inspection) within 12 months of commencement. This is a condition of ongoing employment.
The training for this Diploma is through our internal Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and includes virtual and self-paced study as well as face-to-face modules undertaken in Greater Sydney.
If you're successful
SafeWork NSW Inspectors can initially be placed within a range of operational areas.
You will be able to build a range of regulatory and technical skills by working across these areas which are briefly described above in Our Teams.
Questions
If you need to ask us any follow up questions, or require reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, please email our Talent Acquisition team.