Work Health & Safety Lead

Where good people grow great futures 

At Dairy Australia, we believe in growing great futures - that includes yours. Here, you'll contribute to something bigger: the livelihood of farmers, the sustainability of communities in dairy regions and the future of one of Australia's most vital industries. 

Working alongside people whose knowledge and passion run deep, you’ll love being part of a team where flexibility matters and support comes in abundance. What’s more, we’re as invested in your growth as we are in the industry's future. 

Whether you’re new to the industry or bring years of experience to the table, if you’re after work that’s practical, challenging and deeply connected to real outcomes, you’ll find it at Dairy Australia.  To learn more, watch the video below.

Your opportunity

As Work Health & Safety Lead, you will be Dairy Australia’s subject-matter expert for workplace health and safety. You will provide technical leadership and operational oversight of our WHS framework, helping the organisation meet its legislative obligations, maintain effective safety governance and continue building a strong safety culture.

This is an exciting permanent part-time (0.6) opportunity to help strengthen physical and psychological safety across Dairy Australia while supporting practical improvements in safety capability across the dairy industry.

Beyond Dairy Australia, you will work with regional teams and industry partners to translate emerging risks and industry needs into practical, evidence-based guidance, education and resources that support meaningful changes in safety practice on farm.

Reporting to the GM - People, you will:

• Provide practical WHS advice and guidance to leaders and employees across Dairy Australia.
• Maintain and continuously improve our WHS framework, policies, systems and governance.
• Oversee risk assessments, audits and assurance across physical and psychosocial safety risks.
• Lead or coordinate incident and near-miss investigations and monitor actions through to closure.
• Use safety data and insights to identify emerging risks, trends and improvement priorities.
• Develop evidence-based industry initiatives, guidance and resources that strengthen safety on farm.

About you

You are an experienced and pragmatic WHS professional who combines technical rigour with practical implementation. You use sound judgement, evidence and strong relationships to influence positive safety outcomes, and you can communicate complex obligations in ways that people can understand and apply.

Success in this role will be supported by your:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in WHS, occupational health and safety or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Australian WHS legislation and contemporary physical and psychosocial safety practice.
• Experience conducting incident investigations, audits, assurance activities and risk assessments.
• Ability to analyse safety data and prepare clear recommendations and governance reporting.
• Strong consultation, facilitation and influencing skills across varied organisational and industry settings.

Why Dairy Australia? 

Are you someone who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and make things happen? At Dairy Australia, you’ll fit right in. 

Here, you’ll be surrounded by good people who are genuine, down to earth and as driven as you. Our people care – about the work, each other and doing what’s right for the industry. You’ll see this every day, whether you work in our Melbourne office or in any of our eight dairy regions across Australia. 

We believe your best work happens when you're supported to thrive. That's why we focus on creating the right environment for you to make a meaningful impact while maintaining a genuine work-life balance. 

What does this mean for you? 

• Flexibility that works: Find a better balance with hybrid working across our Southbank office and your home office. Structure your work around what needs to get done - because we know your best work happens when life is in balance. 
• Where good people grow: You'll be part of a close-knit, high-performing team of grounded changemakers, where your expertise is valued and your professional growth is actively encouraged.  
• Culture of innovation and care: Here at Dairy Australia, we’re open to each other’s ideas, we operate with integrity, and we're driven to find the best solutions for our employees and stakeholders - because we’re all united by a common purpose.  

Join us and help build great futures

This role offers the opportunity to make a positive difference for our people, farmers and the wider dairy industry. By combining expert advice with practical action, you will help create safer ways of working and strengthen confidence in how physical and psychological safety risks are understood and managed.

You will collaborate across metropolitan, regional and industry settings, build partnerships and challenge established approaches where there is a better way forward. Through continuous learning and evidence-based improvement, you will help make safety guidance more relevant, usable and impactful.

If your motivations and skillset align with what you’ve read, please apply with your CV and Cover Letter. 

Please note: As part of Dairy Australia’s recruitment process, you may be required to undergo a National Police Check and provide evidence of your right to work in Australia.