Occupational Health & Safety Adviser
Help organisations identify workplace risks, investigate incidents and develop systems that keep employees safe and workplaces compliant.
What They Do
Occupational Health & Safety Advisers help organisations create safer workplaces by identifying hazards, assessing risks and developing policies and procedures that reduce the likelihood of injury.
They inspect workplaces, review work practices, investigate incidents and advise managers and employees about safety legislation, equipment and risk controls.
Jobs and Skills Australia also identifies workplace auditing, employee safety training, incident reporting, ergonomic assessment and coordinating the return of injured workers among the occupation’s major responsibilities.
Who This Career Suits
This career suits people who enjoy problem solving, working with people and improving how workplaces operate.
Safety advisers need strong attention to detail because potential hazards can involve machinery, chemicals, construction activities, workplace systems or human behaviour.
It can particularly suit someone who likes combining practical workplace inspections with analysis, communication, training and policy development.
Key Skills
Risk Assessment, Communication, Problem Solving, Safety Compliance, Incident Investigation, Attention to Detail, Training, Report Writing
Work Environment
Office, Construction Site, Industrial, Field-Based, Mixed
Education & Training
A common vocational pathway is the BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.
The qualification is designed for people working in WHS roles who provide technical safety knowledge, manage workplace risks and contribute to workplace health and safety systems.
There are no formal entry requirements, and the qualification contains ten units covering areas including WHS legislation, consultation, risk management, management systems and incident response.
Training can include:
risk assessments, WHS legislation, incident investigation, workplace inspections, consultation, hazard management, emergency procedures and safety-management systems.
Experienced practitioners may progress to the BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety, which focuses more heavily on coordinating and maintaining organisational WHS programs.
Career Changer Pathway
Workplace safety can suit people moving from construction, trades, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, human resources, operations or supervisory roles.
Practical industry experience can be particularly valuable because safety advisers need to understand how work is actually performed before recommending effective controls.
Career changers commonly complete a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety and build experience through Safety Coordinator, WHS Officer or workplace compliance roles.
Early Career
Early-career safety professionals learn how to conduct workplace inspections, complete risk assessments and assist with incident investigations.
They may help maintain safety documentation, organise training and monitor compliance with workplace procedures.
Common entry roles include WHS Coordinator, Safety Officer, Safety Administrator or Junior Safety Adviser.
Mid Career
Experienced Occupational Health & Safety Advisers manage more complex risks and may take responsibility for safety across major projects, worksites or business units.
They may specialise in:
construction safety, industrial safety, mining, occupational health, contractor management, injury prevention, psychosocial hazards or safety-management systems.
They may also lead investigations, conduct formal audits and advise senior managers on safety performance.
Senior / Veteran Career
Experienced safety professionals can progress into Senior Safety Adviser, WHS Manager, Health & Safety Manager or Head of Safety roles.
Others move into consulting and provide specialist safety advice to multiple organisations or major projects.
Senior professionals may also specialise in auditing, risk management, governance, training, rehabilitation or executive-level health and safety leadership.
Salary Guide
Early Career
85000
Mid Career
120000
Senior / Veteran
150000
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Salary data source:
Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS
Salary data source URL:
Date :
9 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am
Career Outlook
Jobs and Skills Australia records approximately 20,600 Occupational Health and Safety Advisers, with employment spread across industries including public administration, construction and healthcare. Around 83% work full-time.
Workplace health and safety obligations apply across virtually every Australian industry, creating ongoing demand for professionals who can manage risk, investigate incidents and maintain effective safety systems.
Construction, infrastructure, mining, manufacturing and large organisations can provide particularly strong opportunities because of the complexity of their workplace risks and compliance requirements.
JSA does not currently publish annual employment growth for this detailed six-digit occupation, so the Strong rating should be treated as an assessment of the career's broad industry demand rather than an official JSA growth classification.
Job Outlook :
Outlook Source :
Strong
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