Technical Recoveries Advisor

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.

• $120,908.00 per annum + superannuation
• Full Time, Fixed Term (Until 10/07/2026)
• Melbourne / Geelong (Hybrid 3 days per week in the office - adhoc travel required between locations)

About the role

This role sits within WorkSafe's Dispute Management Division, which has the primary responsibility for the management of common law claims and related litigation; recovery of paid compensation from liable third parties; oversight of claim related litigation generally; and contract management of WorkSafe's Legal Panel Firms and Cost Consultants.

The purpose of this role is to identify, allocate, instruct, and effectively manage WorkSafe's recovery of paid compensation under Section 369 of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013, for a portfolio of matters, from negligent third parties. Specifically, the Technical Recoveries Advisor will be responsible for the assessment, negotiation, management and resolution of claims allocated to Legal Panel firms and internally at WorkSafe.

This position also requires attendance in Melbourne and other court locations when required.

Key Accountabilities

• Strategically identify, from available data, common law application and information (including Claims Agent files), potential recoveries including from TAC and non-TAC related incidents.
• Applying common law principles and legislative requirements, determine the appropriate extent of a third party's liability to WorkSafe and make informed decisions on the costs/benefits and risks as to whether to pursue recoveries.
• Within the model litigant framework, resolve WorkSafe's right to recover compensation, including providing appropriate instructions to WorkSafe's solicitors to resolve claims.
• Manage some claims directly (without external solicitors) and negotiate directly with public liability insurers in order to resolve WorkSafe's right of recovery.
• Assist in the ongoing development of the recoveries litigation framework to continuously improve legal processes and litigation strategies.

Please ensure you review the Position Description provided via the WorkSafe Victoria Careers site for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

About you

You have extensive knowledge of recoveries or common law litigation management and the capability to apply legal skills and expertise to design and drive strategic and structural changes within the legal panel to effect efficient outcomes. Your effective stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills are the foundation for the outcomes you achieve.

In addition, ideally you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Demonstrated experience in analysing legal documentation e.g. Statements of Claim and other pleadings, Interrogatories, Affidavits, legal advises etc.
• Demonstrated experience in the field of workers compensation, particularly as it relates to legislative requirements, application of the WIRCA, ACA, TAA, Wrongs Act, case law and associated litigation processes.
• Exercise a high degree of judgement in leading and directing panel firms on legal and procedural aspects of Section 369 Recoveries litigation and using case law appropriately in this area of practice.
• Experience in managing legal practitioners through effective legal direction and providing litigation instructions within a complex regulatory environment.
• Sound technical knowledge of the law of negligence in relation to personal injury, and insurance principles including indemnity and dual insurance.
• High level strategic, analytical, legal and litigation decision making capabilities.
• Experience with a legal, agent or professional services environment with an understanding of legal system and litigation process.

Working with Us

At WorkSafe, we aspire for every employee to feel connected, safe and valued in their team, for teams to feel valued in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be valued in the community.

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

What's next?

Applications close 11:00pm on Wednesday 1st October 2025. Click the link to apply, and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.

Only applications submitted via our formal application channels (WorkSafe Careers website, SEEK or LinkedIn) will be considered.

Preferred candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and/or other checks as required for the position as part of the recruitment process.

Eligibility for ongoing employment with WorkSafe Victoria requires Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.

Due to the volume of applications received, individualised feedback will only be provided to candidates who progress to interview stage.

For further enquiries please contact David Heaney via email