WHS Business Partner and SMS Lead

The WHS Business Partner (Central) & Safety Management System (SMS) Lead is a 12 Month Parental Leave position based in Parramatta, NSW, within the Corporate Services Division of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). This role is central to strengthening NHVR's safety culture and systems. It is responsible for advancing the organisation's Safety Management System (SMS), ensuring it is robust, compliant, and continuously improving. The role provides proactive and legally sound workplace health and safety (WHS) advice, supporting leaders in managing critical risks and embedding safety into everyday operations. Additionally, it leads the development and delivery of WHS training initiatives across NHVR's leadership, helping to build capability and foster a proactive, safety-first mindset throughout the organisation.

Key responsibilities of this role are:

• Build and promote a safety culture in the Central Region.
• Coach managers on WHS risks and controls using the unified risk register.
• Change safety mindsets and behaviours across the organisation.
• Develop and improve WHS policies and systems.
• Conduct risk assessments, maintain risk registers, and lead incident investigations (using ICAM methodology).
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation and ISO standards.
• Engage with stakeholders to address strategic and operational WHS challenges.
• Create high-level documentation like reports, policies, and procedures.

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong project management and initiative leadership.
• Skilled in stakeholder consultation and safety investigations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Deep understanding of WHS legislation across multiple jurisdictions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and travel within NSW and interstate.

NHVR's Legal Services are currently undertaking growth and considerable transformation, and this is an exciting time to join the organisation.

To learn more, the position description can be found on the NHVR Careers site -

About You

To be successful in this role you will possess:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior WHS role.
• Highly Regarded:
• Experience in SMS development and management.
• ICAM qualifications for incident investigation.
• Tertiary qualifications in Health and Safety.
• Accreditation with Health and Safety industry bodies.

Why join us?

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) commenced operations in 2013 as the national entity responsible for regulating all vehicles in Australia over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. The NHVR minimises the compliance burden on the heavy vehicle transport industry, reduces duplication and inconsistences across state and territory borders, and ultimately for the heavy vehicle business with government in Australia.

We are headquartered in Brisbane and employ more than 1000 people across the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

We offer-

• A competitive salary package based on $148,069.48 per annum + a12 Month Parental Leave
• Options for monthly or fortnightly rostered day off.
• Additional paid leave over Christmas closure.
• Hybrid working environment – up to 2 days from home.
• Up to15.25% superannuation through a co-contribution scheme
• Leave loading 17.5%
• Wellbeing programs – discounted fitness through Fitness Passport, Discount health insurance, flu vaccine, financial programs including discounted banking products, finance information sessions.
• Salary packaging options including novated lease.
• Discounted IT products including Microsoft and free family password security plan.
• Ongoing training and professional development support
• Professional membership

Application Process

Please apply with your CV and cover letter addressing the essential requirements of the role.

Applications close: 5.00pm 29th September 2025 (applications may close earlier than the listed closing date if suitable candidate/s are identified prior).

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the NHVR recruitment team on

Successful applicants will be required to complete standard pre-employment checks including a national police and work rights check.

Please Note: We will not require any support from Recruitment Agencies at this time and kindly request no contact is made. Only direct applications will be considered.

We are committed to being an inclusive, diverse and flexible workplace where differences are valued. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experience and abilities.