Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

Position Classification: Health Manager Level 2

Remuneration: $109,857 - $129,624 +12% Super + Salary Packaging

Hours Per Week: 38 (or part-time of at least 20 hours pw)

Location: Waratah preferred but negotiable across HNE Local Health District

Requisition ID: REQ608212

Applications Close: Sunday, 12th October 2025

This is your opportunity to walk with community, lead with culture, and strengthen connection to Country in one of NSW's largest health districts.

Join us as Senior HR Business Partner (Identified) and help build a workplace where Aboriginal people and communities are supported, respected, and empowered.

This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria.

Walk With Us - Lead Change for Your Community

Hunter New England Local Health District is looking for a passionate and community-connected Senior Human Resources Business Partner (Identified) to help shape a workplace where Aboriginal voices, values, and cultures are at the heart of how we work.

About the Position

As a Senior HR Business Partner (Identified), you will bring cultural knowledge and HR expertise together to guide our leaders in creating a safe, inclusive, and accountable workplace. You will be trusted to walk alongside executives, senior managers, and frontline teams - ensuring Aboriginal staff and communities see and feel real change.

Your work will focus on:

• Contributing to the development and review of HR policies and practices to ensure they are culturally informed, sensitive and compliant with relevant legislation
• Supporting managers and employees in managing HR issues, bringing a deep understanding, knowledge and connection of Aboriginal cultures, customs and protocols
• Providing timely expert advice, guidance and consultancy services across the broad range of Human Resource Functions
• Leading and participating in high level and often complex negotiations with staff and employee associations in relation to industrial/employee relations matters, with support from Manager Employee Relations as appropriate.
• Mentoring, coaching and developing senior managers and supervisors in the broad portfolio of Human Resources accountabilities and capabilities.
• Providing Award Interpretation, relevant industrial relations and policy advice to staff and managers, including relevant interactions with representatives from employee associations/unions and represent the Health District at external forums/tribunals as required.
• Working proactively with the team to establish and maintain sound business partnership approaches with line management and business unit managers.
• Working proactively to establish, grow and sustain strong business partnership approaches with senior/ line management and business unit managers, developing a 'whole of business approach'.

This is a leadership role where your influence will extend far beyond HR - you will be central to ensuring our workplaces reflect the communities we serve.

About You

You are a proud Aboriginal person with strong cultural knowledge, lived experience, and deep connections to community. You understand what Closing the Gap means on a practical, local level and you are ready to use your HR skills to make a difference.

You will bring:

• Deep understanding, knowledge and connection of Aboriginal cultures, customs and protocols to effectively engage with employees on sensitive issues
• Appropriate qualifications and/or experience in Human Resources Management or qualifications and/or senior level experience in a complex Human Resources environment deemed equivalent
• Experience in providing expert technical, culturally informed specialised Human Resources advice and consultancy services at a senior level to improve productivity and effectiveness in organisational performance.
• Proven ability to function at a senior level, with limited supervision and support, within a complex Human Resources environment.
• Proven effective report writing skills as well as excellent verbal communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships with proven leadership and management skills.
• Ability to develop, monitor and reach predicted outcomes to Human Resources and organisational strategic and business plans.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor line managers in Human Resources capabilities as well as the ability to train and develop employees in broader Workforce related areas culturally and professionally.
• A current driver's licence and willingness to travel across the District.

Why Join HNELHD?

This is your chance to use your skills to strengthen connection to Country, close the gap in workforce equality, and influence how a large health service values and supports Aboriginal people.

We offer:

• Monthly Allocated Day Off (ADO) for full-time employees
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part-time)
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
• Salary packaging – up to $11,600 + novated leasing options
• Fitness Passport – discounted gym memberships for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and their families
• A culturally safe work environment where Aboriginal leadership and mentorship are valued
• A commitment to Closing the Gap and embedding cultural respect in everything we do

Need more information?

1) Click here for the Position Description

2) Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Dianne Yali on

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit:

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit:

This is a Category B position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category B positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS via or

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

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