How to become a Work Health and Safety Adviser

Also called: Work Health and Safety Officer

Develops, implements and evaluates risk management policies and programs, trains employees in work health and safety procedures, monitors and audits the workplace, and records and investigates incidents to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.

Main tasks

• Trains employees and guides work health and safety procedures
• Records and investigates workplace incidents and accidents to identify causes and prevent future occurrences
• Conducts risk assessments to identify hazards and monitors workplace for safety compliance
• Reviews and updates health and safety policies, procedures and programs to ensure compliance with legislation and industry standards
• Provides advice on workplace health and safety issues
• May monitor equipment and measure levels of exposure to hazardous substances and other environmental factors to workers

Ways in

• University: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety (BSB60619); Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (BSB41419); Diploma of Work Health and Safety (BSB51319); Advanced Diploma of Government (PSP60122); Certificate III in Aviation (Aerodrome Operations) (AVI30119); Certificate III in Work Health and Safety (BSB30719); Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management (FNS42120); Diploma of Access Consulting (CPP50721)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $118,768 a year
• About 40,000 people work in this job group now, and about 47,900 are projected by 2035. (+19.8%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Rehabilitation Consultant
• Human Resources Adviser
• Workplace Relations Adviser
• Recruitment Consultant
• Training and Development Professional

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Work Health and Safety Adviser?

Ways in include: Health & Public Health degrees; Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety; Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.

How much does a Work Health and Safety Adviser earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $118,768 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Work Health and Safety Adviser a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 20% by 2035, from about 40,000 to about 47,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Work Health and Safety Adviser?

Not always. 43% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Health & Public Health degrees; Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety; Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.

Will AI change the work of a Work Health and Safety Adviser?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04