How do I become a work health and safety officer
Get qualified to work as a work health and safety officer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Work Health and Safety Officer.
Common questions
In Australia, a full time Work Health and Safety Officer generally earns $1,832 per week ($95,264 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only.
Courses.com.au Team
There are approximately 16,200 Work Health and Safety Officers employed in Australia right now, and this job has increased slightly over the past 5 years. Work Health and Safety Officers are employed by organisations in all industries and work sectors.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
Courses.com.au Team
Work Health and Safety Officers require the Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety. This course takes 6-12 months to complete. In some Australian states (e.g. Queensland) WHSOs are registered with the state WHS Regulator.
Courses.com.au Team
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11th December 2019All work health and safety officer courses
- 10830NAT Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention
- 10862NAT Certificate IV in Risk Management Essentials
- 10894NAT Course in Workplace Impairment Prevention
- 11084NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness
- 22300VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis
- 22578VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis
- 22579VIC Course in Verifying the Correct Use of Adrenaline Injector Devices
- BSB30719 Certificate III in Work Health and Safety
- BSB41013 Certificate IV in Human Resources
- BSB41015 Certificate IV in Human Resources
- BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
- BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
- BSB50920 & BSB51319 Diploma of Quality Auditing and Diploma of Work Health and Safety
- BSB51315 Diploma of Work Health and Safety
- BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety
- BSB60619 Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety
- BSBWHS411 Implement and Monitor WHS Policies, Procedures and Programs
- BSBWHS414 Contribute to WHS Risk Management
- BSBWHS416 Contribute to Workplace Incident Response
- BSBWHS417 Assist With Managing Whs Implications of Return to Work
- BSBWHS418 Assist with Managing WHS Compliance of Contractors
- BSBWHS515 Lead Initial Response to and Investigate WHS Incidents
- CPCCBC4002 Manage Work Health and Safety in the Building and Construction Workplace
- CPCCPD3031 Work Safely with Lead-Painted Surfaces in the Painting Industry
- CPCCWHS2001 Apply WHS Requirements, Policies and Procedures in the Construction Industry
- DEFWHS010 Identify Confined Space
- HLTAID014 Provide Advanced First Aid
- HLTAID016 Manage First Aid Services and Resources
- HLTSS00065 Infection control Skill Set (Retail)
- HLTSS00067 Infection control Skill Set (Transport and Logistics)
- HLTSS00068 Occupational First Aid Skill Set
- LGA60104 Advanced Diploma of Local Government (Operational Works)
- Master of Health (Workplace Health and Safety)
- MSMPER300 Issue Work Permits
- MSMWHS217 Gas Test Atmospheres
- PMAWHS211 Prepare Equipment for Emergency Response
- PMAWHS311 Lead Emergency Teams
- PSP50122 Diploma of Government (Injury Management)
- PSP50122 Diploma of Government (Workplace Inspection)
- PSP60122 Advanced Diploma of Government (Workplace Inspection)
- PUAFER004 Respond to Facility Emergencies
- PUAFER005 Operate as Part of an Emergency Control Organisation
- PUAFER006 Lead an Emergency Control Organisation
- PUAFER008 Confine Small Workplace Emergencies in a Facility
- PUAFIR203 Respond to Urban Fire
- PUAFIR306 Identify, Detect and Monitor Hazardous Materials at an Incident
- PUAFIR308 Employ Personal Protection at a Hazardous Materials Incident
- PUAFIR324 Render Hazardous Materials Incidents Safe
- RIIERR302E Respond to Local Emergencies and Incidents
- RIIGOV401E Apply, Monitor and Report on Compliance Systems
- RIIRIS301E Apply Risk Management Processes
- RIIWHS301E Conduct Safety and Health Investigations
- RIIWHS401E Supervise Work in Confined Spaces
- SIR30216 Certificate III in Retail (Intro into WHS Skill Set)
- TLIF0007 Manage a Fatigue Risk Management System
- TLIF2018 Operate Firefighting Equipment
- TLIF3091 Apply awareness of dangerous goods and hazardous materials requirements
- UEGNSG040 Use a Portable Detector to Locate a Combustible Gas Escape
- UETDRMP003 Perform Cable Pit/Trench/Excavation Rescue
Work Health and Safety Officer careers
Work Health and Safety Officers (also known as WHSOs) identify workplace hazards and safety issues. They assess the level of risk to the organisation then recommend suitable control measures to eliminate (or minimise) the impact of the hazard. WHSO’s assist the HSE Manager meet the company’s WHS compliance responsibilities.
As a Work Health and Safety Officer you might be attending a Health and Safety Committee meeting, investigating the cause of a dangerous incident, carrying out a workplace inspection and identifying hazards, or developing a safe work procedure in accordance with Australian Safety Standards.
