Principal Safety & Compliance Officer

Our Principal Safety and Compliance Officers are frontline leaders who set the standard for operational excellence across NHVR’s on‑road enforcement network. You will guide and support Safety and Compliance Officers and Senior Officers, ensuring our people remain at the centre of safe, consistent, and effective regulatory operations.

Leadership Focus

• Lead operational teams with clarity and confidence, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Empower officers by encouraging innovation, supporting capability development, and promoting safe, consistent decision‑making in the field.
• Coordinate on‑road operational activity, ensuring teams are motivated, well‑supported, and delivering high‑quality safety and compliance outcomes across the network.

Collaboration & Influence

• Build strong relationships across your teams, the broader Operations division, and the heavy vehicle industry.
• Act as a trusted operational leader who brings people together to achieve shared safety and compliance goals.
• Champion clear communication and constructive conflict resolution to maintain a positive, high‑performing workplace.

The Role

This is a full‑time, permanent position based in Toowoomba, Goondiwindi, or Richlands. You’ll occasionally work outside standard hours and travel intrastate to maintain strong connections with officers across the region and support a geographically dispersed operational workforce.

About You

We are looking for someone with the following:

• Demonstrated leadership of large, diverse teams, fostering a culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Highly skilled in people leadership, including coaching, mentoring, performance development, and managing sensitive matters such as WHS incidents, disciplinary processes, and conflict resolution.
• Experienced in overseeing resources, budgets, and operational environments while maintaining a strong focus on team engagement, wellbeing, and operational effectiveness.
• Exceptional communicator and relationship‑builder with the ability to influence, build trust, and partner effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven capability to motivate teams, drive innovation, and lead people through change with clarity, resilience, and confidence.
• Commitment to safety and an understanding of safety‑focused operational environments
• Industry or regulatory experience in the heavy vehicle sector or similar regulatory settings (highly regarded)

To learn more, the position description can be found on the NHVR Careers site - https://careers.nhvr.gov.au/jobs/search 

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 from $166,048.22 + superannuation
• Up to 15.25% superannuation through a co-contribution scheme
• Leave loading 17.5%
• Options for monthly or fortnightly rostered day off
• Additional paid leave over Christmas closure
• 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: 5pm 14 July 2026 (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 Talent Acquisition Team on recruitment@nhvr.gov.au.

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 value d. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experience and abilities.