Littoral Safety and Compliance - Maritime Safety and Compliance

Job Req ID

ABF - 140833

Location

NSW; NT; QLD; SA; VIC; WA 

 Employment Type

Ongoing (Permanent), Full-time 

Classification

Executive Level 1 - $115,443.00 and $134,865.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Contact Officer

Marcus Gregory on 0477 315 441 or marcus.gregory@abf.gov.au  

Office Arrangements

Hybrid - Flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational requirements of the role.
 

Applications close on 14/01/2026 at 11:59pm AEDT (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

About our opportunity

This process is being used to fill 1 immediate position/s. 

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months anywhere in NSW; ACT; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA.
 

About our team

Strategy & Capability | Civil Maritime Capability | Civil Maritime Sustainment | Maritime Safety and Compliance

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is an operationally independent body under the Home Affairs Portfolio. The ABF is responsible for operational activity that supports the Australian Government's border protection, investigations, compliance, detention and enforcement functions. 

Civil Maritime Sustainment Branch (CMSB) provides air and marine surveillance capability in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes operating a fleet of vessels crewed by ABF officers performing strategic patrols, tactical surveillance and on-water law enforcement activities and managing contracted surveillance aircraft and satellite, sensor systems and logistics support. CMSB operates in a complex, challenging and rapidly evolving environment characterised by a continual high tempo of operations.

The ABF littoral fleet includes all ABF vessels less than 24 metres in length, (not including ship's boats embarked on the Cape Class).  The littoral fleet area of operations extends out to 24 nautical miles and missions cover all coastal environments including rivers, bays, inlets, and the territorial sea. There are presently 32 vessels in the Littoral Fleet.

The Maritime Safety and Compliance Section provides oversight of maritime safety, standards, compliance and support arrangements to ensure the safe operation of the ABF fleet and the safety of our sea-going workforce. It is responsible for ensuring the ABF operates in compliance with Australian and international regulatory and safety frameworks including: the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, the Navigation Act 2012, the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Orders, and the Work Health and Safety Act (Cth) 2011.

To deliver this mission the section manages a safety, compliance and audit framework under the ABF Maritime Safety Management System (SMS), and undertakes incident reviews and investigations, manages sea-going endorsements and sea service qualifications.

Please visit our website for more information about the Department of Home Affairs or Australian Border Force.

Our ideal candidate

To thrive in the role, you will exhibit the following:

• Understand that the ABF littoral fleet operates in compliance with Australian and International regulatory and safety frameworks
• Ability to lead a small team that oversees the safety framework for the ABF's littoral vessels and conducts regulatory audit and compliance checks in accordance with maritime legislation and regulations
• Ability to drive littoral safety related activity and maintain strong effective relationships with key stakeholders
• Ability to develop and deliver operational compliance and capability
• Strong collaboration skills to work with stakeholders across the broader division by promoting maritime and environmental safety across the littoral fleet
• Work closely with the Inspector Maritime Safety and Compliance and Inspector Maritime Operational Compliance, to support the broader ABF Safety Management System
• Manage two Supervisors to deliver support to operations.

Duties and responsibilities

As Inspector Littoral Safety and Compliance, you will be responsible for the following functions:

• Work independently, under broad direction, to resolve issues and deliver quality outcomes
• Provide expert advice in relation to the safe operation and management of the littoral fleet of vessels
• Monitor the safety and pollution prevention aspects of vessels in the littoral fleet
• Oversee the continued improvement, update and implementation of the littoral suite of SMS documentation, under the guidance of the Superintendent Maritime Safety and Compliance
• Lead littoral fleet audit, assurance and compliance activities, including Master's Reviews, facilitates corrective actions and drives audit outcomes
• Support the Maritime Safety and Compliance approach to critical incidents and review of other maritime events
• Contribute to risk assessment and risk management activities for the littoral fleet in consultation with key stakeholders
• Engage and collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate cooperation
• Contribute to the development of business plans, forward work plans, action plans, registers and risk strategies
• Contribute to high-level written material, submissions and briefs, such as Senate Estimate briefs and Questions on Notice, departmental briefs and correspondence, corporate documentation, reports, media releases and talking points for senior staff and the Senior Executive
• Communicate effectively and make sound decisions based on professional judgement and experience
• Lead a small team to deliver high quality outputs within specified timeframes
• Managing competing priorities, effort, timelines and resources to achieve assigned tasks and outcomes
• Provide high level specialist technical or professional advice on specific littoral fleet issues to guide littoral fleet activities
• Lead records management functions to ensure records are accurate, complete and managed in accordance with departmental policy.

Additional information

Mandatory:

• At a minimum, Master<45m Certificate of Competency or other qualifications and experience considered to be equivalent, as issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
• A demonstrated and thorough working knowledge of the Navigation Act 2012, the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Orders, and the Work Health and Safety Act (Cth) 2011
• A demonstrated understanding of the ISM Code, and experience implementing Maritime Safety Management Systems
• Knowledge and experience in best practice methodology, quality assurance systems and an operational knowledge of ISM auditing frameworks
• High level communication, negotiation and liaison skills including time management and brief writing skills
• Demonstrated experience leading a team in a high tempo environment where there are multiple competing priorities
• Availability for interstate travel is essential to performing the role.

Preferred:

• Master <500GT Certificate of Competency
• Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 (MED 2) or higher
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) qualifications
• Designated Person Ashore training.

How to apply

Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 14/01/2026 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEDT  – Late applications will not be accepted.

As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• How your skills, knowledge, and experience will be relevant to this role
• Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us
• Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role

Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 140833 in the document footer.

Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership Systems information relevant to the classification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (AGSVA) security clearance, and:
 

• ABF Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).
• Home Affairs Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Onboarding Check.
   

In certain circumstances, an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) may be required in addition to, or in lieu of, an Onboarding Check, which will be determined by the delegate as necessary.  

Diversity and inclusion

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Technical assistance

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

• Email: recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 793 883 (within Australia) or +61 2 6196 0444 (outside of Australia)

Please include any applicable screen captures, a response will be provided during business hours.

Notes

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position. The Australian Public Service (APS) Employee Value Proposition (EVP) highlights the top reasons our employees enjoy working in the APS.

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

Information about employment and advice on how to apply for vacancies can be obtained from the Department’s website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers