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Supervisor - Maritime Safety & Compliance Section - Various Roles

Job Req ID

ABF - 140823

 

Location

WA; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; VIC 

 

Employment Type

Ongoing (Permanent), Full-time 

 

Classification

APS Level 6 - $94,563.00 and $107,713.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

 

Contact Officer

Kaylene Douglas on 0481 165 659 or kaylene.douglas@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 3 immediate positions. 

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 & Compliance Section

 

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 Australian Border Force (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 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

 

We have multiple Supervisor roles available in the Maritime Safety and Compliance Section. These roles are responsible for supporting the Inspector Maritime Safety and Compliance and play a key part in keeping the ABF fleet operational. They drive compliance and ensure ABF meets its regulatory and legal requirements. 

 

We are seeking candidates with excellent communication and consultation skills to support collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders. To thrive in one of the roles, you will exhibit the following:

 

Supervisor ISM Coordinator - location: Canberra, ACT

 

The Supervisor ISM Coordinator will ensure the ABF’s ongoing 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 and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Orders. The Supervisor ISM Coordinator will ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the ABF Safety Management System (SMS) across the fleet, through the coordination of the internal and external audit program, as well as reporting and resolution of non-conformances to enhance vessel safety. 

 

Supervisor Maritime Safety and Regulatory Specialist - location: Canberra, ACT

 

The Supervisor Maritime Safety and Regulatory Specialist will support the effective implementation and maintenance of the Safety Management System (SMS) on ABF vessels, in accordance with relevant regulations and industry best practices. This role will undertake a range of safety related projects and support the Safety Management System more broadly, by addressing identified areas for improvement. 

 

Supervisor Littoral Safety and Compliance (SMS) – location: NSW, ACT, WA, NT, VIC, QLD, SA

 

The Supervisor Littoral Safety and Compliance (SMS) support the continued update, implementation and management of the littoral suite of SMS documentation. Additional responsibilities include supporting the integration and implementation of higher tier documentation, implementation, review and management of action plans and operational plans, performance reporting and occasional oversight of sea-going crew performing shore duty.

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

The key duties of the position

 

In each position you will:

 

  • Contribute to the delivery of new or improved procedures and processes that enhance the delivery of operational outcomes
  • Implement quality management standards and procedures for the team
  • Provide and contribute relevant input to the development of business plans, forward work plans and risk treatment strategies
  • Monitor, review and continually provide input to improve risk management of the work area’s support to operations
  • Initiate, build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across internal and external networks
  • Communicate effectively with staff and stakeholders on a range of relevant issues
  • Maintain current best-practice knowledge, including new thinking and approaches, and regularly communicate this to teams. Contribute to high-level written material, submissions or briefs, such as Senate Estimate briefs and Questions on Notice, departmental briefs and correspondence, corporate documentation, reports and media releases or talking points, in relation to sensitive and controversial matters.
     

Custom Tasks

 

Supervisor ISM Coordinator

 

  • Liaise with key external stakeholders including Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA), Class Societies, Recognised Organisations and auditors to ensure the ABF’s ongoing compliance with regulatory and safety frameworks and industry standards
  • Provide subject matter expertise, guidance and support to colleagues, marine crew, departmental stakeholders and executive on ISM and SMS implementation and compliance as required, to support incident reviews, investigations and audits
  • Support fleet audit, assurance and compliance activities including:
    • Master’s Reviews, internal and external audits
    • Identify non-conformances and facilitate corrective actions
    • Drive audit outcomes and areas for improvement
    • Manage the non-conformance registers and make recommendations to ensure actions are specific, measurable and achievable
    • Assist in the preparation of detailed audit reports, documenting findings, recommendations, and corrective actions
    • Coordinate and report on internal and external audit outcomes
  • Support the drafting and review of Vessel Management Plans (VMP) as required
  • Any other tasks or duties as determined by Inspector Maritime Safety and Compliance.

 

Supervisor Maritime Safety and Regulatory Specialist

 

  • Provide subject matter expertise, guidance and support to colleagues, marine crew, departmental stakeholders and executive on:
    • Risk management
    • Risk assessments and specific activities relevant to vessel safety
    • ISM, SMS implementation and compliance as required, to support incident reviews, investigations and audits
  •  Review vessel safety activities, documentation, procedures, and records to ensure compliance with:
    • Relevant regulations and industry standards
    • Research and prepare detailed reports, on documenting findings, recommendations, and corrective actions to ensure continuous improvement of the SMS
    • Promote a strong safety culture on vessels through effective communication and training
  • Draft or update SMS Work Instructions (WI) and policy documents as needed to incorporate investigation outcomes, lessons learnt or WHS reporting
  • Support WHS and Comcare matters that require specialist advice and resolution
  • Any other tasks or duties as determined by Inspector Maritime Safety and Compliance.

 

Supervisor Littoral Safety and Compliance (SMS)

 

  • Any other tasks or duties as determined by Inspector Littoral Safety and Compliance.

 

Additional information

 

Mandatory

 

The Supervisor, Maritime Safety and Compliance Section must:

 

  • Possess detailed knowledge of, and the ability to interpret and apply, relevant Australian legislation and standards, particularly with reference to the Commonwealth’s rights and obligations under the Navigation Act 2012, Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012, Work Health and Safety Act (Cth) 2011 and other relevant statutory documents.


Supervisor ISM Coordinator


In addition to the above requirements, you will:

 

  • Have extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of maritime safety management including ISM Code implementation, SMS best practice, implementation of marine safety regulations and compliance with industry standards
  • Have well developed project management skills
  • Have experience in a maritime or operational environment.

 

Supervisor Maritime Safety and Regulatory Specialist 

 

In addition to the above requirements, you will:

 

  • Have extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of maritime safety management including ISM Code implementation, SMS best practice, implementation of marine safety regulations and compliance with industry standards
  • Have experience in a maritime or operational environment. Supervisor Littoral Safety and Compliance (SMS).

 

In addition to the above requirements, you will:

 

  • Demonstrate leadership skills and have experience managing a team
  • Be available for regular interstate travel as it is essential to performing the role.

 

Preferred

 

Supervisor ISM Coordinator & Supervisor Maritime Safety and Regulatory Specialist

 

Experience or formal qualifications in any of the following will be highly regarded:

 

  • Project management
  • Quality assurance systems and auditing frameworks
  • Strong understanding of ABF and Defence safety management frameworks.

 

 

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 – 140823 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:

 

 

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

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