Getting Started
Its great you’re thinking of applying for a role with us. Visit our current vacancies to see our advertised opportunities.
Here are some important details about the application process, some advice on submitting your application and information on what it's like to work with us.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a job with us, you must:
- be an Australian citizen
- already hold, or be willing to obtain and maintain, the relevant Australian Government Security clearance required for the job (this is specified in the position description).
We will support you through this process.
Why work with us?
Working at the ATSB gives you the opportunity, whether as a transport safety investigator or in a corporate supporting role to contribute to the prevention of loss of life and property for passengers and crews of aircraft, trains and ships operating in Australia.
Our vision
Our vision is transport without accidents with a mission to improve transport safety for the greatest public benefit through our independent investigations and influencing safety action.
Developed and led by staff our Strategic Plan provides a clear roadmap for how we investigate, influence and conduct research for a future without transport accidents.
Who are we looking for?
To fulfil our vision we are looking for people who are passionate about finding the truth, open to new ideas, enjoy being challenged and committed to making a difference
We offer
- An inclusive workplace.
- Opportunities to grow and expand your skills, experience, and education.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- A workplace that strives to treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Benefits that work for you
- 15.4 per cent superannuation employer contribution
- Salary packaging options
- Flexible working arrangements
- A range of family-friendly policies
- Professional development
More information is in our Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027
Our commitment to you
Our people are our greatest strength. We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our staff, working together to build a safe, strong, and thriving workforce by:
- taking a zero-tolerance approach to harassment, discrimination, and workplace bullying
- implementing our Health and Wellbeing Strategy
- providing our people and their families access to free, comprehensive, and confidential health and wellbeing support.
Inclusive culture
Diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing
We recognise we are stronger when we draw on the broad range of perspectives, experiences and specialised skills of our people and support and encourage the unique way that each person contributes to the work of the ATSB.
Reconciliation at the ATSB
The ATSB commenced its Reconciliation journey in 2024 with the development of its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Our RAP provides clear guidance on how we can create a workplace that supports and develops innovative strategies to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with their unique experiences and perspectives, can contribute to the success of the ATSB based on truth telling and a shared understanding of our nation’s history.
Inclusive recruitment processes
We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, mature aged employees and those with caring responsibilities.
We can help support you in applying for a position with us. Contact us on ATSB-HR@atsb.gov.au to learn more.
How to apply
Prepare your application
Once you find a role you're interested in, you need to prepare an application that demonstrates why you're the best candidate. Here are some tips to help you stand out.
- Make sure it’s the right job for you.
- Read the Application Information Kit carefully so you're clear about the role.
- Review the application form so you know what you need to include.
- Make sure you're eligible to apply for the job. Remember you must be an Australian citizen for all roles with us unless otherwise stated.
- Tell us why you’re the best candidate for the role.
- This is the most important part of your application. Your answers will be used to shortlist applicants for interview/further assessment.
- You'll be asked to include a statement addressing:
- how your skills, knowledge and experiences make you the right person for the job
- key examples demonstrating your suitability.
- How to make your answers shine
- Clearly demonstrate how you satisfy the skills/capabilities to the level required.
- Use examples of achievements which can be verified by a referee.
- Only include relevant information outlining your achievements.
- Be concise.
- Tailor your answers to the role description.
- Update your resume.
- Ensure your resume has relevant information, is up to date and no longer than two pages.
- Provide referees.
- You'll be asked to nominate two referees and their contact numbers in your application. Ideally one will be your current supervisor.
- Prepare a draft in a Word document.
- Before you submit your application it's a good idea to check the word count and spelling.
- Don’t miss the deadline.
- It's your responsibility to ensure your application is completed by the closing date and time specified in the job advertisement.
Want more? The Australian Public Service Commission provides advice on preparing your statement.
Cracking the code | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)
Submit your application
Please send your application along with the ATSB Application Coversheet and a copy of your current resume to recruitment@atsb.gov.au
If you require any assistance in terms of submitting your application, please contact our Recruitment Officer at recruitment@atsb.gov.au
More resources
For more information on working in the Australian Public Service (APS) and how to apply, check out these resources:
Joining the APS | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)
Australian Public Service code of conduct
- Everyone who works with us is expected to uphold the Australian Public Service (APS) values and code of conduct.
- Key behaviours include:
- behaving honestly and with integrity
- acting with care and diligence
- treating everyone with respect and courtesy.
- Learn more about the code here.
What is a transport safety investigator?
As a transport safety investigator, you will investigate aviation, rail and marine accidents to determine their cause and engage with industry to drive safety improvements to prevent a similar accident reoccurring.
Your day could include:
- being deployed to accidents anywhere in Australia
- collecting, analysing, and interpreting evidence onsite or at the ATSB technical facilities
- conducting interviews with accident witnesses and participants
- authoring comprehensive technical reports
- engaging with industry.
Transport safety investigators work independently and as part of a small team. In addition, they must:
- take responsibility for, and manage, their own work
- meet agreed goals for production, quality, and timeliness of work.
What makes a good transport safety investigator?
A good transport safety investigator is curious, passionate about safety, and can apply technical and industry knowledge impartially and without bias.
To be a transport safety investigator, you'll need:
- a recognised tertiary degree (equivalent) or higher (overseas degrees must conform to Australian standards and be formally recognised) with relevant industry experience.
Qualities and Skills
We are looking for the following qualities and skills:
- ability to apply technical and industry knowledge impartially and without bias
- highly developed research, analytical and conceptual thinking
- ability to learn and apply legal concepts
- ability to understand and articulate complex ideas verbally and in writing
- a desire for continuous learning and ability to learn through feedback
- sound decision-making.
Qualifications and experience
We're interested in recruiting people with qualifications and experience in these fields:
- Organisational Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Fatigue management
- Engineering (civil, rail, electrical, mechanical, aviation maintenance and marine)
- Metallurgy
- Nautical Science
- Commercial pilot licence
- Air Traffic Control
- Ship’s master
- Chief mate
- Ship’s surveyor or superintendent
- Ship’s pilot
You don’t need to have investigation skills or experience to apply, we’ll teach you our investigation process and analysis methodology.
Your transport safety investigator career
In most cases transport safety investigators are initially employed at the Australian Public Service 6 Level.
Transport safety investigator roles are broad banded, meaning that a transport safety investigator can progress to a senior transport safety investigator classification as their investigative skills develop. The ATSB provides a comprehensive framework and development pathway to support investigators to progress through the broad band.
Considerations before you apply
You will be part of an on-call after hours roster
Transport safety investigators can expect to be placed on a deployment roster up to but not exceeding 18 weeks of the year. When ‘rostered on’ transport safety investigators are required to be contactable by a work supplied mobile and in their usual home location. An allowance is paid as compensation for this restriction.
Within these rostering constraints the ATSB maintains a commitment to ensuring flexible work arrangements are available and used by staff.
A challenge of the job
As a transport safety investigator, it is likely you will be exposed to potentially traumatic events and materials. You will also be involved in interviewing witnesses, friends and family of a deceased person following a fatal accident. You will receive training to help you conduct these, at times, difficult tasks.
The ATSB has also developed a Critical Incident Stress Management Toolbox to support you as well as providing access to 24-hour, free and confidential mental health support.
Information on other available support for you and your family is available on the ATSB’s family support page.
Transport safety investigator training
We'll provide you with detailed training to help you apply the legal requirements and investigation and analysis concepts applicable to your role.
You will be enrolled in the RMIT University’s Graduate Certificate in transport safety investigation. The course is delivered as an intensive study program involving:
- 4 week-long block of 30 hours class time at RMIT campuses in Melbourne
- self-learning activities and pre-reading material
- 2–3 weeks of study and assessment following an in-class study period.
For more information visit the RMIT website.
In-house and on-the-job training is also provided to help you succeed. You will also be assigned a ‘buddy’ to help you navigate the beginning of your career at the ATSB.
Transport safety investigator recruitment process
The transport safety investigator recruitment process can take between 10 to 20 weeks to complete. During this period, if you have any questions you can get in touch with the role’s contact officer with any questions.
Applications received by the closing date are assessed by the role’s selection committee to create a shortlist of applicants to proceed to the next stage of recruitment.
Those shortlisted, will be asked to complete online assessments, including a psychometric evaluation to measure your reasoning ability with verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning sub-tests.
From this, candidates will be selected to complete various work sample tests. Applicants who reach the final stage will progress to an interview.
Frequently asked questions
- When do you advertise?
- The ATSB recruits on an operational needs basis. Roles are advertised on APSjobs, and the ATSB website and social media channels.
- Can I apply if I am not an Australian citizen?
- Unless otherwise mentioned in the application kit, you need to be an Australian citizen to be considered.
- Do you have age limits for applicants?
- Anyone 18 and over can apply.
- Do you have any fitness requirements?
- As a transport safety investigator, you will need to attend an Australian Public Service medical examination to ensure you are able to be safely deployed to an accident site.
- Those appointed to a non-investigative role and are new to the Australian Public Service will need to undergo an Australian Public Service medical examination. We will organise this for you.
- Transport safety investigators also need to undergo standardised medication examinations at:
- 4-yearly intervals until reaching 39 years of age (inclusive)
- 2-yearly intervals from 40 years of age until reaching 59 years of age (inclusive)
- annually from 60 years of age (inclusive) to retirement.
- Starting salary?
- In most cases transport safety investigators are initially employed at the Australian Public Service 6 Level. Salaries are listed in our Enterprise Agreement.
- What allowances are available?
- As a transport safety investigator, following successful completion of probation and associated training you will be eligible for the on-call roster allowance.
- What about career advancement?
- Transport safety investigator roles are broad banded, meaning that a transport safety investigator can progress to a Senior Transport safety investigator classification as their investigative skills develop. The ATSB provides a comprehensive framework and development pathway to support transport safety investigators to progress through the broad band.
- Do you have a graduate program?
- Recruited on an operational needs basis, ATSB Entry Level Technical Officers undertake a specific development program designed to provide them with the necessary skills and experience to be successful at the ATSB.
- Where will I be working?
- We have offices in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.
- The ATSB supports flexible work arrangements including working from home. More information is available in our Enterprise Agreement.
Contractor and supplier safety
Information for contractors and suppliers
As a contractor and supplier to the ATSB you have the right to a safe working environment while working with us.
Workplace health and safety
Our workplace health and safety framework is designed to protect the physical and mental health of everyone who works with us.
Under our system:
- everyone has the right to a workplace that's physically and psychologically safe.
- we're partners in creating safe, healthy, rewarding, and productive work.
- we're responsible for working towards eliminating work-related injury and illness.
- everyone has a responsibility to act in a safe manner and to report workplace health and safety hazards and accidents when they occur.
Our responsibilities
When working with you, we'll:
- provide you with a workplace in which physical and psychological risks are removed or managed and mitigated.
- provide safe furniture, equipment, and work systems along with training for correct use.
- consult with you on matters that may affect your health and safety.
- respond to workplace health and safety hazards, investigate incidents, and implement further risk mitigation as needed.
- comply with your recommendations for the safe use, storage, and disposal of products that you supply.
When working with us, we ask that you:
- comply with your obligations under Australian Workplace Health and Safety legislation.
- comply with the workplace health and safety requirements specific to your contract, including qualifications, licences, and registration.
- comply with our procedures to protect your health and safety.
- report all workplace health and safety hazards and incidents affecting health and safety.
- install or construct structures that comply with safety standards.
- supply products that are designed and manufactured to minimise risk of injury and provide sufficient information on their safe use, storage, and disposal.
Contractors performing a non-ongoing role at the ATSB will be provided with induction training covering your work health and safety and security responsibilities.
Contractors performing a trade onsite will be advised of the building owner’s induction and workplace health and safety compliance requirements.
You can watch the contractor induction training below:
If you have any questions about the workplace health and safety requirements in your contract, speak to your contract manager.