Public Health Officer

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Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives. 

About NEPHU

The NEPHU is one of nine public health units in Victoria: three in metropolitan Melbourne and six covering regional Victoria. Together these units form a coordinated network, working in partnership with the Department of Health to deliver a comprehensive public health program for Victoria.  

The NEPHU is hosted and supported by Austin Health with responsibility spanning approximately 1.81m people living in the northeast of metropolitan Melbourne. We work collaboratively to improve the health and wellbeing of the NEPHU population through health promotion, prevention and protection activity. We do this through evidence informed population and place-based responses to current and emerging health needs and emergencies. In this way we contribute to a vision of active connected and safe communities for all - with healthy places, healthy people and a healthier tomorrow.  

The NEPHU is proud of its diverse multidisciplinary team who provide a service across extended hours seven days per week. Participation in a 7-day roster during periods of public health emergency may be required of all staff.  

About the role

The Public Health Officer (PHO) works to effectively and efficiently prevent and respond to notifications and/or outbreaks of notifiable conditions in the North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU) catchment. The PHO will provide outbreak and/or public health management and response which may include, but is not limited to, conducting case interviews; contact follow up; site assessment, support and environmental management; liaison with healthcare professionals and stakeholders; and other public health duties ensuring evidence-based public health recommendations are provided and applied.

The PHO works in alignment with standardised systems, processes and procedures and is supported in their daily duties by the Team Leader – Communicable Diseases, and Medical Officers.

About you

You will be someone who has excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to excellence in public health. You’ll bring energy and drive to you work, and have a keen interest in developing your skillset.

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring with you:

• Tertiary qualifications in public health, environmental health or other health sciences related field 
• Demonstrated experience in public health, including the prevention and control of communicable diseases and notifiable conditions 
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to participate in a 24 hour on-call roster 

Our benefits 

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including: 

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation. 
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program. 
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options. 
• Mentoring and career development opportunities. 

Work with us! 

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures. 

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. Austin Health is a child safe organisation, committed to upholding the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people in line with Child Safe Standards. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Dana Thomson, Team Leader Communicable Diseases at Dana.THOMSON@austin.org.au.

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the  position description for further details.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 20 September 2026