Environmental Health is not a generalist discipline — and neither is our recruitment.
Osborne Richardson’s Environmental Health & Compliance division is built around deep, practical knowledge of the profession and the realities faced by councils and regulators every day. We work exclusively with Environmental Health Officers, Regulatory Officers and Compliance professionals across local and state government, delivering permanent, contract and project-based solutions Australia-wide.
This is not a desk staffed by recruiters learning the job as they go. It is led by practitioners who understand the legislation, the pressures, and the consequences of getting it wrong.
Led by Environmental Health experts
Owen Millar – Head of Environmental Health & Compliance
Owen Millar
Our Environmental Health division is headed by Owen Millar, a fully qualified Environmental Health Officer with a Master’s degree in Environmental Health and 15 years’ hands-on experience working in local government before moving into specialist recruitment.
Since joining Osborne Richardson in 2016, Owen has spent almost a decade recruiting exclusively within Environmental Health and regulatory roles. He speaks the same language as your team, understands the practical application of the Food Act, Public Health Act and local laws, and can assess candidates beyond what appears on a CV.
This ensures shortlists that are technically sound, culturally aligned, and ready to operate from day one.
Nick Shaw – Managing Director
Nick Shaw
Osborne Richardson is led by Managing Director Nick Shaw, who has over 25 years’ experience recruiting Environmental Health Officers in both the UK and Australia.
Nick has supported councils through resourcing shortages, regulatory reform, emergency response periods and long-term workforce planning. His international and local perspective has shaped a recruitment model focused on quality, continuity and long-term partnerships — not transactional placements.
Together, Owen and Nick provide a level of Environmental Health recruitment expertise that is unmatched in the Australian market.
What we recruit
We support councils and regulators with recruitment across the full Environmental Health and Compliance spectrum, including:
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Environmental Health Officers (Graduate to Senior)
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Regulatory & Compliance Officers
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Food Safety & Health Compliance Specialists
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Local Laws Officers
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Team Leaders and Coordinators
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Project-based inspection and compliance resources
Whether you need one critical hire or a scalable workforce solution, we tailor our approach to your operational needs.
Permanent, contract & project-based solutions
In addition to traditional permanent and contract recruitment, Osborne Richardson delivers per-inspection and project-based Environmental Health services.
For councils experiencing inspection backlogs, resourcing gaps or seasonal pressure, we provide access to qualified EHOs who are not available through standard contract markets. Inspections are priced on a pre-agreed per-inspection basis, giving you cost certainty, flexibility and full operational control.
Our dedicated OR Projects platform provides transparency, progress tracking and real-time visibility across all inspections — without taking ownership away from your internal team.
Why councils choose Osborne Richardson
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True Environmental Health specialists — not generalist recruiters
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Practitioner-led assessment of candidates
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National candidate networks, including hard-to-reach EHOs
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Local government focused processes and compliance
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Flexible delivery models: permanent, contract and project-based
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Long-term partnerships, not short-term transactions
We understand the accountability that comes with Environmental Health work — and we recruit accordingly.
A trusted partner to government
Osborne Richardson has supplied Environmental Health professionals to councils and government agencies across Australia for over two decades. Our clients rely on us because we understand their statutory obligations, political environments and community expectations.
If you are looking for an Environmental Health recruitment partner who genuinely understands the profession, you’re in the right place.