Safety sensitive jobs
Most people with diabetes have long and successful working lives across lots of interesting jobs.
However some jobs are considered ‘safety sensitive’. This means, if you have a hypo you may put people, property or the environment at risk.
Safety sensitive jobs
Careers and jobs open to those with diabetes is always changing. Talk with Diabetes Victoria to check the entry needs for careers and jobs of interest to you.
The following jobs have certain limits for people with diabetes:
- Australian Armed Forces
If you take insulin you cannot serve in the Armed Forces. All member of the Armed Forces must meet certain criteria. This is one employer who does not have to include people who do not meet their criteria.
- Police Force, Fire and Ambulance Services
If you want to apply for a job in any of these industries, you need to check out what the requirements are in your state or territory. The processes and conditions are different across Australia.
- Transport of passengers
This includes aeroplanes, buses, trains and trams.
- Transporting hazardous (dangerous) materials or large cargos
This includes explosives and petrol.
- Working at heights
This includes construction sites and ladders.
- Jobs involving the use of potentially dangerous machinery
This includes large pieces of machinery or equipment used in construction, manufacturing or engineering industries, heavy vehicles or heavy hydraulics.
- Working offshore
This includes jobs on an oil rig.
- Prison Service and Community Correction
Prison Officer, Community Corrections Officer and Field Offer
- Taxi and Uber Drivers
If you live in Victoria and take insulin, your medical case will be assessed. You will need to provide medical reports from your endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) supporting your application.
- Flight Cabin Crew
If you take insulin, your medical case will be assessed by the airline doctor. You will need to provide medical reports from your endocrinologist supporting your application. Jobs are limited to flights that have multi-crews with commercial airlines.
What you may like to do
If you are interested in applying for any job and you are not sure, just ask. There should be staff in recruitment, human resources or medical advisory roles who can help you. In organisations where safety is a factor, there should be clear policies and procedures.
Keep in mind that restrictions may apply depending on the type of diabetes you have and how you manage it. For example, specific restrictions may apply if you take insulin, but not if you take oral medications.
Further information
Find out more about diabetes in the workplace, including booklets for people with diabetes, their employers and co-workers.
Contact our Advocacy Team:
Call our Helpline on 1300 437 386 (Monday- Friday 8.30am-4.30pm) or send an Email.
Visit the WorkSafe Victoria website