Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association upcoming events

IRSQ - Lunch Webinar - Wage Compliance and the Consequences of Contraventions (17 Jun 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Join us for a lunchtime webinar with barrister Troy Spence, with Q&A time, as he speaks to wage compliance and the consequences of contraventions.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Barrister – Troy Spence

Troy Spence has a diverse practice, with a focus on employment & industrial relations, work health & safety, discrimination and worker’ compensation.

In 2026 Troy was ranked as Preeminent junior counsel in Doyles Guide Leading Employment Law Barristers – Queensland, 2026 and also Preeminent junior counsel in Doyles Guide Leading Workplace Health & Safety Law Barristers – Queensland, 2026

Prior to being called to the bar in 2018, Troy worked for two almost two decades representing employees in both the public and private sectors.

Troy regularly appears in the QIRC, FWC, the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Div. 2) and the Federal Court of Australia. Troy has also appeared before the Queensland Court of Appeal, the Full Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.

In our webinar, Troy will discuss:

how employers can ensure they are wage compliant; and
what considerations the courts give when ordering penalties against employers who are found to have contravened industrial instruments.

Following Troy’s discussion, there will be a Q&A session.

When: Friday 19 June 2026

Where: Online Webinar (Link to join will be shared 24hrs prior to webinar)

⏰ Time: 12pm – 1pm AEST

Cost: Complimentary for all IRS members nationally

Cost: Non-members $40.00

Secure your spot today!

ALERA 2026 Discrimination Webinar Series - “Sex Discrimination in 2026: From Complaint to Commission” (24 Jun 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:00:00 GMT

ALERA, together with our State and Territory societies, is pleased to present the second of four National professional development masterclasses on Discrimination.

“Sex Discrimination in 2026: From Complaint to Commission”

Commissioner Sarah McKinnon will discuss the Fair Work Commission’s sexual harassment jurisdiction including pathways to access, trauma-informed processes, potential outcomes and common issues that arise in dealing with claims. She will also touch on other areas of the Commission’s jurisdiction where sexual harassment can arise.

Sarah McCarthy, State Chambers will explore practical approaches to managing workplace discrimination complaints across the grounds of sex, age, race and disability. Sarah will outline the complaint pathways available to employees, including the Australian Human Rights Commission and State and Territory anti-discrimination boards. Sarah will explain what employers can expect when responding to and defending a claim. Sarah will then trace the full arc of a discrimination matter, from the initial complaint process through to litigation.

The webinar will be moderated by Nicholas Wilson, workplace relations consultant and former FWC Commissioner.

This webinar will feature a live Q&A, giving members the chance to engage directly with leading experts in industrial relations.

When: Wednesday 24 June 2026

Where: Zoom Online Webinar

⏰ Time: 4 – 5pm AEST

Cost: Complimentary for all IRS members nationally

Cost: Non-members $40.00

Secure your spot today!

IRSV - An evening with Ewin Hannan (24 Jun 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:30:00 GMT

The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria invites members and guests to An Evening with Ewin Hannan, Workplace Editor at The Australian.

Hosted by Leigh Howard, the evening promises to be valuable and insightful, traversing Ewin’s almost 40 years covering Australia’s biggest workplace stories.

Ewin and Leigh will speak about the landmark disputes Ewin has covered in his career as well as the emerging trends and key issues shaping today’s industrial landscape.

Drawing on his decades of experience, Ewin will provide a unique and informed perspective on the forces influencing the employment relationship and the political and legal frameworks that underpin it.

Learn more and register

ALERA SA - FWC Advocacy Course (3 Jul 2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:30:00 GMT

ALERA SA FWC Advocacy Course

Advocacy Course
When : Friday 3rd July 2026
Registrations : from 9:00am, Course 9.30am to 4.30pm

On behalf of ALERA SA, the Adelaide-based Members of the Fair Work Commission are to conduct a full-day basic course in advocacy.

The course will be relevant to anyone seeking to appear before the FWC and is a fantastic opportunity for both developing advocates and those seeking a refresher.

Registration numbers for the full course are strictly limited due to the need for mentors, Commission Members and courtrooms.
Early registration is encouraged to avoid disappointment.

The course will include:

An overview of the FWC and its major jurisdictions
The theory of advocacy
The strategy and practice of advocacy in the FWC including the stages of proceedings
Evidence – approach (rules of evidence and practice as applied by the FWC), witnesses, documents and the process of proving and tendering
Case preparation and presentation of simulated cases (Moots) - with the support of the FWC Members and experienced practitioners
Observations and tips from the Bench

The course will be conducted entirely in-person at the FWC Adelaide premises on North Terrace.

Registration will be at 9:00am, with the course commencing at 9:30am and the course will conclude at 4.30pm.

Registration Costs

ALERA Members - $300.00
ALERA Student Members - $186.00
Non Members - $405.00

Registration numbers for the full course are strictly limited, register early.

Closing date for registrations: 19th June 2026

Learn more and register

IRS Newcastle Branch Annual General Meeting (31 Jul 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

IRSQ - Advocacy in the Commission (15 Aug 2026)

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

The IRSQ Advocacy in the Commission Course returns in August 2026!

Having first been developed in the late 1990s, and run regularly since then, this course is a longstanding and popular IRSQ offering. It is a course we are proud to deliver to our members and other industrial relations practitioners who are looking to increase their knowledge and skills in the art of advocacy.

Learn more and register

ALERA & IRSNSW Skills Workshop (16 Oct 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

IRSNSW AGM and Patron's Lunch (26 Nov 2026)

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

ILERA 2027 World Congress (30 Aug 2027)

Sun, 29 Aug 2027 14:00:00 GMT

30 August - 3 September 2027

ICC Sydney

Sustainable, productive and decent work: Bridging Research, practice and policy

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