Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association upcoming events

IRSWA - Advocacy Course (20 Nov 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

After a long hiatus and due to popular demand and member requests, we’re bringing the IRSWA Advocacy Course back in 2026!

The course is designed for human resources, industrial relations practitioners and lawyers to develop and enhance their skills in the art of advocacy.

With WA Commission members adjudicating and supported by interstate facilitators (Chris O’Grady KC and Leigh Howard, Vic Bar) who run this course for other IR societies, the return of this course to WA is not to be missed

Interested members are invited to send EOI's to ensure they can access pre-sale tickets and limited early bird prices, before the rest of the tickets get released to members and general public.

When: Friday 20 November to Sunday 22 November

Spots will be limited. Membership is encouraged to ensure you have the best chance of obtaining pre-sale tickets - join today!

Email the IRSWA Committee to register your interest.

IRST - AGM and EOY Event (23 Nov 2026)

Mon, 23 Nov 2026 07:00:00 GMT

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

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

2026 AGM & Patron's Lunch

THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2026

Members Dining Room Parliament House

Program

11.45am IRSNSW AGM registration commences

12.00pm IRSNSW AGM commences

12.30pm Patron's Lunch commences

3.00pm Patron's Lunch concludes

AGM

Information for members about the AGM is available on the website at IRSNSW committee reports. We invite members to consider nominating for a committee position using the nomination form in the link by 4pm Wednesday 18 November 2026. Please note, as this is a members only page, members will need to login to access this material.

Attendance at the AGM only has no cost, a cost only applies if you are attending lunch.

Patron's Lunch

The AGM and Patron’s Lunch will feature a sit down discussion with our Patron, Anna Booth (Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman), and Susan Booth, former Fair Work Commissioner, who was appointed by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to conduct the Closing Loopholes Review, which was tabled in Parliament in August 2026.

Learn more and register now

ALERA 2026 Discrimination Webinar Series - “Why systemic reform is needed and what employers can do at the workplace level to improve accessibility and inclusion” (26 Nov 2026)

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

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

“Why systemic reform is needed and what employers can do at the workplace level to improve accessibility and inclusion”

Sarah McLeod and Nikita Barsby of Modern Legal will explore accessibility and inclusion at work, with a focus on neurodiversity and women’s health. Sarah and Nikita will discuss how this can look in practice, including through job design, communication norms, sensory considerations, and supports for women's health.

Mark Cox of MDC Legal will explore the misalignment of addressing systemic discrimination in employment through the current individual-led and complaints-based models of enforcing anti-discrimination legislation, and “do no harm” principles that should be considered when carrying out investigations and management actions.

The webinar will be moderated by Eunice Ong, Senior Legal Officer at the Australian Workers’ Union and Vice President of IRSWA.

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

When: Thursday 26 November 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!

We ask that State IRS members, register via their IRS website

ALERA ACT - AGM (26 Nov 2026)

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 07:00:00 GMT

ALERA ACT - AGM

The 2026/2027 Annual General Meeting of members of the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association - ACT Branch will be held at:

Where: Level 1, 220 London Circuit, Canberra (Room details to follow)

When: Thursday, 26 November 2026, at 6pm.

Networking and drinks will follow the AGM.

Agenda

Minutes of previous AGM
President’s report
Treasurer’s report
Election of Committee Members
Schedule of Events for 2027
Next AGM
Other Business

Learn more and register now.

IRSV - Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference (2 Dec 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 01:00:00 GMT

The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria is pleased to announce its inaugural Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference.

Conference program

Sessions include:

Mapping Interests, Not Positions: advanced bargaining strategy through real-world scenarios and Q&A
What Are Courts and Tribunals Doing About AI?
Inside the Room: the skills of conciliation, persuasion and resolution
From Instructions to Argument: how an industrial case is built
No Single Way In: building a career in industrial relations
The Long Career: choices, turning points and professional courage
A 2026 industrial relations round-up.

The program brings together perspectives from across the profession, including the bench, Bar, legal practice, unions and academia, with speakers currently confirmed including:

Judge Johns
Judge Bromberg
Josh Bornstein
Professor Anthony Forsyth
Natalie James
Herman Borenstein KC
Tess Hardy
Jack Tracey KC.

More speakers and full program to be announced!

IRSV - AGM & Patrons Dinner (2 Dec 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Patron's Dinner

Starts with pre-dinner drinks and the Patron’s Dinner, featuring a keynote address from Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC reflecting on a lifetime of industrial relations and the future of the profession. 

Annual General Meeting

IRSV will also be hosting our Annual General Meeting in between the Conference and the Dinner.

Please see the Notice of 2026 AGM and Nomination Form.docxfor further information or to get involved with the IRSV.

Learn more and register now

ILERA 2027 World Congress (30 Aug 2027)

Sun, 29 Aug 2027 14:00:00 GMT

Register today for the International Labour and Employment Relations Association 21st World Congress (ILERA 2027)

We’re thrilled to invite you to register for ILERA 2027, taking place from 31 August – 3 September 2027, at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC).

Registration now – secure your spot today