Industrial Relations Officer (NSW/ACT)

State/Territory Specific Information

Education and Training:

To become an industrial relations officer you usually have to complete a degree at university with a major in industrial relations and/or human resource management. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. You may also be required to attend an interview. Most universities in Australia offer degrees with majors in industrial relations and/or human resource management. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

  1. Bachelor of Art Theory / Bachelor of Arts
  2. Bachelor of Arts *
  3. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Commerce *
  4. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of International Studies
  5. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws *
  6. Bachelor of Business *
  7. Bachelor of Business - Management
  8. Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Commerce
  9. Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Laws *
  10. Bachelor of Business and Commerce
  11. Bachelor of Business and Commerce - Advanced Business Leadership
  12. Bachelor of Business and Commerce - Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
  13. Bachelor of Business and Commerce / Bachelor of Laws
  14. Bachelor of Commerce *
  15. Bachelor of Commerce - Liberal Studies *
  16. Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Arts *
  17. Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Information Systems
  18. Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws *
  19. Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery
  20. Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Science *
  21. Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies / Bachelor of Commerce
  22. Bachelor of Engineering - Computer or Electrical or Telecommunications / Bachelor of Arts
  23. Bachelor of Engineering - Materials Science and Engineering / Bachelor of Commerce
  24. Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Business *
  25. Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Commerce *
  26. Bachelor of Fine Arts / Bachelor of Arts
  27. Bachelor of International Studies / Bachelor of Business and Commerce
  28. Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Arts *
  29. Bachelor of Science - Advanced Science / Bachelor of Social Science
  30. Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Business and Commerce
  31. Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Social Science
  32. Bachelor of Social Work / Bachelor of Social Science

Employment Opportunities:

Industrial relations officers may be employed by large private or public sector organisations, employer associations, trade unions or government. Some may progress to consultant and principal consultant within organisations or work for themselves. Their duties often include human resource management.

New graduates may have difficulty in obtaining immediate employment in industrial relations and may have to work initially in a related field, such as human resources. Prospects are better for experienced industrial relations officers who have proven their ability in this area.

For Further Information:

Australian Human Resources Institute (National Office)

(03) 9918 9200

Fair Work Australia

1300 799 675

Fair Work Ombudsman

Unions NSW

(02) 9881 5999

Information for other states and territories: