How to become a Workplace Relations Officer

Workplace relations officers manage employment conditions and related issues. Workplace relations officers aim to encourage employees and employers to work towards effective organisational practices. They may represent industrial, commercial, union, employer or other organisations in workplace and industrial negotiations.

Personal requirements for a Workplace Relations Officer

Good communication skills
Good conflict-resolution and negotiation skills
Willing to work within rules (legislative and legal)

Education & Training for a Workplace Relations Officer

To become a workplace relations officer you usually have to complete a degree with a major in industrial relations and/or human resource management. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Institutions have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of a Workplace Relations Officer

Workplace relations officers:

Advise on the operation of industrial awards and agreements
Undertake negotiations on rates of pay and conditions of employment for employees and employers through enterprise bargaining negotiations
Represent employees or employers before workplace relations tribunals on matters such as enterprise bargaining agreements, disputes and termination of employment
Develop and administer policies on different employee classifications, wage structures and related matters
Establish and maintain good relationships between employers and employees
Examine and attempt to resolve workplace disputes and grievances (by acting as the management representative in discussions with trade unions about the effects of technological change on the duties of employees in a manufacturing workshop, for example)
Study and interpret relevant workplace relations legislation (the laws formulated by parliament to control industrial practices in the workplace)
Advise others on the proper procedures for carrying out negotiations and on the special regulations relating to employment and salary agreements
Conduct research into particular workplace relations issues (such as the effects of changes in work practices on productivity).

Tasks

Studies and interprets legislation, awards, collective agreements and employment contracts, wage payment systems and dispute settlement procedures.
Maintains personnel records and associated human resource information systems.
Oversees the formation and conduct of workplace consultative committees and employee participation initiatives.
Arranges the induction of staff and provides information on conditions of service, salaries and promotional opportunities.
Develops, plans and formulates enterprise agreements or collective contracts such as productivity-based wage adjustment procedures, workplace relations policies and programmes, and procedures for their implementation.
Receives and records job vacancy information from employers such as details about job description, wages and conditions of employment.

Working conditions for a Workplace Relations Officer

The work of workplace relations officers varies according to where they are employed. Those employed by organisations with a large workforce aim to minimise workplace disputes by acting as a communication link between management and employees. Those working for employer associations or trade unions aim to protect the interests of the group they are representing.

Employment Opportunities for a Workplace Relations Officer

Workplace 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 roles within organisations or work for themselves. Their duties often include human resource management. New graduates may have difficulty obtaining immediate employment in workplace relations and may have to work initially in a related field, such as human resources. Prospects are better for experienced workplace relations officers who have proven their ability in this area.

Specializations

Workplace Relations Officer

Average age
45 years
Future Growth
Strong
Gender Share
45% female
Average full-time
44 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,662
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
84% Full-Time
Employment Size
3,500 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 2.6%
NSW: 27.6%
NT: 1.4%
QLD: 19.2%
SA: 7.8%
TAS: 2.8%
VIC: 27.2%
WA: 11.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.4%
20-24: 4.1%
25-34: 22.4%
35-44: 23.1%
45-54: 25.4%
55-59: 12%
60-64: 8.5%
65 and Over: 4.1%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 9.8%
Bachelor degree: 34.7%
Certificate III/IV: 16.4%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 19.6%
Year 10 and below: 6%
Year 11: 2.1%
Year 12: 11.5%