APS6 & EL1 Workplace Relations / IR Specialists

HorizonOne; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 96,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Canberra based role

Job summary

HorizonOne Recruitment Pty partners with an independent Commonwealth regulator based in Canberra to source APS6 and EL1 workplace relations specialists for labour hire across a brand-new agency. The role focuses on shaping foundational IR practices rather than maintaining established routines, with meaningful bargaining and advisory work.

As the agency grows, you will advise on the Fair Work Act and APS employment frameworks, engage stakeholders and unions, and manage employee relations with

Qualifications

• APS experience in workplace or industrial relations at APS6 or EL1 level
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act, APS frameworks and enterprise agreements
• Clear, practical advisory skills with ability to explain complex matters simply
• Strong stakeholder engagement, including unions and bargaining reps
• Integrity, discretion and sound judgement in sensitive matters
• Availability for labour hire engagements

Responsibilities

• Support or lead enterprise agreement bargaining, consultation and implementation
• Provide advice on workplace relations, industrial relations and APS employment conditions
• Interpret and apply enterprise agreements, legislation and APS policies
• Manage employee relations and case management matters
• Prepare briefs, correspondence and advice for senior leaders
• Engage with staff, managers, unions and bargaining representatives
• Review and develop HR and workplace relations policies and guidelines

Skills

Workplace relations

Industrial relations

Enterprise bargaining

Stakeholder engagement

Policy interpretation

APS experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/IR/Law

Job description

Our client is an independent Commonwealth regulator, established in 2026 and based in Canberra.

Created as part of a major reform agenda, the agency brings a range of national regulatory functions together under one roof.

As a young organisation, it is still building its workforce, policies and ways of working, which makes this an interesting time to be part of its people and workplace relations team.

The Opportunity

We are keen to hear from APS6 and EL1 workplace relations, industrial relations and enterprise agreement bargaining specialists who are available for labour hire with this newly formed agency.

You will be helping to set the foundations for how the agency looks after its people, rather than stepping into a well-established routine.

You’ll have the chance to:

• Help shape workplace relations in a brand new agency, not just maintain what’s already there
• Work on meaningful IR and bargaining matters in a growing team
• Hybrid working arrangements

The Role

Roles will vary depending on level, but will include a mix of the following.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Supporting or leading enterprise agreement bargaining, consultation and implementation
• Providing advice on workplace relations, industrial relations and employment conditions under APS frameworks
• Interpreting and applying enterprise agreements, legislation and APS employment policy
• Managing employee relations and case management matters
• Preparing briefs, correspondence and advice for senior leaders
• Engaging with staff, managers, unions and bargaining representatives
• Reviewing and developing HR and workplace relations policies and guidelines

The Ideal Person

You are a workplace relations or industrial relations professional with solid APS experience at the APS6 or EL1 level, and you know your way around enterprise agreements, APS employment frameworks and the people who make them work.

Whether you have sat at the bargaining table or kept a newly made agreement running smoothly, your experience is in demand, and labour hire gives you the freedom to put it to work where it is needed most.

You will bring the following skills and experience:

• Australian Public Service experience in workplace relations, industrial relations or enterprise agreement bargaining
• A sound working knowledge of the Fair Work Act, APS employment frameworks and enterprise agreements
• Clear, practical advice skills and the ability to explain complex matters in plain language
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including working with unions and bargaining representatives
• Good judgement, integrity and discretion when handling sensitive matters
• Availability for labour hire engagements

It’s also desirable if you have:

• Direct experience in an APS enterprise agreement bargaining round
• A tertiary qualification in human resources, industrial relations, law or a related field
• An existing Australian Government security clearance

Salary / Rate

• $70/hr – $105/hr + Super
• 6-month Labour hire engagement
• Canberra based, with hybrid working arrangements available

HorizonOne is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and we encourage applications from people of all cultures, capabilities and backgrounds.