Industrial Officer

Talent Propeller; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 131,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks' recreation leave

36 weeks' paid parental leave

Paid study leave and financial support

Hybrid working and flexible hours

Job summary

The National Tertiary Education Union (NSW Division) in Sydney is seeking an experienced Industrial Officer to lead staff representation in the university sector, focusing on enterprise bargaining, governance reforms, and WHS enforcement. You will provide expert advice and strategic direction to bargaining teams.

This role offers a pathway to shaping higher education policy and worker rights. You will manage a varied caseload, prepare filings before the Fair Work Commission and courts, and

Qualifications

• Qualified and experienced industrial officer in NSW higher education sector.
• Experience representing staff in industrial matters.
• Ability to lead negotiations and provide technical bargaining advice.

Responsibilities

• Represent members on workplace issues and disputes.
• Prepare and run applications, submissions and evidence before tribunals and courts.
• Provide high-level bargaining advice to bargaining teams and lead enterprise negotiations.
• Research governance, WHS and industrial issues to brief elected officers.
• Mentor organisers and delegates to strengthen collective capacity.
• Collaborate with colleagues in a growing industrial team.

Skills

Advocacy

Enterprise bargaining

Work Health & Safety

Governance reform

Litigation strategy

Job description

• Rewarding career with a progressive organisation

The National Tertiary Education Union (NSW) is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced Industrial Officer for our NSW Division located in Surry Hills.

Shape the future of higher education

The university sector is in a challenging period of transition. As an NTEU Industrial Officer, you'll be at the centre of major industrial and political developments, including:

• Enterprise bargaining and protected industrial action that delivers meaningful gains in pay, conditions and equity
• Legislative reform on university governance, improving accountability and transparency
• Work Health & Safety enforcement, especially on workloads and psychosocial risks
• Strategic litigation to protect staff rights, including the right to secure work, intellectual freedom, and political expression

This is a role where your advocacy has direct, lasting impact for thousands of university staff - and where your skills will help shape the future of Australia's public universities. You'll be joining an expanded and ambitious industrial team with a strong record of achievement across NSW.

About the NTEU (NSW Division)

The National Tertiary Education Union is the federally registered union representing staff in and around higher education. In NSW, we cover all 10 public universities, their student organisations, research institutes and associated entities.

We are a progressive, values-driven union that backs our members with sector-leading conditions, including:

• Five weeks' recreation leave
• 36 weeks' paid parental leave
• Paid study leave and financial support for further study
• Hybrid working and flexible hours

We actively encourage applications from women and non-binary candidates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and others under-represented in industrial and legal fields.

What you'll do

• Manage a diverse and challenging case load, representing members on workplace issues and disputes
• Prepare and run applications, submissions and evidence before the Fair Work Commission, tribunals and courts
• Provide high-level advice and technical expertise to bargaining teams, and lead enterprise bargaining negotiations
• Research and analyse industrial, governance and WHS issues, and prepare strategic advice for elected officers
• Mentor and support organisers, delegates and members to strengthen collective capacity
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in a growing, high-performing industrial team

To perform this role you will be required to have or obtain, and maintain a valid driver's licence; and Right of Entry Permits.

Salary range is as per NTEU National Staff Agreement Level 7 ($131,486 - $145,168 per annum, plus 17% superannuation).

Applications close 11:59 pm (AEDT) on Monday, 16 November 2026.

NTEU (NSW) welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds, genders, and experiences. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. Applicants will be given priority consideration and preference in selection for this vacancy if they are from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background.