INDUSTRIAL OFFICER (IO)

Unions NSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 131,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36 weeks parental leave

Study leave & financial support for研究

Hybrid working

Job summary

The National Tertiary Education Union (NSW Division) invites applications for an Industrial Officer in its Surry Hills office. You’ll drive major industrial developments, advise bargaining teams and represent staff on workplace issues across higher education, including governance reforms and safety matters.

Joining a progressive, values-driven union, you’ll contribute to enterprise bargaining, strategic litigation and staff advocacy within a growing NSW team.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Industrial Officer or in industrial relations within higher education or public sector.
• Strong skills in advocacy, bargaining and strategy development.
• Knowledge of Work Health & Safety issues as they relate to staff workloads and safety.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse and challenging case load representing members on workplace issues and disputes.
• Prepare and run applications, submissions and evidence before 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.

Skills

Industrial relations

Negotiations

WHS knowledge

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:

• 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

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, 9 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.