Industrial Relations Lawyer

SA Health; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 113,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

SA Health is seeking an experienced Industrial Relations Specialist or Industrial Relations Lawyer to provide expert legal and industrial relations advice across SA Health, with autonomy to manage complex cases and influence workforce outcomes.

The role focuses on employment legislation, awards and enterprise agreements, supports enterprise bargaining and partnership with stakeholders to deliver compliant, commercially sound workforce solutions within a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in industrial or workplace relations and employment law.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, awards and enterprise agreements.
• Exceptional legal research, analytical and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal and industrial relations advice on employment legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and workforce policies.
• Undertake legal research and prepare legal advice, submissions, briefs and correspondence.
• Support enterprise bargaining negotiations and workforce relations projects.
• Assist in the management of industrial disputes, litigation and tribunal proceedings.
• Contribute to development of workforce relations policies, frameworks and best practice approaches.
• Partner with stakeholders to deliver practical, compliant and commercially sound workforce solutions.

Skills

Industrial Relations

Employment Law

Legal Research

Negotiation

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Job description

Department for Health and Wellbeing – Corporate and Infrastructure – Workforce Services Salary: $112,715 to $120,823 – LE3 – Full Time / Permanent Appointment

Overview: Are you a legal or industrial relations professional looking to make a meaningful impact in one of South Australia's largest and most complex workforces? The Department for Health and Wellbeing is seeking an experienced Industrial Relations Specialist / Industrial Relations Lawyer to provide expert legal and industrial relations advice across SA Health. This is a unique opportunity to work on high-profile workforce matters while developing specialist expertise in public sector employment and industrial relations law. As an IR Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting workforce relations outcomes by providing timely, practical and legally sound advice on a broad range of industrial and employment matters. Working with a high degree of autonomy, you will manage complex cases, influence outcomes, and contribute to significant workforce relations initiatives across the health sector.

Day to day responsibilities include:

• Provide expert legal and industrial relations advice on employment legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and workforce policies. Manage complex industrial and employment matters with professionalism and sound judgement.
• Undertake legal research and prepare legal advice, submissions, briefs and correspondence.
• Support enterprise bargaining negotiations and workforce relations projects.
• Assist in the management of industrial disputes, litigation and tribunal proceedings.
• Contribute to the development of workforce relations policies, frameworks and best practice approaches.
• Partner with stakeholders to deliver practical, compliant and commercially sound workforce solutions.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate proven experience in industrial or workplace relations and employment law, supported by strong knowledge of relevant legislation, awards and enterprise agreements. You will possess exceptional legal research, analytical and written communication skills, with the ability to manage complex matters, provide strategic advice to stakeholders, and build effective relationships through strong negotiation and advocacy capabilities. You will also be able to work autonomously while contributing positively to a collaborative and high-performing team environment. You are a confident and commercially minded industrial relations or employment law professional with strong analytical and communication skills. You thrive in complex environments and are comfortable providing trusted advice on sensitive workforce matters. This is an outstanding opportunity to build your career within a highly respected workforce relations and legal team. You'll gain exposure to enterprise bargaining, industrial advocacy, workforce reform initiatives and complex employment matters while working alongside experienced legal and industrial relations specialists. If you're looking to develop specialist expertise, make a genuine impact and contribute to the delivery of South Australia's health services, we'd love to hear from you.

SA Health is committed to providing an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion for all employees. We strongly encourage applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, culturally diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTIQA+SB community and people who live with disability and/or neurodivergence. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to provide a positive and supportive work environment. You are encouraged to let us know if have any support or access requirements during the recruitment process and beyond to ensure you can perform at your best.

Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and appropriate immunisation requirements.

Job ref: 954376 Criminal History Screening Requirement

• A ‘National Police Certificate’ NPC (also known as a ‘Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check’ NCCHC) for employment involving no contact with vulnerable groups is required for this position (general employment) Immunisation Risk for this position is Category C (minimal patient contact) SA Health Services are required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy in the workplace.

Special Conditions

• Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Laws (or an equivalent qualification), be admitted, or be eligible for admission, as a legal practitioner in South Australia, and hold, or be eligible to obtain, a current practising certificate. This is an essential requirement of the position.

Attachments

• 954376 - Industrial Relations Lawyer - Role Description.pdf
• Australian applicant guidelines
• International applicant guidelines

Application Closing Date Sunday, 22 November 2026 – 11:55 PM