Senior Employee Relations Advisor

Department of Education, Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer superannuation

Generous leave

Professional development

Salary packaging

Public transport access

Job summary

Department of Education, Western Australia is seeking a qualified professional to support the Industrial and Employee Relations Directorate. The role provides high-level advice, training and support on employment and performance management matters, including handling breach claims and interpreting Awards and Agreements.

You will work with the Manager Employee Relations to manage complex cases and prepare ministerial briefs.

Qualifications

• Experience providing high-level advice on employment and performance management matters.
• Ability to resolve breach claims under Public Sector Standards.
• Experience preparing Ministerial correspondence and briefing notes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and training delivery skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level advice and training to key stakeholders on employment matters.
• Manage complex performance cases and conduct investigations as needed.
• Interpret Awards and Agreements and apply relevant industrial instruments.
• Prepare Ministerial correspondence, reports and briefings in collaboration with the Manager Employee Relations.
• Represent the Department in industrial relations forums and contribute to policy development.

Skills

Employment law knowledge

Performance management

Investigation skills

Policy development

Job description

This is a permanent full-time position commencing October 2026

The Industrial and Employee Relations Directorate comprises the Industrial Relations and Employee Relations branches and is responsible for ensuring compliance with industrial instruments and associated legislative frameworks.

The Directorate provides strategic and operational advice and support on a wide range of industrial and employee relations matters, supports effective performance management, and assists school leaders and line managers with discrete human resource issues, including conduct, while advising the Minister, Director General and senior leaders on complex workforce matters.

The Role

The successful applicant will support the Industrial and Employee Relations Directorate by working collaboratively within the Employee Relations team to provide high-level advice, training and support to key stakeholders. This includes providing guidance and support on employment and performance management matters, resolving breach claims against the Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management, delivering training and interpreting Awards and Agreements.

Operating with a degree of autonomy under the broad direction of the Manager Employee Relations, the successful applicant will manage complex performance cases, conduct investigations, undertake research and analysis on employee relations matter and prepare Ministerial correspondence, reports and briefings in consultation with the Manager Employee Relations. The applicant will work on a variety of projects to support Branch priorities.

In addition, the position represents the Department in industrial relations and other relevant forums, and contributes to the development, implementation and review of employee relations policies and procedures.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in East Perth and our employees enjoy a range of benefits which include:

• 12% employer contributed superannuation.
• Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities and study leave/assistance
• Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments)
• Enjoy easy access to public transport with the Claisebrook train station just a 5-minute walk away or, take advantage of the free Yellow Cat bus service that stops outside our building entrance. Additionally, various CPP parking locations are within walking distance.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mario Schmidt on [phone] or by emailing [e-mail]

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Applicants assessed as suitable may be considered for similar vacancies that arise in our branch within the next 12 months. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE1063929

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday 11 September 2026