Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales upcoming events

IRSQ Webinar - Wage Compliance and the Consequences of Contraventions (19 June 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Join us for a lunchtime webinar with barrister Troy Spence, with Q&A time, as he speaks to wage compliance and the consequences of contraventions.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Barrister – Troy Spence

Troy Spence has a diverse practice, with a focus on employment & industrial relations, work health & safety, discrimination and worker’ compensation.

In 2026 Troy was ranked as Preeminent junior counsel in Doyles Guide Leading Employment Law Barristers – Queensland, 2026 and also Preeminent junior counsel in Doyles Guide Leading Workplace Health & Safety Law Barristers – Queensland, 2026.

Prior to being called to the bar in 2018, Troy worked for two almost two decades representing employees in both the public and private sectors.

Troy regularly appears in the QIRC, FWC, the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Div. 2) and the Federal Court of Australia. Troy has also appeared before the Queensland Court of Appeal, the Full Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.

In our webinar, Troy will discuss:

How employers can ensure they are wage compliant; and
What considerations the courts give when ordering penalties against employers who are found to have contravened industrial instruments.

Following Troy’s discussion, there will be a Q&A session.

When: Friday 19 June 2026
Where: Online Webinar (Link to join will be shared 24hrs prior to webinar)
Time: 12pm – 1pm AEST
Cost: Complimentary for all IRS members nationally (IRSNSW and Newcastle
members email membership@irsnsw.org.au for your code)
Non-members $40.00

Secure your spot today here!

ALERA 2026 Discrimination Webinar Series - Sex Discrimination in 2026: From Complaint to Commission (24 June 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:00:00 GMT

ALERA, together with our State and Territory societies, is pleased to present the second of four National professional development masterclasses on Discrimination.

Sex Discrimination in 2026: From Complaint to Commission

Commissioner Sarah McKinnon will discuss the Fair Work Commission’s sexual harassment jurisdiction including pathways to access, trauma-informed processes, potential outcomes and common issues that arise in dealing with claims. She will also touch on other areas of the Commission’s jurisdiction where sexual harassment can arise.

Sarah McCarthy, State Chambers will explore practical approaches to managing workplace discrimination complaints across the grounds of sex, age, race and disability. Sarah will outline the complaint pathways available to employees, including the Australian Human Rights Commission and State and Territory anti-discrimination boards. Sarah will explain what employers can expect when responding to and defending a claim. Sarah will then trace the full arc of a discrimination matter, from the initial complaint process through to litigation.

The webinar will be moderated by Nicholas Wilson (IRSV), workplace relations consultant and former FWC Commissioner.

This webinar will feature a live Q&A, giving members the chance to engage directly with leading experts in industrial relations.

When: Wednesday 24 June 2026

Where: Zoom Webinar (Online)

Time: 4.00pm – 5.00pm AEST

Cost: Complimentary for all IRS members nationally

Non-members $40.00

Secure your spot today!

Mentoring Program 2026 Launch & Members Networking Drinks (24 June 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:30:00 GMT

Join us for an evening of networking and the launch of the 2026 mentorship program at the NSW Industrial Relations Society Mentoring Program 2026 Launch and Members Networking Drinks! This exciting event will take place at the stylish Cabana Bar (in the area known as the “Hideaway”), located at 25 Martin Place, Sydney, on 24 June 2026.

Starting at 5:30pm and concluding at 9:00pm, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow members, share experiences, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders and fellow practitioners. Whether you're looking to expand your professional network, want to hear about what it is like to be a mentor or mentee, this event promises to be both enjoyable and enriching.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to engage with your fellow members at the NSW Industrial Relations community. There is no additional fee – it’s a benefit of membership.

Save the Date: IRS Newcastle Branch Annual General Meeting (31 July 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Save the Date: ALERA & IRSNSW Skills Workshop (16 October 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Save the Date: IRSNSW AGM and Patron's Lunch (26 November 2026)

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Save the Date | Call for Papers and Special Sessions Now Open | 21st ILERA World Congress (30 August 2027)

Sun, 29 Aug 2027 14:00:00 GMT

Welcome from the ILERA Organising Committee Chair

On behalf of the Organising Committee, it is my great pleasure to invite you to join us in Sydney, Australia, for the 21st International Labour and Employment Relations Association World Congress, to be held from 30 August to 3 September 2027.

Widely recognised as a leading international forum for labour and employment relations scholarship and practice, the ILERA World Congress brings together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, judges, union representatives and business leaders from around the world.

The ILERA 2027 World Congress theme: “Sustainable, productive and decent work: Bridging research, practice and policy” reflects ILERA’s commitment to supporting analytically rigorous and policy-focused research.

Hosted by the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association (ALERA) and International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA), this landmark event will bring together leading researchers, practitioners and policymakers from across the globe to explore the most pressing issues in labour and employment relations today.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney in 2027.

Yours sincerely

Judge Leigh Johns OAM
ILERA Organising Committee Chair

Save the Dates

Call for Papers and Special Sessions Opens: 1 June 2026
Call for Papers and Special Sessions Closes: 28 September 2026
Early Bird Registration Opens: 1 August 2026
Early Bird Registration Closes: 14 February 2027
Standard Registration Opens: 15 February 2027
ILERA World Congress: 30 August – 3 September 2027

Call for Papers and Special Sessions Open

We are pleased to announce that the Call for Papers and Special Sessions, for the 21st ILERA World Congress is now open.

We welcome submissions across the following thematic tracks in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Track 1: Decent, Safe and Healthy Work
Track 2: Equitable and Inclusive Work
Track 3: Strong and Democratic Institutions for Work
Track 4: Decent and Productive Work in the Digital Age
Track 5: Work and Sustainable Climate Transitions

To view the Congress tracks in detail, please visit here.

Submission Details

Abstract Submissions Open: Monday 1 June 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline: Monday 28 September 2026
Notification to Authors: Friday 13 November 2026

How to Submit

Abstracts must be submitted via the below online portals:

Call for Papers Portal here.
Call for Special Sessions Portal here.

Please review the submission guidelines on our website for full details on word limits, formatting requirements and presentation types.

Early Bird Registration

Early bird registration opens 1 August 2026. We encourage all intending presenters to register early to secure the best available rate.

Sponsorship Prospectus Launch

The ILERA World Congress 2027 offers a unique opportunity to connect with a global audience of leading IR academics, practitioners, legal professionals, and policymakers. If your organisation is interested in supporting the Congress, we invite you to express your interest below and our team will be in touch with further information.

Stay Informed

To receive updates on the program, registration and all Congress news, we invite you to register your interest via our website.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney in 2027.

Warm regards

Congress Secretariat
ILERA World Congress 2027
E: enquiries@ilera2027.com
W: www.ilera2027.com