IRSNSW Mentoring Program 2026

WHat is it?

The IRSNSW Mentoring Program provides an opportunity for people with extensive experience in the field of industrial relations (or a related area such as human resources or employment law) to mentor people who:

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Mentors and Mentees

Both mentors and mentees must be members of the Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales (IRSNSW) or willing to become members.

We are looking for mentors from highly experienced people across the range of sectors in the industrial relations field including academics, government, unions, employer associations, lawyers, and consultants.

Mentees may be, for example:

Length of Program

The Mentoring Program will run for 4 months.  

Mentors and mentees are free to agree to extend the timeframe beyond the formal IRSNSW mentoring program.

Connecting mentors and mentees

People wishing to become mentors or mentees must complete an Expression of Interest form (see below). 

IRSNSW Mentoring Program Committee will review the completed forms to determine eligibility for the program and decide suitable mentor-mentee pairings.

Once mentor and mentee have been matched and have completed the training, they will need to sign and submit a copy of the Mentoring Agreement to membership@irsnsw.org.au - a copy of which is available on Mentoring Agreement tab. 

Training and support

Once participants have been accepted into the program, mentors and mentees will have access to training provided online through a specialist mentoring provider. It is highly encouraged to complete this training prior to entering into a formal mentoring agreement.

IRSNSW will check-in the with participants, by email, survey and/or phone call through the process. The purpose of the check-in is to ensure that the mentee is benefiting from the arrangement, that the mentor continues to have the time available to dedicate to the program and to check that they are on track to meet the goals they set.

LAUNCH EVENT

A launch and networking event for the mentoring program will be held early into the program . Mentors and mentees are highly encouraged to attend and participate.

At this event, mentors and mentees will formally meet each other and agree between themselves, and make a commitment to each other, about how they will work together including goal setting and frequency of meeting.