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• IRSV's Advocacy Course 2025

  • Start
    20 Aug 2025
  • End
    6 Sep 2025
  • Location
    Melbourne
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  NOTE: The 2025 Course is now fully subscribed. If you were intending to register, please join the waiting list for any cancellations and priority entry into the 2026 program.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria is pleased to announce that its popular Advocacy Training Program will run again in 2025.

  The program is a skill-based program directed at advocacy skills for appearances in the Fair Work Commission. The program is a great opportunity for new advocates looking to learn and obtain practical experience and experienced advocates seeking to refresh their skills.

  The IRSV Course is presented by Chris O'Grady QC and Brian Lacy AO, Barrister and former Senior Deputy President of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

  Limited spots are available, and preference will be given to IRSV Members.

  PRICING

  Members - $2,250.00 inc GST

  Non Members - $2,500.00 inc GST

  Costs include course material, catering and refreshments

  DATES

  20 and 27 August 2025 from 6.00pm - 9.00pm (Victoria University, Tower Campus, located at 370 Little Lonsdale Street).
  

  30 August and 6 September 2025 from 9.00am - 4.00pm (at the Fair Work Commission)

  
  

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• The State of Industrial Relations in 2025: Discussion with Jaclyn Symes MP

  • When
    27 Aug 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Law Institute of Victoria, Level 13, 140 William Street, Melbourne
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  The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria and the Law Institute of Victoria warmly invite you to this year’s Women in Industrial Relations Event. All are welcome! 

  The Industrial Relations and Employment Law (IR/ER) community have experienced myriad of changes over the past few years with significant reforms to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). As part of some of these reforms, their full impact are yet to be seen.

  This year’s keynote speaker is the recently appointed Treasurer of Victoria and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Honourable Jaclyn Symes MP. This event will commence with an address by Minister Symes, and then followed by an opportunity for attendees to share their reflections on the state of IR/ER in 2025. As part of this event, Minister Symes would love to hear from the audience directly about:

  • The big issues affecting the IR/ER sphere in Victoria, with a focus on those impacting women;
  • the audience’s experience with recent legislative changes, including what reforms they see are/are not working and what further changes are required; and
  • What can the Victorian State Government do or what changes should it advocate for with its Federal counterpart.

  There will also be a networking opportunity with canapés and drinks provided prior to and following the discussion which will start at 6:30 pm sharp. 

  About Jaclyn Symes MP

  
  

  After finishing year 12 and growing up in Benalla, Jaclyn moved to Melbourne in 1997 to undertake a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University and was admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer in 2006. During her early career, Jaclyn worked as carer for people with intellectual disabilities. This experience made her acutely aware of the struggles that those with a disability experience daily and the importance of the Government putting in place the right policies to address their challenges. Following her time as a carer, Jaclyn was drawn to the union movement and took up a role with the Australian Services Union as an Industrial Officer. 

  To make a real difference, Jaclyn realised that she would need to influence policy. This led her to a role as an Advisor to the former Bracks/Brumby Labor Government working for the then Deputy Premier and Attorney General Rob Hulls. Following a change in Government in 2010, Jaclyn became Senior Legal and Justice Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Andrews. At the November 2014 election, Jaclyn was elected to Parliament as a Member for Northern Victoria. After her re-election in the 2018 Victorian State Election, Jaclyn was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources and Deputy Leader of the Legislative Council. In 2019, Jaclyn became the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. Until 2024, Jaclyn was the Attorney General and Minister for Emergency Services before a change in portfolios led her to become the Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Regional Development. She remains the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. 

  Jaclyn is passionate about social justice and hard work. She values ensuring equity, access to justice and believes in an individual’s opportunity to have a “fair go”. Jaclyn believes that good representation involves advocacy, action, activism, and accountability and she is passionate about building the strength of the Northern Victorian region, making positive changes for the residents in its many towns. Jaclyn is committed to supporting major projects, creating jobs for the future, and building stronger regional communities. 

  Ministries 

  • Treasurer since December 2024
  • Minister for Industrial Relations since December 2024 
  • Minister for Regional Development since December 2024 

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• Appellate Advocacy at the FWC and Springtime Member Catchup Drinks with the Industrial Bar Association

  • When
    18 Sep 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    RACV City Club, Club Pavillion (Level 2), 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
  • Spaces left
    190

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  IRSV's 2025 Advocacy Skills Series 

  Appellate Advocacy at the FWC

  & Springtime member catchup drinks with the Industrial Bar Association 

  
  

  Speakers: the Hon Dr Iain Ross AO and Leigh Howard

  Location: RACV City Club, Club Pavillion, Level 2, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne

  Time: 18 September 2025, 5:00 pm (for a 5:15 pm lecture start) to 8:00 pm

  Price: $35 for members ($120 for non-members)

  Drinks and canapes will be served for after the seminar. Further information on the seminar will be provided to members closer to the date.
  

  

  
  

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• ALERA National Conference, Brisbane

  • Start
    9 Oct 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    11 Oct 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    The Star, Brisbane

   

  ALERA is excited to announce registrations are open for the 2025 National Conference.

  When: Thursday 9^th to Saturday 11^th October

  Where: The Star, Brisbane
  

  
  

  Join your IR colleagues in Brisbane for a standout line-up of leading voices in industrial relations, ready to share their expertise, fresh perspectives, and the latest developments shaping the field. Expect engaging discussions, interactive sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with professionals and leaders from across the sector.

  View the list of speakers here and program here

  Link for speakers https://aleraconference.com.au/speakers/

  Link for program https://aleraconference.com.au/program/

  Link to register now https://aleraconference.com.au/registration/

  
  

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