Principal Industrial Relations Advisor

Christian Schools Australia

Canberra ACT (or by negotiation for the right applicant)

Part time 0.6

Christian Schools Australia (CSA) is the largest association of Christian schools in the country and has member schools educating over 96,500 students and employing over 15,500 staff at more than 210 locations across Australia. CSA member schools provide high quality education within an authentic Christian learning community.

CSA seeks a Principal Industrial Relations Advisor to provide guidance to schools regarding employment matters. The role involves:

• Interpreting and providing expert guidance in relation to employment related legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), WHS Act, workers compensation, anti-discrimination, and general protections for Commonwealth and State/Territory  jurisdictions.
• Provide counsel on employment contracts and terminations.
• Provide expert guidance to schools directly and the CSA People and Culture Service on employment related matters.
• Representation at Fair Work Commission conciliation hearings and other industrial tribunals as required on behalf of schools.
• Take carriage of enterprise agreement negotiations on behalf of schools, including applications to the Fair Work Commission.
• Monitor industrial instruments for the education sector
• Monitor legislative changes and communicate compliance issues to member schools and the CSA People and Culture Service.
• Provide guidance and written communications to CSA member schools as required.

Key attributes:

• Proven industrial relations expertise
• Self-motivated to retain currency of knowledge regarding industrial matters
• Strong communicator, with well-developed interpersonal skills
• Proven negotiation expertise

The successful applicant will have:

• A strong Christian faith and well-grounded Christian worldview
• An understanding of the Christian schooling sector
• Tertiary qualifications in employment law, Industrial relations or human resources.
• Minimum of 5 years experience working in roles providing subject matter expertise in workplace and industrial relations
• Excellent verbal and written communication and problem-solving skills
• Current working knowledge of the industrial relations system at both Commonwealth and State/Territory levels
• Demonstrated ability to network and form relationships with key stakeholders
• Ability to undertake some domestic travel

Full application requirements are outlined in the Application Package.  Contact Alecia Botha abotha@csa.edu.au to be forwarded a copy.

Applications close: 4.00pm AEST Monday 8 June, 2026. We reserve the right to close applications earlier should a suitable candidate be identified, so early submission is encouraged.