Industrial Officer

Offshore Alliance

Perth WA (Hybrid)

Industrial Relations and Employment Law (Legal)

Full time

Up to 120,000 per year

Offshore Alliance Industrial Officer

Position Description

The Offshore Alliance is a successful member-led industrial organisation that combines the industrial, organising and legal resources of The Australian Workers’ Union and the Maritime Union of Australia. The Alliance organises in all sectors of the hydrocarbons sector in and off the coast of Western Australia including production, maintenance, inspection, construction, drilling, catering, ROV, aviation and others. The Alliance currently has over 4,200 financial members.

The Alliance was formed to protect and advance the interests of workers in the offshore sector through targeted campaigns, strategic bargaining and worker empowerment, always putting the interests of its members first. The Alliance has grown significantly through targeted campaigns, enterprise agreement negotiations and the tireless efforts of the current organising team and now requires a dedicated Industrial Officer to ensure member representation and the advancement of member rights remains at the current high level.

The position will ideally be based in Perth, however this may be flexible for the right applicant. The successful applicant will be responsible for providing member representation for Offshore Alliance members, working with a team of high performing and experienced organisers and an experienced Legal Officer. The position will work under the supervision of the Senior National Legal Officer of The Australian Workers’ Union and the Offshore Alliance Legal Officer.

The successful applicant will take carriage of a variety of matters with the appropriate support from local and national legal officers and officials. The main focus of the role will be supporting Offshore Alliance members by the preparation, filing, and conduct of all member matters, including unfair dismissals, general protections matters, enterprise agreement disputes, the provision of advice, underpayments and other similar matters. The Industrial Officer will also represent members in meetings with their employers from time to time. There will also be ample opportunity to engage in bargaining related matters such as protected industrial action, majority support determinations and assisting in litigation.

The Offshore Alliance is a very active union, both industrially and legally, and takes a direct and unapologetic approach to representing members’ interests. Working in this role will give the successful applicant invaluable experience working with experienced organisers and legal officers.

We encourage both junior and more experienced industrial officers or lawyers to apply for this role. The successful applicant will be expected to take carriage of their own matters and work autonomously under the general direction of the legal team.

The successful applicant will be required to appear before the Fair Work Commission representing the rights of Offshore Alliance members on a regular basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated industrial officer or lawyer looking to progress their career and take the next step with an active, member-led union. This position will offer the right applicant both autonomy and active support from knowledgeable organisers and legal officers, and consistent and broad experience in industrial relations.

No legal qualification is necessary to apply for this role. However, those with relevant qualifications or are currently completing studies are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

To be the successful applicant you must meet the following criteria:

Experience as an organiser, industrial officer or legal officer.

Some knowledge of Australian industrial relations and employment law.

Effective advocacy skills.

Ability to work effectively with organisers and members, and to a broader industrial campaign or goal.

Ability to work under pressure and with limited supervision against well-resourced opponents.

Capacity to exercise good judgement, and work independently within a team environment.

Ability to take direction and consider multiple interests.

A commitment to unionism and a belief in social justice.

A willingness to travel inter-State, including to regional or remote locations if required.

DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES:

You will have an advantage in applying for this position if you have one or more of the following attributes:

Previous experience working for a trade union or similar organisation.

Prior experience in industrial and employment tribunals or courts.

Prior involvement in the labour movement or progressive community organisations.

Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including members, delegates, full-time officials, employers, and other stakeholders.

Examples of applications, briefs, submissions, and/or advice prepared by you.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

A salary of up to 120,000 will be offered depending on experience.

To apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the Position Description, Essential Criteria and Desirable Attributes to Offshore Alliance using the subject heading ‘Offshore Alliance Industrial Officer’. The deadline for applications is Friday 29 May 2026.

NOTE: Never make payment to any employer, person, company, contractor or agency to get hired for a Job.

Coordinator Zach Duncalfe at zach.duncalfe@nat.awu.net.au