Employee Relations Specialist

• Full Time, Permanent Role
• Location: Open to applicants in capital cities across Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth, Darwin
• Salary $120,000 + Super + NFP Salary Packaging
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all.

Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your opportunity

Join Mission Australia as an Employee Relations Specialist and help create a fair, safe and supportive workplace so our teams can focus on building brighter futures for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

In this role you will coach leaders through complex ER/IR matters, conduct respectful and procedurally fair investigations, and use insights to identify risks early and lift performance. You will strengthen policies and tools, represent the organisation with professionalism when required, and partner with our internal teams to support change with empathy and care.

Bring sound judgment, a calm presence and a commitment to dignity, inclusion and compliance, so the way we work reflects our purpose and enables our people to make a real impact every day.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Provide clear, practical advice and coaching to leaders and employees on complex ER/IR issues.
• Manage end‑to‑end cases (misconduct, performance, grievances, and non‑work‑related injury/illness) with procedural fairness.
• Lead formal workplace investigations and prepare detailed reports
• Represent Mission Australia in union discussions and at industrial tribunals and regulatory hearings when required.
• Contribute to written resources, publications and organisational initiatives.
• Support organisational change (closures, transitions, restructures) and present in relevant forums and networks.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, acting as a trusted and credible advisor
• Use HR/ER metrics and workforce data to identify trends, reduce risk and improve operational performance and Monitor legislative and case law developments and provide practical insights

Requirements for success

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Employee/Industrial Relations, Law or a related field (post‑graduate study is a plus).
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation and industrial instruments, with hands‑on experience managing complex ER/IR matters.
• Proven experience conducting fair, thorough workplace investigations.
• Ability to coach and support leaders and HR colleagues with a calm, human‑centred, solution‑focused approach.
• Confidence representing the organisation in union discussions and industrial tribunals; enterprise bargaining experience is desirable.
• Skilled at keeping accurate records and producing clear ER reports; comfortable using HRIS, payroll and workflow systems.
• Data‑driven mindset—able to analyse workforce trends to identify risks and improve policies, toolkits and practices.
• Collaborative style and strong stakeholder engagement across HR, Legal, Child Safety, Risk and related teams.
• Commitment to Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing, and to child and youth safety practices.
• Able to meet pre‑employment checks: Police Check, Working with Children/Working With Vulnerable People, and NDIS Worker Screening.

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities 
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 
• Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our culture  

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.  

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email talentattraction@missionaustralia.com.au or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at Deadlycareers@missionaustralia.com.au  

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia. 

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you