ALERA 2026 Discrimination Webinar Series - “Why systemic reform is needed and what employers can do at the workplace level to improve accessibility and inclusion” (26 Nov 2026)

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association (ALERA), together with our State and Territory societies, is pleased to present the final of four National professional development masterclasses on Discrimination.

“Why systemic reform is needed and what employers can do at the workplace level to improve accessibility and inclusion”

Sarah McLeod and Nikita Barsby of Modern Legal will explore accessibility and inclusion at work, with a focus on neurodiversity and women’s health. Sarah and Nikita will discuss how this can look in practice, including through job design, communication norms, sensory considerations, and supports for women's health.

Mark Cox of MDC Legal will explore the misalignment of addressing systemic discrimination in employment through the current individual-led and complaints-based models of enforcing anti-discrimination legislation, and “do no harm” principles that should be considered when carrying out investigations and management actions.

The webinar will be moderated by Eunice Ong, Senior Legal Officer at the Australian Workers’ Union and Vice President of IRSWA.

This webinar will feature a live Q&A, giving members the chance to engage directly with leading experts in industrial relations.

When: Thursday 26 November 2026

Where: Zoom Online Webinar

⏰ Time: 4m – 5pm AEDT

Cost: Complimentary for all IRS members nationally

Cost: Non-members $40.00

Secure your spot today!

Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference, AGM & Patron's Dinner (2 Dec 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference, AGM & Patron’s Dinner

Wednesday, 2 December 2026

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria is pleased to announce its inaugural Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference.

Conference program

Sessions include:

Mapping Interests, Not Positions: advanced bargaining strategy through real-world scenarios and Q&A
What Are Courts and Tribunals Doing About AI?
Inside the Room: the skills of conciliation, persuasion and resolution
From Instructions to Argument: how an industrial case is built
No Single Way In: building a career in industrial relations
The Long Career: choices, turning points and professional courage
A 2026 industrial relations round-up.

The program brings together perspectives from across the profession, including the bench, Bar, legal practice, unions and academia, with speakers currently confirmed including:

Judge Johns
Judge Bromberg
Josh Bornstein
Professor Anthony Forsyth
Natalie James
Herman Borenstein KC
Tess Hardy
Jack Tracey KC.

More speakers and full program to be announced!

Patron's Dinner

The evening continues with pre-dinner drinks and the Patron’s Dinner, featuring a keynote address from Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC reflecting on a lifetime of industrial relations and the future of the profession. 

Annual General Meeting

We will also be hosting our Annual General Meeting in between the Conference and the Dinner.

Please see the Notice of 2026 AGM and Nomination Form.docx for further information or to get involved with the IRSV.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, 2 December 2026  

Venue: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins  

Time:

12.00pm: Conference registrations and networking

1.00pm: Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference commences

5.00pm: Annual General Meeting

6.00pm: Pre-drinks and Patron's Dinner

Ticket information

We are offering IRSV members rates for the conference and dinner which reflect excellent value for money:

IRSV members for the Conference and Dinner: $400
IRSV members for Conference only: $300
IRSV members for Dinner only: $180

The cost for non-IRSV members is:

Conference and Dinner: $520
Conference only: $420
Dinner only: $300

We will also have options to ‘sponsor’ another ticket to ensure that all community legal centres, small firms and unions who won’t otherwise be able to attend can share the experience.

If you work in industrial relations, this is a rare chance to spend an afternoon learning from people across the profession, sharpen the practical skills you use in your own work, meet colleagues outside your usual circles, and then continue those conversations over dinner.

Industrial Relations Society Victoria upcoming events

ALERA 2026 Discrimination Webinar Series - “Why systemic reform is needed and what employers can do at the workplace level to improve accessibility and inclusion” (26 Nov 2026)

Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference, AGM & Patron's Dinner (2 Dec 2026)

Connecting Careers, Skills and Practice Conference, AGM & Patron’s Dinner