Our Organisation

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) is the nation’s oldest trade union, representing approximately 70,000 working Australians. We are also Australia's most diverse union, representing workers across industries including manufacturing, steel, aluminium, glass, oil and gas, aviation, agriculture, construction, state public services, local government, health, food, resources, events and aquaculture.

Getting the best outcome for our members is at the heart of what we do.

We are currently looking for a permanent paralegal to join our New South Wales Branch legal team.

The Branch legal team protects the interests of the AWU and its members through advocacy in the Fair Work Commission, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, the Chief Industrial Magistrates’ Court and the Federal Court. We review enterprise agreements for compliance with minimum standards, recover underpayments for workers, dispute unfair dismissals and other unjust employer conduct and contest approvals of non-compliant enterprise agreements in our industries. We provide advice to AWU officials, delegates and members and contribute to the AWU’s responses to Parliamentary and government inquiries into industrial issues.

Your Remuneration and Conditions

The Branch legal team is located at the AWU’s office in Granville NSW, the headquarters of both our New South Wales Branch and National Office.

This position will be offered on either a full-time basis or on a part-time basis. A competitive salary will be offered, based on skills and experience.

Key Role Responsibilities

The paralegal is responsible for providing efficient paralegal and administrative support to the Branch’s Legal Officers, including:

• Preparing documents for conferences and hearings, drafting correspondence, preparing tribunal application documents, completing compliance forms and general office administration tasks;
• Reviewing enterprise agreements for compliance and assisting the Branch’s Organisers with enterprise bargaining;
• Performing regular administrative duties associated with managing the union’s industrial practice; and
• Development of educational materials for members and officials.

Selection Criteria (Essential)

1. Demonstrated commitment to union values;
2. Preparedness to acquire new administrative and industrial skills;
3. Ability to work semi-autonomously and to demonstrate initiative;
4. Ability to interpret regulations, legislation, awards, enterprise agreements, common law contracts and translate them into plain English;
5. Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, with a strong attention to detail;
6. Comfortable and adept at working in a team environment.

Selection Criteria (Desirable)

1. Familiarity with key AWU industries;
2. Prior experience in a union legal/industrial team.