The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) is an industrial relations tribunal established under Queensland's Industrial Relations Act 2016 to arbitrate, mediate, and determine employment and industrial relations matters in that state. With Queensland's private sector referred to federal regulation by the Fair Work Act, the QIRC's main focus is on Queensland public sector state and local government employees.[2]
The Queensland Labor government of Wayne Goss introduced the Industrial Relations Act 1990 (QLD), amending the composition and duties of the ICAC and changing its name to the present-day Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC).[3]
In 2016, the Palaszczuk government repealed the earlier legislation and passed the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (QLD), noting its main purpose was to "provide for a framework for cooperative industrial relations that is fair and balanced and supports the delivery of high quality services, economic prosperity and social justice for Queenslanders."[4]
Jurisdiction and Functions
The QIRC mostly deals with industrial matters affecting state and local government employees, and a limited number of private sector workers who remain under the state system. Its major functions include:[5]
Hearing wage underpayment claims
Making, amending and interpreting modern awards for workers covered by the Queensland state system
The QIRC can also hear disputes involving state-registered industrial organisations and provides guidance on union registration, amalgamation, and internal governance.
Appeals against decisions of a single Commissioner may be made to the Full Bench while appeals against the Commission in such matters as errors of law or exercise of jurisdiction may be made to the Industrial Court of Queensland. Appeals against decisions of the Full Bench are heard in the Queensland Court of Appeal.[6]
Composition
There are currently 13 Members of the Commission. The Commission is headed by the President, who is also the President of the Industrial Court of Queensland. Justice Peter Davis was appointed to the dual role of president of the Industrial Court and president of the Commission in July 2020. He formerly served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland.[7] The Commission additionally includes the Vice President, two Deputy Presidents and nine Industrial Commissioners. At September 2025, the current members of the Commission are:[8]
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Queensland