Advocacy in the Commission

The IRSQ Advocacy in the Commission Course returns in August 2026!

Having first been developed in the late 1990s, and run regularly since then, this course is a longstanding and popular IRSQ offering. It is a course we are proud to deliver to our members and other industrial relations practitioners who are looking to increase their knowledge and skills in the art of advocacy.

Overview

Two days of theory/content on Saturday, 15 and Sunday, 16 August 2026 and 1/2 day of moots (mock tribunal hearings) to be held in the Fair Work Commission and Queensland Industrial Relations Commission from noon Friday, 28 August 2026. Both venues are in Brisbane CBD.

The course is intentionally designed by IRSQ to be very practical, with presentations and workshops conducted by experienced industrial relations practitioners, tribunal members and barristers.

The course is aimed at practitioners who are involved in managing or giving advice on challenging employee disputes and litigation, and who may want more experience or a refresher in representation and advocacy.

Registrations are limited, and it is critical that course participants understand they must be available to attend both the theory and moot components.

Practitioners will be guided through the basics of good advocacy in both the State and Federal IR jurisdictions, and learn what it means to be a great advocate. 

The Moots (Mock tribunal hearings)

To complete this skills-focused program, participants are required to engage in ‘out of session’ group work to prepare for scenarios and advocate in a tribunal environment.

Contemplation and analysis of legislation, industrial instruments and relevant case law will be strongly recommended as part of the moot preparation.

Each group will also be afforded a mentor during the course, with whom, discussions and advice may be sought. At the moots, participants will have the opportunity to appear in an actual hearing room before a tribunal member to argue their party’s case, and tribunal members will offer feedback at the end.

Registration

Due to high demand for the Advocacy Course, registrations will open in the following order:

1. Those on the waitlist from 2024 or have expressed an interest since will have received an email to register from today (Tuesday, 26 May 2026);
2. Members of IRSQ, or who join up as a member as part of registering for the course (from Tuesday, 2 June 2026);
   • IRSQ Members $860 inc GST
   • Attend and join IRSQ $990 inc GST
3. Registrations for non-members ($1,200 inc GST) will open as of Tuesday, 9 June 2026 assuming spots are still available at that time.

The program cost includes all course materials, catering for the theory weekend, and post-course networking event.

More details about the course will be provided to participants ahead of course commencement.