Senior Industrial/Legal Officer, Industrial/Legal Officer and Industrial Advisor

About the AFAP

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots is a union and professional association representing over 6000 Australian pilots from all sectors of the Australian aviation industry, including Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Qantas, Qantaslink, Network, Regional Express and a broad range of commercial helicopter and fixed wing operations.

The Opportunity

Due to strong membership growth the AFAP is looking to establish a Sydney office (located between Central Station and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport) to complement our existing offices in Melbourne and Brisbane. Opportunities exist for up to three new industrial staff across the levels of Senior Industrial/Legal Officer, Industrial/Legal Officer and Industrial Advisor.

AFAP industrial staff are responsible for providing industrial relations advice to professional pilot members and officials from a range of operators in the Australian commercial aviation industry.

Salary range (negotiable depending on skills and experience):

• Industrial Advisor – $95,000 to $105,000 (plus superannuation)
• Industrial/Legal Officer – $110,000 to $143,000 (plus superannuation)
• Senior Industrial/Legal Officer – $150,000+ (plus superannuation)

Senior Industrial/Legal Officer & Industrial/Legal Officer

Duties include:

• Leading and supporting enterprise agreement negotiations.
• Providing practical industrial, legal and strategic advice to elected officials and members.
• Advocating on behalf of members to resolve individual and collective grievances.
• Identifying opportunities to recruit and organise.
• Conducting research on industrial and aviation related matters.
• Developing and delivering training programs for members.
• Organising and facilitating pilot meetings.
• Working with members of the AFAP’s Industrial Relations Team, including developing and mentoring junior staff.
• Liaising with industry stakeholders.

Key selection criteria and qualifications include:

• Tertiary qualifications, preferably in an IR or law related field.
• Experience in leading and/or supporting enterprise agreement negotiations.
• Strong advocacy skills preferably with experience appearing before tribunals, such as the Fair Work Commission.
• Strong knowledge and experience across employment and industrial relations matters, including awards, enterprise agreements, workplace rights, underpayments, disciplinary matters, redundancy, termination, occupational health and safety and workplace conflict.
• Highly developed skills in legal research, analytical, negotiation, advocacy and problem solving with the ability to interpret complex legislation and industrial instruments and provide clear, practical advice.

Industrial Advisor

Duties include:

• Providing practical industrial, legal and strategic advice to members and elected officials.
• Advocating on behalf of members to resolve individual and collective grievances.
• Identifying opportunities to recruit and organise.
• Conducting research on industrial and aviation related matters.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of training programs for members.
• Assisting with the organisation and facilitation of pilot meetings.
• Reporting to and work with members of the AFAP’s Industrial Relations Team.
• Liaising with industry stakeholders.

Key selection criteria and qualifications include:

• Tertiary qualifications, preferably in an IR or law related field.
• Knowledge across employment and industrial relations matters, including awards, enterprise agreements, workplace rights, underpayments, disciplinary matters, redundancy, termination, occupational health and safety and workplace conflict.
• Skills in legal research, analytical, negotiation, advocacy and problem solving with the ability to interpret complex legislation and industrial instruments and provide clear, practical advice.

Both the Industrial/Legal Officer and Senior Industrial/Legal Officer positions will involve regular travel throughout Australia.

How to Apply

Applications close COB Friday 20 November 2026. Please forward your resume and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria using the Apply button.

For further information about the AFAP visit www.afap.org.au.

For further details about the roles please contact AFAP Operations Manager Joanne Janes.