Explore career options in employment relations
Here you can find information on the types of careers and employment roles an employment relations degree may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
The field of employment relations includes OHS, anti-discrimination and relevant employment laws, awards and collective and individual agreements, and when it is desirable and appropriate for an organization to use them. You learn about negotiating with collective groups (such as unions and staff associations) and with individuals.
You learn how labour markets function, so you can help organisations recruit and retain good workers, and so that you understand government policy in this area. You also will learn the key differences between the Australian system of employment regulation, and those of other countries. Over your studies you develop a clear understanding of how all these things fit.
Career fields
(* denotes further study at postgraduate level likely to be required)
- State, federal and local government
- Industrial relations organisations
- Employer associations
- Human resources services
- Employee advocacy roles
- Recruitment services
- Occupational health and safety
- Insurance companies
- Training organisations
- Change management consultancies
- Business advisory services
- Not-for-profit sector
- Career development industry*
Employment roles
- Employment relations consultant / adviser
- Employee relations adviser
- Employment relations graduate / coordinator
- Health and safety adviser
- Human resources administrator / adviser
- People support adviser
- Recruitment consultant
- People and culture administrator / officer
- Graduate health and safety professional
- Safety adviser
- Employment consultant
- Placement officer
- Training officer
- Case manager*
- Career coach*
(* denotes further study at postgraduate level likely to be required)
Occupation snapshot
Employed
88,800
Future growth
13.1%
Weekly earnings
$1,870
Part-time share
17%
This data is based on the occupation profile for human resource professionals, retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skills Australia website and the Seek Explore Careers website July 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- GradConnection
- Australian Public Service recruitment
- Brisbane City Council vacancies
- Hays Personnel Services
- Hudson Recruitment
- New South Wales Government jobs
- Queensland Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Seek employment relations vacancies for graduates
- Jobs in HR
- Adzuna employment relations vacancies
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. These associations hold regular professional development and networking events:
- Industrial Relations Society of Queensland
- Recruitment & Consulting Services Association
- Australian Labour an Employment Relations Association
- Australian Human Resources Institute
- Australian Federation of Employers and Industries
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The Program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and is committed to promoting decent work and economic growth, advancing the principles of responsible and sustainable consumption and production, and advocating for peace, justice, and resilient institutional frameworks.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.