This is achieved by:

• Development of whole of Government wages policy framework.
• Industrial Relations policy development and interpretation.
• Industrial dispute management and resolution.
• Tribunal and Industrial Commission advocacy and other representational services in matters such as industrial disputes, enterprise bargaining and underpayment of wages and unfair dismissal applications.
• Monitoring of industrial relations performance.
• The identification of relevant workforce and related trends to guide future policy development.

An advisory and consultative service is also provided by the Branch on a broad range of industrial relations matters to the Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and Chief Executives of other Government departments and statutory authorities.

The Industrial Relations Branch’s role is derived from the Chief Executive of DPC being the “declared” employer of Public employees for industrial relations matters and Government’s expectation that the Branch undertake a policy development, monitoring and quality control function in respect of public sector industrial relations matters.

Regarding matters that fall under federal industrial relations legislation, the employer is Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the State of South Australia or any specifically named employer in relevant industrial instruments. However, officers of the Industrial Relations Branch also represents the employer in this jurisdiction.

The Industrial Relations Branch contributes to the maintenance of fair and appropriate remuneration structures and employment and workplace conditions for the public sector by playing a key role in developing and negotiating enterprise agreements for the public sector.

In consultation with key stakeholders, policies are developed and options on public sector wages and conditions of employment are recommended to Government. This ensures a consistent whole of Government approach to wages and conditions. The Industrial Relations Branch negotiates with unions over elements of enterprise bargaining on behalf of the Government, the Chief Executive of DPC and Chief Executives of other administrative units and statutory authorities.

In addition, the Industrial Relations Branch provides a secretarial service to the Remuneration Tribunal which determines the remuneration to members of the Judiciary, certain statutory officers and parliamentary members.