Government Agency entry Industrial Relations Court of Australia (1993 - )

Summary

The Industrial Relations Court of Australia [IRCA] operated as a superior court of law and equity, established by the Australian Parliament under the Industrial Relations Reform Act 1993 which amended the Industrial Relations Act 1988. It was equal in status to other national superior courts, such as the Federal Court of Australia and the Family Court of Australia. It consists of a Chief Justice and as many other Judges as hold office under the Industrial Relations Act 1988.

The Court exercised the previous industrial relations jurisdiction of the Federal Court; including interpretation and enforcement of awards and certified agreements, various matters relating to registered organisations and reference of questions of law from AIRC/Registrars, etc. Proceedings that were pending but not yet heard in the Industrial Division of the Federal Court were automatically transferred to the new Court. The Court had original jurisdiction for applications made, actions brought or prosecutions under the Reform Act as well as (limited) appeals from State and Territory Courts.

As a consequence of the Workplace Relations and other Legislation Amendment Act 1996, the Court's jurisdiction has been transferred to other Courts, mainly the Federal Court of Australia. On 25 May 1997 the staff and resources of the Industrial Relations Court of Australia were transferred to the Federal Court of Australia.

Despite the transfer of jurisdiction, the Industrial Relations Court of Australia continues to exist at law until the last of its judges resigns or retires from office.

Related entries

Timeline

 1904 - 1956 Commonwealth Court of Conciliation & Arbitration
       1956 - 1977 Commonwealth Industrial Court
             1977 - 1993 Industrial Division of the Federal Court
                   1993 - Industrial Relations Court of Australia