Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales - History

History

Industrial courts first began in New South Wales in 1901 with the establishment of the Court of Arbitration (New South Wales) established pursuant to the Industrial Arbitration Act, 1901 (NSW). Industrial courts have undergone many changes since then depending on the flavour of government in office. In 1908, they were called the Industrial Court of New South Wales established under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1908 (NSW). In 1912, they were called the Court of Industrial Arbitration of New South Wales which was established pursuant to the Industrial Arbitration Act, 1912 (NSW). In 1926, the Industrial Arbitration (Amendment) Act, 1926 (NSW) abolished the Court of Industrial Arbitration and set up another Industrial Commission of New South Wales. In 1991, the Industrial Commission was replaced with the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales constituted under the Industrial Relations Act, 1991. In 1996, the 1991 Industrial Commission was replaced with the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales constituted under the Industrial Relations Act, 1996 (NSW). In 2009, the Commission's jurisdiction was significantly reduced by the Industrial Relations (Commonwealth Powers) Act, 2009 (NSW) which transferred jurisdiction for the entire private sector to Fair Work Australia, a Commonwealth Government body.