The Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, today announced the appointment of Bronwyn Byrnes as a Commissioner of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW.
Ms Byrnes has had a distinguished career in the law, working as a solicitor in the United Kingdom where she completed a Master of Laws at Cambridge University, and as a policy advisor for Amnesty International. She returned to Australia to work for the Australian Human Rights Commission in the legal department. She was called to the Bar in 2017 and, as a barrister, has specialised in industrial relations, employment, and discrimination law.
Ms Byrnes has significant experience in the Commission acting for and advising public sector agencies including the Department of Education and NSW Health, on complex matters regarding claims of gender-based undervaluation in their workforces. Ms Byrnes has also appeared for individuals and organisations in various other courts and tribunals including the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, the NSW Supreme Court, and Supreme Court of Tasmania. Ms Byrnes also co-authored the highly regarded sixth edition of Discrimination Law and Practice with Chris Ronalds AO SC, and has previously lectured in employment law at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Ms Byrnes will be formally sworn in as a Commissioner by the President privately in chambers on Monday, 19 October 2026. A public ceremonial welcome for Ms Byrnes will be held at 9am on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 in Court 4.1, 47 Bridge Street, Sydney.
Acting President of the Industrial Relations Commission, the Hon. Justice Jane Paingakulam, welcomed the appointment, stating: “Ms Byrnes has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best employment law barristers in NSW. To gain someone with expertise in discrimination law is very welcome. Her appointment will significantly bolster the Commission’s ability to resolve complex disputes and individual claims. I am confident she will make a significant contribution to the industrial relations landscape in NSW.”
Click here to read the Minister’s official media release.
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