Industrial Relations Commission Protocols update

24 February 2022

Virtual Courtroom (“VCR”) or in-person hearings?

Commission members will list matters by VCR or in-person at their discretion. If parties consider that there are significant reasons in support of the matter being listed by different means, the parties should confer and then jointly write to the Registrar setting out the reasons. The decision as to whether to proceed with VCR or an in-person hearing will be made by the presiding Commissioner.

Vaccination status

All persons attending, as a party, representative, witness, or in any other capacity, any proceedings before the Commission (including conciliations, directions hearings or arbitrations) or to inspect files must be fully vaccinated.  Evidence of vaccination is a condition of entry to the Commission for these purposes.

Limitation on the number of persons at the Commission

Density limits are no longer be in place at the Commission.  However, as there is limited seating in the Hearing Rooms and there is limited space available for parties to confer outside of the Hearing Rooms, only persons necessary for the arbitration or conciliation to take place should attend the Commission on the day/s of the hearing.

QR Codes

There is no requirement to check-in at the Commission using a QR code.

Masks

From Friday, 25 February 2022, the wearing of masks in the Hearing Rooms will be at the discretion of the presiding Commissioner.  There will be no general requirement to wear masks in the Commission precinct.

Review

These protocols may change at short notice due to further COVID-19 rules announced by the NSW Government or further risk assessments completed by the Commission.

N J Constant
Chief Commissioner