Mick Sheils OAM

Mick Sheils is one of Australia’s leading industrial relations practitioners. He is an industrial relations advisor and accredited mediator in the firm’s employment and industrial relations group. A former long-serving New South Wales Industrial Relations Commissioner, Mick has had a wealth of Australia-wide experience in industrial relations in the private and public sectors.

During his time as Commissioner and since he concluded his term, he is well regarded by employers and unions for his ability to enable disputing parties to reach an amicable settlement in very difficult matters.

Following his time at the Commission, Mick was appointed General Manager, Industrial Relations of Transfield where he was responsible for handling industrial relations for some of the company’s most high profile activities, such as the Walsh Bay redevelopment, Melbourne City Link, Airport Link in Sydney, the Northside Storage Tunnel and the Brisbane Airport Rail Link.

Mick is also a skilled mediator and has dealt with many sensitive matters in the private sector, not-for-profit organisations and government agencies.

On Australia Day 2012, Mick was awarded The Medal of the Order of Australia, for his contribution to industrial relations.

Mick has worked in the not-for-profit sector on a range of employment and industrial relations matters, including the Marist Brothers facility, Boys Town and Centacare.

“My practical experience, as an industrial relations commissioner and general manager in a major firm, has been welcomed by Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers because the firm knows that clients need more than technical legal advice.”

Key Professional Achievements

• In 1986 Mick was appointed Commissioner of the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission. During his time as Commissioner, from 1986 to 1997 he was responsible for the electricians’ and engineers’ awards; administrative and clerical occupations; electricity supply industry; police and public sector employment.
• Mick also had responsibility for the bread industry during its difficult period of deregulation.
• Following his time at the Commission, Mick was appointed General Manager, Industrial Relations of Transfield, reporting directly to the Managing Director.
• Honorary Director since 1997 of the Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC).
• Chairman of HVTC Human Resources and Work Health and Safety Committee.