Philip Watson

Philip Watson is a Senior Industrial Relations Specialist, with over 20 years national experience as an IR Adviser & Advocate. Philip provides advice and representation to both larger companies and small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Philip specialises in strategically focussed business advice on all workplace relations matters, including:

  • The Fair Work Act 2009, Modern Awards and the National Employment Standards.

  • Negotiations with employee representatives.

  • Advocacy and representation in Fair Work Australia and other employee relations tribunals.

  • Terminations of employment.

  • Employee performance management.

  • Employment agreements and reward and remuneration systems.

  • 457 Visa sponsorships.

  • Organisational change management.

  • Continuous improvement of HRM systems and procedures.


    • In addition to specialist IR advice, Philip is an experienced Business Mentor. He has mentored SME owner/managers in strategic management, organisational planning & development and other key success factors for business growth. He recently mentored 20 SMEs in the Swan Valley, on behalf of the City of Swan and mentored on The Growth Program at Curtin University of Technology Business School. He was also involved with the Strategic Review of the BEC network in WA, on behalf of the State Government and has conducted briefing seminars for BankWest's SME customers.

    Philip is also an excellent Facilitator, Communicator and Lecturer. He lectured on the MBA program at the University of WA (UWA) Business School, in the Organisations in Their Environment and Social Ethical and Environmental Issues in Business units and regularly guest lectured on the Negotiation Behaviour unit. He Program Managed and Mentored on the Small Business Excellence Program (SBEP) in 2007 and taught the Human Resources Planning and Development component.

    Philip has held the following senior positions:

    • Director and Principal HRM Consultant - The General Management Consulting Group.

    • Manager WA - FCB Workplace Lawyers & Consultants.

    • Managing Director - Employee Relations Management Australia Pty Ltd.

    • Manager Industrial Relations - New South Wales Business Chamber.

    • Senior Industrial Advocate - Australian Industry Group.

    • Industrial Advocate - The New South Wales Business Chamber.

    • Industrial Officer - The New South Wales Business Chamber.

      • Philip has a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from UWA's Business School and a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Relations and Economics, also from UWA. He is an active member of the Graduate Management Association.

      Philip has advised some of Australia's largest companies including:
      Asteron, AAPT, AGL Agility, Alstom, The City of Swan, Chubb, CSIRO, Inghams, Kelly Services, Kellogg's Australia, Edgell Bird's Eye, Ferrero Australia, Darrell Lea Chocolate Shops, Sanitarium, The Wrigley Company, MM Cables, Pirelli Cables, Vinidex Tubemakers, 3M Australia, Huhtamaki (Polarcup), Harcros Chemicals, Akzo Nobel Chemicals, Sony Music, Festival Records, PET USA, EMI Australia, AC Nielsen Aust, Adecco, Arrix Integrated, Bristow Helicopters, Chandler MacLeod Group, Craig Mostyn Pty Limited, Discount Freight Express, Goodman Fielder, Huhtamaki, Pacific Terminals (Australia) and Ready Workforce.