Industrial Relations Act 2016

A member, an officer of the commission or another person with a member’s written authority (a commission official), may—

enter a workplace in relation to which—

an industrial dispute exists, is impending or threatened, or is likely to arise; or

an industrial matter exists; or

an industrial instrument or permit exists; or

a member of the commission reasonably suspects an offence against this Act has been, or is being, committed; and

inspect any work, machinery, appliance, materials, article or thing in or on the workplace; and

question a person in or on the workplace about a matter relevant to the commission’s concern with the workplace.

A power under subsection (1) may be exercised only during working hours at the workplace.

If a commission official is seeking to exercise a power under subsection (1), a person must not—

refuse or unduly delay the official’s entry to the workplace; or

fail to answer a question as required under subsection (1)(c), unless the person has a lawful excuse; or

wilfully give false information or make a false statement to the official.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment.

In this section—

workplace means a place where—

a calling is carried on; or

work has been, or is being, performed; or

another activity has happened, or is happening.