Since early 2001, Michelle has held the position of Senior Industrial Officer with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the peak Australian union organisation which represents over two million members and their families. As a Senior Industrial Officer, Michelle contributes to the work of the ACTU in campaigning to improve workplace rights and social policy in Australia.

Michelle’s portfolio covers policy issues on matters including vocational education and training (VET), temporary skilled migration and industrial regulation. Michelle also plays an advocacy role on major industrial cases before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Among the many achievements and successful reforms Michelle has worked on in her role with the ACTU, she lists as her highlights the Modernisation of Awards, the 2004 Redundancy Case, and the Working Hours Case. She also has an active role in developing written submissions and appearing before federal parliamentary inquiries on matters as diverse as industrial relations, contractors, VET, and temporary skilled migration.

Before working with the ACTU, Michelle held a number of professional positions in the trade union movement since 1983. This followed a period of employment with the Community and Public Sector Union, where she was an Industrial Officer and an elected official.  

Michelle currently represents the ACTU on a number of boards and committees including the National Industry Skills Committee (NISC), the National Quality Council (NQC), the TVET Australia Board of Directors, and the Hornery Institute Skilling and Employment Advisory Committee.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Industrial & Employee Relations.