Rights & Responsibilities

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Trade Unions

Trade unions have been part of the Australian industrial relations system since it was established over a century ago. As representative organisations they campaign on behalf of their members to achieve the best possible working conditions, and represent employees in disputes and negotiations. They also lobby government in relation to a variety of issues including taxation, superannuation, childcare, and social justice matters.

The peak union body is the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) which has offices in all states and territories throughout Australia.  The state body in New South Wales is Unions New South Wales.  

Which union to join?

A union can generally not represent you unless its rules allow it to cover the type of work you do. Which union you join may also depend on whether you are employed in the private or public sector. If there is a union that covers the work performed at your work place, your employer may be able to give you this information. You can also contact Unions New South Wales (02-9264 1691) to find out which union represents your industry or occupation.  Most major unions are affiliated with Unions New South Wales.

Some of the larger unions in Australia are:

• Australian Services Union
• Community and Public Sector Union
• Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers, Australia
• Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees Union
• Liquor, Hospitality & Miscellaneous Union
• Australian Manufacturing Workers Union

Once you become a member of a union you are bound by its rules and are obliged to pay membership fees. You will be required to give notice if you intend to resign from the union for any reason, for example, if you are no longer working in that industry.

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What benefits are there in joining a union?

Unions can represent their members in a number of areas, such as:

• Negotiating the terms and conditions of awards and enterprise agreements or individual agreements with employers;
• Investigating suspected breaches of your award or underpayment of wages;
• Health and safety and workers compensation issues;
• Unfair dismissals;
• Redundancies;
• Sexual harassment and discrimination claims;
• Superannuation;
• Industrial disputes.

These matters often involve dealing with organisations such as industry bodies, employer associations or the government.  A union many also represent you in the Industrial Relations Commission, Equal Opportunity Commission, or the courts.

In addition to their industrial role, unions will often also provide other benefits for their members that may include discounts on various goods and services, and access to legal and financial advice. The benefits provided will vary from union to union.

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Do I have to join a union?

You do not have to join a union. Federal laws make it illegal to coerce anyone to join a union or to deter them from joining a union. It is also illegal to discriminate against a person for choosing to join or not to join a union, or to dismiss them for union membership or non-membership.

Further information

If you are already a member of a union, you can contact them if you have any further queries. There may also be an employee in your workplace who has been elected as a union delegate (sometimes called a shop steward) who can contact the union on your behalf. If you are seeking further information, or if you want to join a union contact:

Unions New South Wales
(02) 9264 1691