About the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
What is the ACTU?
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is the peak national body for Australian unions, made up of over 30 affiliated unions who together represent almost two million workers.
The ACTU has four elected officers, and an elected Executive of representatives from affiliates and state and territory trades and labour councils. The decision-making body, ACTU Congress, meets every three years.
The ACTU head office is in Melbourne, with smaller offices in other state capitals.
What does the ACTU do?
Since its creation in 1927, the ACTU has spearheaded some of the most fundamental workplace and social struggles in Australia’s history.
The ACTU’s role is to:
- coordinate union movement campaigns
- organise working people to win big, important and permanent improvements to work, workplaces and broader society
- represent the collective voice of workers at a range of government and non-government forums in Australia and overseas
- provide industrial, policy, campaign and other support to affiliates
- encourage workers to join their union
What has the ACTU won?
The workplace improvements are many: decades of wage increases through the award system and campaigns in the field, safer workplaces, greater equality for women, improvements in working hours, entitlements to paid holidays and better employment conditions, the establishment of a universal superannuation system, paid parental leave and paid family and domestic violence leave.
The ACTU has played a role in all of these achievements. Every worker in Australia has benefited from the victories of the union movement.
The ACTU has contributed to fairness and justice in the entire community as well – contributing to Australia’s major social institutions, including progressive taxation, the social security system, universal Medicare, fairer migration, decent education – just to name a few.
How does the ACTU drive change?
The ACTU doesn’t just talk about change. We makes it happen, through a shared vision and strength in numbers.
If you believe that you can take action to make your work and society better, join us by becoming a member of your union.
If you would like to know more about the Australian Council of Trade Unions please visit actu.org.au.
Are you already a union member?
Reach out to your union for more specific information about how you and your workmates can make the most of your rights at work.
Not yet a member?
Joining your union is the most powerful decision you can make to protect your rights at work.