Help and Support

Your Rights / Help and Support

You’re Never Alone when you’re a union member

Work can be confusing, especially when you’re just starting out.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it out by yourself. When you join your union, you have access to expert info, support, advice and even representation, if you need it.

Why Join Your Union

Union members earn more. Research shows that workers who are union members take home $251 more per week than non-members. No matter your age, job, or how you’re employed, union membership is a real pathway to better pay and stronger rights at work. Plus, membership fees are tax deductible!

You get real support when things go wrong. Being a union member means you have access to expert advice and legal representation if you face problems at work. You’re covered big time if you need help with pay disputes or wage theft, unfair treatment or dismissal, safety issues, bullying or harassment or anything else.

We fight for everyone’s future. Union members before us won heaps the rights we take for granted today: the weekend, penalty rates, annual leave, sick leave, superannuation, even Medicare. We’re still fighting for fair pay, job security, and safer workplaces. When you join, you’re part of that movement.

Your Union Delegate

Delegates are your workplace champions. A union delegate (also called a shop steward or union rep) is a fellow worker who represents union members in your workplace. They’re trained to help with workplace issues, answer questions about your rights, and support you when you need to speak with management.

What delegates do:

• Provide confidential advice and support to union members
• Help resolve workplace problems
• Represent members in meetings with management
• Keep you informed about your rights and workplace changes
• Negotiate better pay and conditions
• Speak up about safety issues

Delegates have legal protections. New laws recognize the critical work delegates do. Your employer must deal with delegates in good faith, can’t mislead them, and can’t stop them from doing their job. Delegates get paid time for training and representing members.

Find your delegate. If you’re a union member, ask your union who your workplace delegate is. If your workplace doesn’t have one, you could become one yourself. Unions provide full training and support.

Getting Support

Contact your union anytime. Union members can get free, confidential advice about any workplace issue. Whether you have a question about your pay, need help with a problem, or just want to know your rights, your union is there to help.

Not sure which union covers you? There’s a union for every industry and occupation. Finding yours takes just a few minutes online, and joining is quick and confidential.

The Australian Unions Support Centre can help. If you’re not sure where to start, the Support Centre can:

• Help you find the right union for your job
• Provide general information about your rights
• Direct you to the right resources
• Answer your questions confidentially

All enquiries are 100% confidential – your employer will never know you contacted them.

Making Your Workplace Better

You have the power to create change. When workers join together through their union, they have collective power to negotiate better conditions. This means:

• Higher pay through enterprise agreements
• Better rosters and work-life balance
• Improved safety standards
• Fair treatment and respect

Speak up about problems. If you see issues at your workplace – whether it’s safety hazards, unfair treatment, or wage theft – your union can help you address them. Union workplaces are safer and fairer because workers have a voice.

Get involved. Union membership isn’t just about getting help when you need it. It’s about being part of something bigger. You can:

• Attend union meetings
• Vote on workplace agreements
• Join campaigns for better conditions
• Become a delegate and support your coworkers
• Help build a fairer future for all workers

Together, we’re stronger. Almost two million Australian workers are union members. When we stand together, we can win real change – better wages, safer workplaces, and the conditions we deserve.

Quick Tips

💪 JOIN BEFORE YOU NEED HELP
The best time to join your union is before problems arise. Members get access to advice, support, and representation.

🤝 YOUR CONVERSATIONS ARE PRIVATE
Anything you discuss with your union or delegate stays private. You can ask questions and get advice without your employer knowing.

📞 SUPPORT IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE
Whether it’s a question about your payslip or a serious workplace issue, your union is here to help. Don’t wait until a problem gets worse: reach out early.

✊ YOU’RE PART OF A MOVEMENT
Union members don’t just get individual support – you’re joining the fight for better rights for all workers. Together, we’ve won major victories and we’re not stopping.