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Unions
Last updated April 2025
This chapter explains your legal rights and obligations when dealing with unions.
What is a union?
Definition: Union
A union is either:
- an employee organisation that is registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth) (FWRO Act); or
- an association of employees or independent contractors that is registered under a state or territory industrial law.
A union is either:
- an employee organisation that is registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth) (FWRO Act); or
- an association of employees or independent contractors that is registered under a state or territory industrial law.
Most unions in Australia are registered under the FWRO Act. However, some unions operating in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania are registered under legislation operating in those states.
Important: This chapter covers unions that are registered under the FWRO Act.
Tip: Click here to view the Fair Work Commission's list of organisations registered under the FWRO Act.
Union registration
Registration under the FWRO Act or state legislation makes the union a separate legal entity from its members, like a company, and allows unions to participate in the statutory framework regulating industrial relations.