Governance
We are a union proudly led by members who are shaping the future of Australian manufacturing.
The direction of the union is guided by our members, and democratically decided on at the AMWU National Conference — the peak decision-making body of the union, where members from across the country come together to set policy, guide priorities, and shape the rules that govern the organisation. As a member-led union, it is made up of manufacturing workers themselves, driving the decisions that shape their industries.
Meeting every two years, it brings together rank-and-file delegates, elected leaders, and members of the National Council. Issues raised from across the union ensure decisions are driven by members and focused on strengthening workplaces and building generational power for the future.
Our elected leaders
Our officials are elected directly by members every four years. They work with members to ensure manufacturing workers get a fair go, a real say, a secure job, and a rightful share of what they create.
Rules, Policies
and Elections
The AMWU is a member-based organisation and we work hard to make sure that members funds are managed carefully and effectively in their interest.
In addition to matters noted in our annual return, financial statements and rules, the AMWU has a number of policies, procedures and structures to ensure membership dues are accounted for in an open and transparent manner.
Latest union financial reports
The AMWU is proud to be an open and transparent union. In accordance with our rules, we publicly issue a statement of our financial accounts each year. This statement is for the year ending 30 September 2025 and has been independently audited.
Latest news and media
AMWU submission to Senate Reference Committee on Rail Industry 2017 AMWU submission to the Australian Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Reference Committee Inquiry into the Rail Industry 2017 ‘A major opportunity for jobs and economic growth: national microeconomic reform of the Australian public transport rail manufacturing sector’ February 2017 1 AMWU submission to Senate […]
Dear Dr Finkel, Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission to the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market (the Review).The AMWU represents workers in the energy sector, as well as manufacturing workers whose jobs rely on the […]
Inquiry into the Retirement of coal fired power stations The need for a just transition The AMWU has a proud history of advocating for a just transition for workers affected by structural adjustments in our economy. Our 2008 Just Transition policy paper (Attachment A) contains many prescriptions which are still relevant today. We also recently […]
The AMWU’s submission into the Senate Inquiry into the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 and Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013.Read the full submission HERE. Share on
Inquiry into the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019 The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. The workers that we represent, including the hundreds of rank and file members who serve on our national, state and industry […]
Select Committee on the effectiveness of the Australian Government’s Northern Australia agenda The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain. Many of our members live and work in Northern Australia and have felt the impact of the governments ineffective policy to deliver jobs and economic growth in their communities. […]
Submission to the JobMaker Hiring Credit Inquiry AMWU Recommendations Recommendation 1: That the Program be amended to ensure that employers are not punished for offering eligible workers full-time hours. Recommendation 2: That the Program be amended to reward employers that offer full-time or part-time employment, over casual or contract employment. Recommendation 3: That the Program […]
Unlawful underpayment of employees’ remuneration The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. Many of the workers that we represent have experienced wage theft. Further, the wages and conditions of AMWU members who work for businesses that do properly pay their […]
Submission – Inquiry into Fair Work Laws Amendment (Proper Use of Worker Benefits) Bill 2019 The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. Many of the workers that we represent are covered by EBAs that include contributions to Worker Entitlement Funds […]
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. Our members have been working hard around the country to provide the Australian made goods and services that we need, know and trust in times of crisis. Our members are proud of their […]
Inquiry into the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain. Our members work in trade exposed industries around the country and they have felt the impact of trade deals that have sent entire industries and thousands […]
Senate Inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Research and Development Tax Incentive) Bill 2019 The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. The workers we represent are employed by companies that engaged in Research and Development (R&D) to improve their products […]
To the Secretary, Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in cities, suburbs and regions across Australia. Our members rely on the industrial relations system to defend and deliver improvements to their wages and conditions through […]
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the Inquiry into the Commonwealth Procurement Framework (the Framework). The AMWU supports and endorses the submission of the ACTU. The AMWU made a submission to an Inquiry into Commonwealth Procurement Procedures in December 2013. Sadly, most of the arguments raised in that submission are still […]
The AMWU has written in support of the ACTU Submissions to the Fair Work Amendments: Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017 Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Reviews and Other Measures) Bill 2017 Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting Benefits) Bill 2017 Share on
To the Secretary, Inquiry into the Framework Agreement for the Future Submarine Program Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the Framework Agreement for the Future Submarine Program (the Agreement). As the union that represents naval shipbuilding workers, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union has a keen interest in all aspects of the […]
Inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Illegal Phoenixing) Bill 2019 The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. We represent workers who have been affected by phoenixing and have a proud history of advocating for reform in this area.I refer […]
Inquiry into Aspects of the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement revisited The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain. Our members work in trade exposed industries around the country and they have felt the impact of trade deals that have sent entire industries and thousands of Australian jobs overseas. We […]
Inquiry on the impact of technological and other change on the future of work and workers in Australia The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. We represent workers employed in manufacturing, engineering, printing and graphic design – industries at the […]
Inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No.1) Bill 2017, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No.2) Bill 2017 and the Superannuation Laws Amendment (Strengthening Trustee Arrangements) Bill 2017 Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission about these important matters. […]
Senate Inquiry into the framework surrounding the prevention, investigation and prosecution of industrial deaths in Australia The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain across Australia. Safety is union business and the AMWU have a long and proud history of fighting for safer workplaces for all Australian workers. […]
Without addressing the issue of wage theft – which includes, but goes well beyond the “sharp practices” outlined in the consultation paper – the government will be unable to avoid circumstances where employees are owed money by companies that have gone into insolvency.Read the full submission HERE. Share on
Senate inquiry into the use and manufacture of electric vehicles in Australia The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) represents over 70,000 workers who create, make and maintain in every city and region across Australia. We represent workers employed in the vehicle manufacturing industry. The development of the market for electric vehicles (EVs), in the global […]
In the AMWU NSW Local Jobs First Submission, we’re advocating for an increase in the use of local content in government procurement, improving labour rights in jobs created from public sector procurement and expanding the role of the Local Jobs First Commission. Click here Share on
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry: Government Support for Australian Defence Industry Exports.The AMWU’s submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into Government Support for Australian Defence Industry Exports. Read more. Share on
The AMWU’s submission into the Senate Inquiry into the Future of Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Industry (Part 1: Procurement Processes to replace Australia’s Supply Vessels)Read the full submission HERE. Share on
Thank you for providing the opportunity for us to make a submission on behalf of our more than 70,000 members who create and make manufactured goods in Australia. Government procurement, when done correctly, provides a significant boost to local businesses and industries. It supports jobs, innovation and growth – particularly for small and medium businesses […]
At present, the Australian manufacturing sector is battered but resilient. Despite decades of policy negligence —and, at times, deliberate governmental sabotage — manufacturing remains a major employer in this country. But that neglect has left Australia as one of the world’s least self-sufficient industrialised nations when it comes to manufactured goods.In their own words, the […]
NSW & ACT End of Financial Year Our people Media Releases Retired Members NSW Apprentices View the report (pdf) The report findings This report is based on nearly 850 responses to a survey of AMWU NSW members. The results show that there is no consistency when it comes to ensuring safe workplaces for essential workers. While […]
We need the government to use its powers of procurement to invest in Australian jobs and industries and rebuild our domestic supply chains. Most of all, we need a government with the vision and commitment to make that happen. This paper is designed to give you the opportunity to see the manufacturing sector through workers’ […]
AMWU members took their determination to save workers’ compensation to Canberra this week, urging Senators from all states not to undermine payments and protections for those injured.Kahn Goodluck, a boilermaker on the Curtis Island gas projects in Queensland, joined delegates from Victoria, NSW, ACT and SA trying to convince the politicians to vote down draconian […]
A refusal to compromise on safety is at the heart of an overwhelming rejection by AMWU members of a proposed new enterprise deal at Esso’s gas and oil facilities that supply Victoria. About 150 AMWU members voted down the Esso proposal this month brought on by the company, after nearly 12 months of fruitless negotiations […]
The AMWU is stepping up pressure on the NSW Baird Government to award new infrastructure work to help sustain Forgacs after the firm announced a further 150 job cuts due to being frozen out of shipbuilding contracts.The announcement that the jobs will go next month came the day of the Baird Government Budget, with Forgacs […]
The burden of taking on extra HECS-style debt to pay for tools when wages are already low is a major reason many apprentices are thinking of dropping out, a new AMWU survey reveals.An alarming 77 per cent of apprentices surveyed identified the cost of tools as a key issue. This comes just one year after […]
You can show your solidarity with 55 Carlton and United Breweries (CUB) electricians and fitters who were sacked in a pre-meditated vicious attack on terms and conditions in the following ways: Visit the peaceful protest at the CUB Abbotsford site. Click here for a map of the location. Make a donation to support the sacked workers. […]
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has told a delegation of car industry workers that they won’t be forgotten, as Holden’s Elizabeth plant winds down to closure later this year.A group of AMWU shop stewards from Holden and the supply chain were invited to Parliament House in Adelaide to meet with Premier Weatherill and other SA […]
The launch of the recently formed group the ‘Parliamentary Friends of Australian Books and Writers’ was held at Parliament House in Canberra last week. Distinguished guests included popular Australian authors and political heavyweights from both sides, including Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Shadow Foreign Minister Tania Plibersek, and Government MPs Kevin Andrews and Tony Abbott all […]
A win over payment of a tool allowance turned out to be the catalyst for another win on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for UGL boilermaker/welders at Alcoa alumina refineries in Western Australia.UGL is the maintenance contractor at Alcoa’s three Western Australian alumina refineries at Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup. The members are entitled to a tool […]
Workers at the OI glass plant in Brisbane have an important message for their colleagues around the country: when it comes to negotiating your pay and conditions, make sure you have a crack.After a long fight, workers at OI in Brisbane recently voted unanimously to accept a new Enterprise Agreement, locking in important site conditions. […]
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) is concerned that the Turnbull Government’s latest Trans Pacific trade deal will sacrifice Australian sovereignty, bringing us closer to having the status of a ‘Third-world economy’. “No-one except the Government knows the detail of this latest version of the TPP and already Malcolm Turnbull is trying to pressure Labor […]
This post is sponsored by Cbus. Close the gender super gap Cbus has gotten behind a campaign that looks to close the gender gap in retirement incomes for women. It is not widely known that women, on average currently retire with 47% less super than men and that a third of single women retire in […]
Union Members at Simplot in Northern Tasmania are calling on the company to ensure that jobs at Simplot are secure and permanent – and not changed to casual positions.In addition, workers are calling for existing casuals to have more rights at work than they currently have. Workers and their union, The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union […]
Minister Pyne and the Turnbull Government have betrayed shipbuilders by not standing by their commitment to transition jobs of South Australian shipbuilders to future projects. The Minister has reneged by not consulting with workers and their representatives, as the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) has just announced 197 jobs cuts. The union understands the bulk of […]
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) has strongly welcomed news that GFC Alliance boss Mr Sanjeev Gupta is considering investing in an electric car plant at the Holden site in Elizabeth, South Australia. “Any investment in manufacturing is welcome and electric cars are the future,” said AMWU State Secretary John Camillo. “We have highly skilled, […]
Today in Sydney and Melbourne Australia, hundreds of unionists joined the ITCU International day of action rallied in support of jailed Korean trade union leader Han Sang-gyun.Han is the former president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU and is still serving a three-year sentence in Hwasung Correction Centre. Mr Han lead the trade union against […]
Australia’s richest individuals recently gathered for the KPMG Couta Boat Classic in Victoria. The event has become an annual litmus test for what leading CEOs are prioritising for the following year. Last year’s classic was headlined by JB Hi-Fi CEO, Richard Murray, stating that the abolition of weekend penalty rates would be a priority for corporate Australia in […]
A push to re-invigorate TAFE as the main teacher for the nation’s apprentices has been welcomed by the AMWU as an urgently needed reform.Federal Labor this week outlined a policy of guaranteed funding this TAFE Week would be a good start to restoring teaching numbers and facilities lost to in recent years from drastic cost-cutting and […]
Chinese workers applying for work as motor mechanics and in other auto trades in Australia will no longer have to undergo local skill tests under the new China Free Trade Agreement, it has been revealed.The Abbott Government has secretly agreed to remove mandatory skills assessments to make it easier for Chinese workers to gain 457 […]
Dismayed workers at a major wind tower maker have hit out at PM Tony Abbott’s latest attack on renewable energy for jeopardising local jobs as the industry gets back on its feet.Tower fabrication workers at Keppel Prince in Victoria fear that Mr Abbott’s hatred of wind farms risks scaring off billions of dollars in energy […]
Union members working on mega-projects at Sydney’s Barangaroo and Darling Harbour are poised to take protected industrial action after employers strung out talks on a new contractors’ agreement for months.The AMWU sheet metal workers could bring construction sites across greater Sydney to a near-standstill, including the $6 billion Barangaroo Point precinct plus the new Exhibition […]
AMWU members Aaron Sawka and Brian Turner know first hand just how much Labor’s promised funding boost to TAFE is needed by apprentices.They were at work at ACTION buses in Canberra last week when Labor leader Bill Shorten turned up to announce the funding guarantee, welcomed by our union. Brian and Aaron are typical of […]
