Our impact

1

Better pay and conditions than non-union members

Did you know that union members earn 26% more than non-union workers? They have more secure jobs and better entitlements like paid leave. Union members work together to improve their pay and conditions through collective bargaining.

2

Your workplace is safer

You’re less likely to suffer injury or illness working in a union workplace, but we can also help you access support if you are injured. Safety is union business.

3

You know your rights

Union members are educated on their rights. It’s easier to get what you’re entitled to when you know what your rights are.

4

You’ll never stand alone

AMWU members work in a range of industries, in cities and towns across the country – from Darwin to Hobart, the Pilbara to Geelong. We work in factories, in the offshore, in food processing, and in printing and graphic design. We’re mechanics and boilermakers, supervisors and technicians. Together, we stand up for a fair go at work and in our community, so you’re never alone at work.

5

Access to free, confidential advice and legal help

Trained industrial and legal professionals are there to support you when you need it.

6

Training and Recognition of Your Skills

Underpayment of workers through misclassification is one of the most under-recognised forms of wage theft in Australia. We’ve always fought to upskill workers and ensure their skills are recognised and rewarded. And we’ll help you get access to the training you need to progress your career.

7

Support for you and your family

The union provides a confidential counselling and support line for members and their families, because we know that sometimes you need a little help with what’s going on at home or at work.

8

Journey Accident Insurance – Free with membership

Your union membership gives you free coverage in case you’re hurt or injured whilst travelling to and from work.

9

Emergency Transport and Funeral Benefits – Free with membership

Your union membership gives you Emergency Transport Benefits and Funeral Benefits, just in case the worst happens.

10

It’s great value

Your union dues are fully tax deductible.

Part of the collective

Welcome to your union

As an AMWU member, you’re backed by workplace support, strengthened by solidarity, and covered by great benefits.

Get involved

Want to make a real difference at work? Becoming a delegate or health and safety representative is one of the most powerful ways to stand up for your workmates and improve your workplace.

Learn more

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Worker backpay secured in 2026

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EBAs secured

AMWU history

Organising workers since 1852

The AMWU can trace its origins to the earliest years of Australian trade unionism and the first meeting of Sydney’s Amalgamated Society of Engineers.

This history reflects the achievements of the union since the 1850s

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, or AMWU, can trace its origins back to the earliest years of Australian trade unionism. Many date its establishment to the first meeting of the Sydney branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, held on the immigrant vessel Frances Walker in Sydney Harbour in October 1852. This is the year from which we date an uninterrupted presence of AMWU unions in Australia.

1852–1891

The union provided significant benefits for illness, unemployment, retirement and funerals. These benefits were attractive in a society where there was no welfare state.

1891–1973

The wartime dilution agreements between unions and the federal governments reduced the traditional barriers to women employed on tasks controlled by male craftsmen.

1973–2012

Following the dismissal of the Whitlam government in 1975, the newly elected Liberal-Country Party coalition Fraser government adopted a ‘fight-inflation-first’ policy to deal with the economic problems gripping Australia.

The AMWU was at the forefront in lobbying the Senate to reject the anti–industry level bargaining legislation of the Howard government.

The union in October 2012 conducted a campaign across Australia to urge industry and government to buy Australian.

Our Impact

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`; return card; } const cards = [ { ‘title’: ‘Streets-Free Summer’, ‘description’: ‘Our national boycott forced ice-cream giant Streets to back down on massive cuts to workers’ pay and conditions.’, ‘year’: ‘2017’, ‘image’: ‘/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/streets-free-summer-circle.png’ }, { ‘title’: ‘Australian Shipbuilding Federation of Unions’, ‘description’: ‘Our shipbuilding campaign led to the Australian Shipbuilding Federation of Unions, bringing four unions together to speak with one voice to employers and government.’, ‘year’: ‘2018’, ‘image’: ‘/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/australian-shipbuilding-circle.png’ }, { ‘title’: ‘Our Trains Our Jobs’, ‘description’: ‘Our campaign secured $1 billion worth of work for local train builders in Maryborough, Queensland.’, ‘year’: ‘2019’, ‘image’: ‘/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/our-trains-our-jobs-circle.png’ }, { ‘title’: ‘Keep Apprentices on the Tools’, ‘description’: ‘We forced a government backdown on plans to strip workplace learning from trades training, defending handson, on-the-job apprenticeships.’, ‘year’: ‘2020’, ‘image’: ‘/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/keep-apprentices-on-the-tools-circle.png’ }, { ‘title’: ‘Streets-Free Summer’, ‘description’: ‘Our national boycott forced ice-cream giant Streets to back down on massive cuts to workers’ pay and conditions.’, ‘year’: ‘2021’, ‘image’: ‘/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/streets-free-summer-circle.png’ }, { ‘title’: ‘Streets-Free Summer’, ‘description’: ‘Our national boycott forced ice-cream giant Streets to back down on massive cuts to workers’ pay and conditions.’, ‘year’: ‘2021’, ‘image’: ‘/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/streets-free-summer-circle.png’ } ]; const $container = jQuery(‘.our-impact-carousel > div > .owl-carousel’); if (!$container.length) return; // const innerCarousel = document.querySelector(‘.our-impact-carousel > div > .owl-carousel > .owl-stage-outer > .owl-stage’); if ($container.hasClass(‘owl-loaded’)) { $container.trigger(‘destroy.owl.carousel’); $container.find(‘.owl-stage-outer’).children().unwrap(); } $container.empty(); cards.forEach(card => { $container.append(cardTemplate(card)); }); $container.owlCarousel({ “loop”: true, “margin”: 20, “autoplay”: false, “autoplayTimeout”: 5000, “autoplayHoverPause”: false, “nav”: false, “dots”: false, “responsive”: { “0”: { “items”: 1 }, “768”: { “items”: 2 }, “992”: { “items”: 3 }, “1200”: { “items”: 4 } } }); // keep in sync on every move $owl.on(“changed.owl.carousel”, function (e) { render(e.relatedTarget, e.item.index); }); // set initial state (carousel is already initialised by the script above) var inst = $owl.data(“owl.carousel”); if (inst) render(inst, inst.current()); // drive the carousel from the custom buttons $nav.on(“click”, “.cn-prev”, function () { $owl.trigger(“prev.owl.carousel”); }); $nav.on(“click”, “.cn-next”, function () { $owl.trigger(“next.owl.carousel”); }); }); });

Why you should join

Better pay and conditions than non-union members

Your workplace is safer

You know your rights

You’ll never stand alone

Access to free, confidential advice and legal help

Training and Recognition of Your Skills

Support for you and your family

Journey Accident Insurance – Free with membership

Emergency Transport and Funeral Benefits – Free with membership

1

Better pay and conditions than non-union members

Did you know that union members earn 26% more than non-union workers? They have more secure jobs and better entitlements like paid leave. Union members work together to improve their pay and conditions through collective bargaining.

2

Your workplace is safer

You’re less likely to suffer injury or illness working in a union workplace, but we can also help you access support if you are injured. Safety is union business.

3

You know your rights

Union members are educated on their rights. It’s easier to get what you’re entitled to when you know what your rights are.

4

You’ll never stand alone

AMWU members work in a range of industries, in cities and towns across the country – from Darwin to Hobart, the Pilbara to Geelong. We work in factories, in the offshore, in food processing, and in printing and graphic design. We’re mechanics and boilermakers, supervisors and technicians. Together, we stand up for a fair go at work and in our community, so you’re never alone at work.

5

Access to free, confidential advice and legal help

Trained industrial and legal professionals are there to support you when you need it.

6

Training and Recognition of Your Skills

Underpayment of workers through misclassification is one of the most under-recognised forms of wage theft in Australia. We’ve always fought to upskill workers and ensure their skills are recognised and rewarded. And we’ll help you get access to the training you need to progress your career.

7

Support for you and your family

The union provides a confidential counselling and support line for members and their families, because we know that sometimes you need a little help with what’s going on at home or at work.

8

Journey Accident Insurance – Free with membership

Your union membership gives you free coverage in case you’re hurt or injured whilst travelling to and from work.

9

Emergency Transport and Funeral Benefits – Free with membership

Your union membership gives you Emergency Transport Benefits and Funeral Benefits, just in case the worst happens.

10

It’s great value

Your union dues are fully tax deductible.

Branches

Our state branches

The AMWU is located in branches across every state and regional Australia. Get advice and representation from local people who understand your industry and community.

CaMPAIGNS

Manufacturing Jobs For Australia

Our branches across Australia connect you with people who know your industry, your workplace, and your region. Wherever you are, you can get direct support, advice, and representation from people who’ve worked the same jobs and know what it’s like.

Latest news and media

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Get the full backing of your union today

Join 60,000 workers in manufacturing across Australia building generational workers’ power

Union support goes beyond the workplace.

Your union membership pays for itself by giving you access to a range of direct benefits and services.

Branches

Our state branches

The AMWU is located in branches across every state and regional Australia. Get advice and representation from local people who understand your industry and community.