Why join the ETU?
What has the ETU done for apprentices?
A lot. From winning back stolen wages to making sure you’re treated fairly at work, the ETU has your back.
We fight for your wages:
- We’ve recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages for real apprentices.
We fight for your rights:
- You shouldn’t be paying for your own TAFE fees or textbooks – we make sure you don’t
- You’re entitled to travel time, tool, and license allowances – we help enforce that
- We call out unsafe worksites and push for proper mentoring
We support women and clean energy apprentices:
- We helped spark programs like Building Women’s Careers
- And we secured better financial support for clean energy apprentices
The ETU is here to make sure you get paid right, trained well, and treated with respect. Want backup? We’re here for you.
Benefits of Membership
Advice &
Assistance
We can help you recover unpaid wages/entitlements. Worried you’re not being paid correctly? Talk to us.
- Unfair dismissal representation
- Bullying and Harassment claims
Giving
Members
A Voice
We represent our members in Award and workplace agreement negotiations.
Safety
We run safety committees and workplace safety inspections.
We can help with workers compensation claims.
Extra
Benefits
Free Journey Cover insurance (workcover if you get injured on the way to or from work).
Discounted holiday cabins – the ETU owns holiday cabins at Nambucca Heads, available at discount rates for members. To book, call the ETU office on 02 4968 2488.
Discounted gym membership.
ETU Member vs Non-Member Comparison
ETU MEMBERS
NON-MEMBERS
Advice & Support
ETU members have access to experienced organisers, industrial officers, and officials for support and representation.
Non-members may not have access to the same level of industrial representation and support.
Training and Development
The ETU provides various training courses through its Centre for U program. These courses are designed to upskill members, help them change career paths, or improve their career prospects. Some courses are free for unemployed members and offered at discounted or free rates for employed members.
Non-members may have to pay significant sums for training courses.
Benefits
ETU members receive a range of benefits, including insurance for travel to and from their job, discounted gym membership, travel and accommodation deals.
Non-members miss out on the range of benefits offered to ETU members.
Collective Bargaining
ETU members have a collective voice to negotiate better wages and working conditions.
Non-members do not have the same collective bargaining power as ETU members.
Protection
ETU protects members’ rights, investigates claims of victimisation and harassment, and provides support in case of injury at work.
Non-members have much more limited protection.v