Fact Sheets

Today women are paid the same wage as men when they do the same job. It wasn’t always this way; find out more about how women worked towards ‘equal pay for work of equal value’ here… 

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Did you know that once upon a time, women were expected to resign from their jobs when they got married? And this was only about 50 years ago! read more

In 1907, average Australian workers were paid so little that they could not afford to buy enough food to sustain themselves through a working day. But change was in the air… read more

In one of Australia’s biggest industrial disputes to date, the employees of port related services company Patrick Stevedore protested after being sacked and replaced with a non-union workforce. Were their protests heard? read more

In one of Australia’s first industrial disputes, more than 1000 employees of the wool industry downed their shears and marched through the streets of Queensland demanding better conditions. Were their demands met? read more

The founders of one of the first trade unions in the world went on strike to demand better wages but were later arrested for unlawful assembly and sentenced to seven years transportation to the penal colony in New South Wales, Australia.
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The eight hour day – eight hours work, eight hours rest, and eight hours play. Sounds simple enough, but is it still appropriate today? read more

If you are a full-time or part-time worker, you’ll be entitled to a certain amount of annual leave per year, as well as an array of personal, public holiday and parental leave benefits. What types of leave apply to you? read more

Mums and Dads are both entitled to take some time off when they have a baby or adopt a baby. Find out how much time here… This sheet will also discuss the paid maternity leave debate that currently exists in Australia. read more

If you’re sick, or need to look after a sick family member, you’re allowed a certain amount of paid days off per year. read more

If you’re a permanent part-time or full-time worker, public holidays should be yours to do with what you want! However, depending on the industry you work in, you may still be asked to work a public holiday.
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The Australian Government has established a 'one-stop shop,' independent unpire to oversee the new workplace relations system. 'Fair Work Australia' is the body that will provide practical information, advice and assistance, and dispute settlements to employers and employees.
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The new workplace laws provide a ‘safety net’ for employees that cannot be stripped away. The safety net comprises of two parts—the National Employment Standards and new modern awards.
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Modern awards will be updated to include minimum wages, types of employment, arrangements for when work is performed, overtime and penalty rates, annualised wage or salary arrangements, allowances, leave related matters, superannuation and procedures for consultation, representation and dispute settlement.

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Unfair dismissal is something that no one wants to experience. To help prevent this, a new ‘fair dismissal’ system started on 1 July 2009. This system set out the steps that an employer should go through before giving an employee the sack.
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Everyone has rights at work – regardless of your position or the company you work for. These rights include your rights to be paid fairly, to have equal opportunity for employment and advancement, to act in a way that adheres to your religion, and work in a safe environment that is free from prejudice... read more

If you’ve worked overtime, been paid the wrong amount, or leave a job and have accrued leave - get the money you’ve earned! read more

Everyone should enjoy the same privileges in the workplace regardless of one’s religion, gender, race or sexual preference. read more

Harassment in the workplace can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, and can affect your performance levels at work. Sexual harassment is unacceptable, illegal and can be stopped.
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Can your employer tell you what to wear and how to do your hair? Find out here... read more

It’s your employer’s responsibility to create a safe environment at work. Unfortunately young people have more accidents at work than any other age group – so it’s important to ask questionsfirst – before you become the next statistic! 

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What’s all this talk of asbestos? Find out why so many people are up in arms… read more

Bulling is not just confined to the schoolyard. Bullies can infiltrate people working lives even after they’ve finished school… read more

24 hours without sleep is as dangerous as driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.1! How you can overcome fatigue and stress at work, and avoid injuring yourself? read more

Stress at work is something that’s part of almost every job. But when it happens all the time, and nothing is done to improve the situation, it becomes a health and safety issue. read more

Just thirty years ago about half of all workers were union members, today union membership rates are much lower. But even so, there are still 1.8 million people in Australia who are members of a union. read more

On average, women in their 20s and 30s receive the same pay as their male counterparts but they’ll struggle to maintain equal pay throughout their lifetime. Why is this so? read more

The ACTU is the nationally governing body of unions in Australia and represents Australian unions around the world. read more

As this time line of events from 1800 – 1900 will show you, unions have been a long time running and looking out for the rights of Australian workers.
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The period of 1900-1960 was the time when women were first given a vote, the aged pension was formed, unemployment and sickness benefits were introduced, and the basic female wage was set at 75 percent of the male wage.
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Between the period of 1960 – 2000, unions help Australian workers win equal pay for work of equal value, maternity leave and the 38 hour week.
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Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA is the overseas humanitarian aid agency of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
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Unions are democratic organisations which means they are run by the members! Most unions are made up of a national office with branches in each state, and also operate on a local level at the workplace.
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So you’ve started you first job, or you’re investigating your dream job. Which union will be looking after the rights of employees in your profession?
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A great alternative to studying at Uni or TAFE is to start an Australian Apprenticeship. Combine education with on the job training in a growing number of exciting industries.
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250 million child labourers in the world are missing out on their childhood, and instead work long hours, often for little money. Learn why children are made to work, and about how you can contribute to ending the exploitation of child labourers. read more

Stand up for your rights! Don’t give up the fight! ‘Industrial action’ is the name given to the act of taking action against an employer to demand better conditions. But you can’t just take action because you don’t want to do your homework, a strike must be legal. read more

Think you’ve got what it takes to work for unions? ‘Organising works’ is a program in which young people can work with unions to build their skills and be ready for a union position in the future. read more

Retirement? Might seem ages away, but you should start saving now. As soon as you start working, you’ll start to put aside money to be used when you’re old and grey.
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The Australian Human Rights Commission  is an independent organisation that works to protect and promote the basic human rights and freedoms that all humans are entitled to. And this includes your rights at work.
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In Australia, approximately 612,800 people are unemployed and looking for work. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry! There are a number of government initiatives designed to help you out. read more

Casual, part-time, permanent – what difference does it make? The answer is, a big difference…Find out more before you start work.

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Everyone can be a Work Scene Investigator. Here are investigations that will uncover the 'secrets' of the workplace. Read your rights, follow the money trail, look for evidence and protect your life! read more

Lesson number one for all Work Scene Investigators is pay - how often, how much and what are the extra benefits? Get out your note books and test your knowledge about everything related to the money you receive in exchange for the work you do.
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The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) represents the national interests of Australian unions and their workers, both nationally and internationally. Learn about the ACTU. Here.
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Let's investigate the role of the Australian Human Rights Commission
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Everyone has rights at work. This Work Scene Investigation will help you understand what they mean for you.
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Everyone has different opinions. Your dream job might be someone else's nightmare job. Your nightmare job might be their dream job. How do you find what's right for you?
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This Work Scene Investigation will help you understand the new work laws introduced by the government.
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Which union acts for which job?
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You've heard of primary, secondary and tertiary education. Did you know there are primary, secondary and tertiary industries? After you've done this Work Scene Investigation, you'll be an expert at identifying different industries. read more

Health and safety at work is a matter of life and death. Every year hundreds of Australians die or are seriously injured at work. This Work Scene Investigation will help you recognise potential Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) traps at work.
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Fashion and self-expression can clash with the demands of the working life. Your favorite tattoo, your shiny new body piercing or your radical hair style might draw more attention than you bargained for at work. This Work Scene Investigation looks at how far workplace appearance rules can go.
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It's time to investigate different hours of work. What is full-time, part-time and casual work?  After this Work Scene Investigation you'll be able to spot the tell tale signs of a 'dodgy' job ad.
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