Browse Courses

Here at the Australian Trade Union Institute we offer over 20 courses for union practitioners, with flexible options to study online, face-to-face, and on demand.

Our Courses:

Our courses are designed by unionists, for unionists. Whatever your education needs are, the ATUI is committed to providing tailored training that moves with the times and meets the real needs of unionists.

Whether you need to build your organising and industrial skills, update your knowledge of workplace health and safety, or bolster your digital and communication skills, our aim is that the ATUI will be the place to go to enhance your skill set as union practitioner.

Some of our courses run for just a few hours, while others are year-long training programs, but what every course has in common is they arose to meet a genuine need in the union movement.

Every one of our courses teaches real skills to support you in the vital work you do for the movement supporting union members.

*IR Education 2023 – Making History!*

The ACTU and ATUI are coordinating a comprehensive IR Law Education program, including face-to-face and online education, as well as national events that bring the movement together as a whole. The goal is simple: to understand how we can use the ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ legislation to aid the vital work we do day in day out supporting our members. By collaborating and building a shared understanding of the new laws, we can and will grow our unions and win generation-defining change for workers.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
DelegatesIndustrial OfficersLead OrganisersOfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Advanced Recruitment Skills: Coaching for Growth

In the face of falling union density and the pressures of everyday organising, it often feels like we are treading water when it comes to union growth. Every union member has a vital role to play, which is why it’s so important for organisers to take the time to transfer their knowledge, confidence and skills to union members.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Organisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Advocacy

Researching and presenting a submission is a skill that can be learnt, like any other. This course caters to officials who need to present matters to the Fair Work Commission or other industrial tribunals. You will learn a step-by-step approach that will provide guidance at every stage of the process, from initial research to presenting – ensuring you will be the most effective advocate possible.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Industrial

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Bargaining and Negotiation

Negotiation skills are a critical tool for industrial officers and key to building power in workplaces. Gain the skills to win change for workers both at the negotiating table and beyond.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Industrial

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BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety

The Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (WHS) is a nationally accredited program, which equips you with a practical WHS tool kit, based on a proactive and preventative approach to workplace health and safety from a union perspective.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
WHS Specialists
Course Topics:
Work Health and Safety

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Certificate of Executive Management & Development for Union Leaders

The Certificate of Executive Management and Development comprises core modules, electives and masterclasses purposefully contextualised for Union Leader needs, equipping them with the practical skills and capabilities to lead in an accelerating and complex world.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Officials
Course Topics:
Training

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Climate Action for Unionists

Climate change is a workplace issue. It affects us all. This course is all about providing you practical strategies to both climate-proof your workplace – in alignment with WHS legislation – and to take a more active role in climate change campaigns, particularly campaigns for a just energy transition.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
DelegatesHealth and Safety Representatives (HSRs)OfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Commonwealth Work Health & Safety Entry Permit Holders

Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Entry Permit Holders have an important role to play in unions, with a range of powers in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
OfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
ComplianceWork Health and Safety

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Core Skills For Delegates

Become a more effective delegate as you represent the interests of workers in your workplace. This course is built for those embarking on a role as a delegate for the first time. Gain the practical skills and knowledge you need, as well as the confidence these skills entail, in order to effectively represent workers’ interests.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Delegates
Course Topics:
Organising

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Economics for Unionists: Intensive

Economics for Unionists provides a grounding in the fundamentals of economic theory and policy from a unionist’s perspective. Enhance your understanding of major economic concepts and arguments, theories of labour in the economy, and alternative approaches to economic policy.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
DelegatesIndustrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisersResearchers
Course Topics:
Social & History

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Ending Workers Exploitation in Global Supply Chains

This course is all about exploring pragmatic ways to build worker voices in global supply chains. You will have the opportunity to extend your understanding of how global supply chains operate, including the gaps and weaknesses in existing regulatory frameworks – contextualised within the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of modern slavery and human rights due diligence legislation.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
OfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Federal Right of Entry

The Fair Work Act of 2009 brought about important changes to workplace laws, particularly in relation to union officials’ entry to workplaces. As an Official completing this course, you will be able to apply for a right of entry permit under the Fair Work Act.

Course Type:
On Demand
Course Audience:
Officials
Course Topics:
Compliance

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Handling Grievances in the Workplace

This course builds on the skills introduced in our Core skills for Delegates. As a workplace delegate, you will often play the role of problem solver, and at times need to step in to negotiate productive outcomes at the workplace level.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Delegates
Course Topics:
Industrial

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Industrial Foundations

Whether you’re an Official, Organiser or Industrial Officer, a comprehensive understanding of Australia’s industrial relations system will enhance your ability to deliver positive change on behalf of the workers you represent.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Industrial

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Lead Organiser Development Program

The Lead Organiser Development Program aims to build the skills of organisers who supervise other organising staff. Refine your planning skills and explore various systemic models of supervision and management.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Lead Organisers
Course Topics:
LeadershipOrganising

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Media Skills for Union Officials

For some union officials, engaging with media is part of the day-to-day. Fronting the media doesn’t always come naturally, but thankfully it’s a skill that can be taught and intentionally practised.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
OfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Communications & Digital

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Online & Remote Organising

There are great opportunities to discover in the innovative Online and Remote Organising. Like any movement, the union movement continues to evolve, which means translating union work into dynamic online spaces.

Course Type:
On Demand
Course Audience:
Organisers
Course Topics:
Communications & DigitalOrganising

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Organiser Pathway Level 1: Organising Foundations

Organising Foundations is the first level of the ATUI’s Organiser Pathway – a pathway designed to equip organisers with the practical skills they need to excel in the vital role they play within the movement.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Organisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Organiser Pathway Level 2: Building Union

Building Union is the second level of the ATUI’s Organiser Pathway – a pathway designed to equip organisers with the practical skills they need to excel in the vital role they play within the movement.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Organisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Organiser Pathway Level 3: Organising for Change

Organising for Change is the third level of the ATUI’s Organiser Pathway – a pathway designed to equip organisers with the practical skills they need to excel in the vital role they play within the movement.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Organisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Organiser Pathways Level 4: Craft of Organising

The Craft of Organising course is a two-part course for experienced organisers that further develops participants’ skills and knowledge in organising theory and practice, in the context of the current workplace relations system.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Organisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Parliamentary Inquiries: Submissions & Hearings

This course covers topics related to the planning, preparation and lodging of submissions to Australian Parliamentary Inquiries, as well as the presentation of evidence.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Industrial OfficersOfficialsPolicy Officers
Course Topics:
Policy

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Political Engagement

Political engagement is an essential campaign tactic. Knowing who to talk to and how to get a meeting is just the start. Helping a politician understand how their interests can be served by getting on board with your agenda is key.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Lead OrganisersOfficialsSenior Officials
Course Topics:
Policy

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Power at Work: Next Steps for Delegates

Do you want to leave your workplace union stronger than you found it? This course builds on what you learned in Core Skills for Delegates to step up your skills to build union power at your workplace.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Delegates
Course Topics:
Organising

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Responding with Compassion – FDV Leave Training

Family and domestic violence is a national crisis, and by becoming a legislated leave entitlement, Paid Family and Domestic Violence leave will actively save lives. As unionists we have a responsibility to understand the changes so we can help create safe workplaces and support those who need to access leave.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
DelegatesHealth and Safety Representatives (HSRs)Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisersSenior Officials
Course Topics:
Industrial

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Sociology for Unionists

Whatever role you play at your union, understanding our social reality can help ground your work. The course introduces you to Liberation Sociology, a framework that will equip you with practical tools to engage in liberation for all those who experience exclusion and exploitation because of class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, and age.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
ActivistsOfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Social & History

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Union Governance

The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009  requires  union officers with financial decision-making responsibilities – including elected officials, finance staff and members of committees of management – to undertake Fair Work Commission-approved training in the area of financial governance within 6 months of their appointment.

Course Type:
On Demand
Course Audience:
Officials
Course Topics:
Compliance

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Union Governance: Train the Trainer

The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 requires that union officers who hold financial decision-making responsibilities – including elected officials, finance staff and members of committees of management – must undertake Fair Work Commission-approved training in the area of financial governance within 6 months of their appointment.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Educators
Course Topics:
Compliance

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Union Governance: Train the Trainer Refresher

The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 requires union officers with financial decision-making responsibilities (including elected officials, finance staff and members of committees of management) to undertake Fair Work Commission-approved training in the area of financial governance within 6 months of their appointment.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Educators
Course Topics:
Compliance

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Voice. Treaty. Truth. Advocacy.

Orient your understanding of Voice, Treaty, Truth, in the context of advocacy and the work unions do.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander WorkersDelegatesOfficialsOrganisers
Course Topics:
Organising

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Working for Unions

Unions play a distinct role advocating for workers’ interests. Everything a union does is for the benefit of its members and working people, but to win real change, unions must maintain a high standard for corporate governance and accountability. This course will improve your understanding of what unions are, who they represent, and the steps they need to take to operate effectively in accordance with the Fair Work Act.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Administrators
Course Topics:
Social & History

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Working with Unions: Superannuation

This is a foundational course designed specifically for staff in the profit-to-member superannuation and finance sectors that enhances participants’ understanding of how industry funds, Australian unions and their members are working together. Working with Unions: Superannuation also gives participants a grounding in Australian union history, the values that underpin unionism  and issues facing the movement today.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Industry Partners
Course Topics:
Social & History

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Workplace Health & Safety for Organisers

The Health and Safety for Organisers course introduces organisers to the opportunities and legal frameworks for organising around health and safety issues. It helps organisers understand the differences between health and safety and industrial laws, and how good health and safety structures in workplaces support workers.

Course Type:
On Demand
Course Audience:
Organisers
Course Topics:
OrganisingWork Health and Safety

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Workplace Union Leaders: Delegates Intensive

Are you an experienced workplace representative seeking to build your leadership capacity? This course is all about providing a space for emerging union leaders and delegates to refine their skills.

Course Type:
Scheduled
Course Audience:
Delegates
Course Topics:
Organising

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Sorry no courses match your criteria.