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.
Filter Courses:
*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.
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DelegatesIndustrial OfficersLead OrganisersOfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingAdvanced 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.
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OrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingAdvocacy
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.
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Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
IndustrialBargaining 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.
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Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
IndustrialBSB41419 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.
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WHS SpecialistsCourse Topics:
Work Health and SafetyCertificate 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.
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OfficialsCourse Topics:
TrainingClimate 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.
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DelegatesHealth and Safety Representatives (HSRs)OfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingCommonwealth 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.
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OfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
ComplianceWork Health and SafetyCore 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.
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DelegatesCourse Topics:
OrganisingEconomics 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.
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DelegatesIndustrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisersResearchersCourse Topics:
Social & HistoryEnding 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.
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OfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingFederal 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.
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On DemandCourse Audience:
OfficialsCourse Topics:
ComplianceHandling 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.
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DelegatesCourse Topics:
IndustrialIndustrial 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.
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Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
IndustrialLead 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.
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Lead OrganisersCourse Topics:
LeadershipOrganisingMedia 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.
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OfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
Communications & DigitalOnline & 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.
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On DemandCourse Audience:
OrganisersCourse Topics:
Communications & DigitalOrganisingOrganiser 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.
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OrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingOrganiser 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.
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OrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingOrganiser 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.
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OrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingOrganiser 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.
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OrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingParliamentary 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.
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Industrial OfficersOfficialsPolicy OfficersCourse Topics:
PolicyPolitical 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.
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Lead OrganisersOfficialsSenior OfficialsCourse Topics:
PolicyPower 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.
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DelegatesCourse Topics:
OrganisingResponding 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.
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DelegatesHealth and Safety Representatives (HSRs)Industrial OfficersOfficialsOrganisersSenior OfficialsCourse Topics:
IndustrialSociology 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.
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ActivistsOfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
Social & HistoryUnion 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.
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On DemandCourse Audience:
OfficialsCourse Topics:
ComplianceUnion 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.
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EducatorsCourse Topics:
ComplianceUnion 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.
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EducatorsCourse Topics:
ComplianceVoice. Treaty. Truth. Advocacy.
Orient your understanding of Voice, Treaty, Truth, in the context of advocacy and the work unions do.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander WorkersDelegatesOfficialsOrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingWorking 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.
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AdministratorsCourse Topics:
Social & HistoryWorking 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.
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Industry PartnersCourse Topics:
Social & HistoryWorkplace 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.
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On DemandCourse Audience:
OrganisersCourse Topics:
OrganisingWork Health and SafetyWorkplace 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.