1.6 million working Australians are members of a union.
In August 2016, there were 1.6 million employed persons who were trade union members in their main job. Persons in the Education and training, and the Public administration and safety industry divisions, had the highest proportion of trade union membership in their main job (both 31%). (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017)
The occupation group that had the highest proportion of trade union members in their main job was Professionals (20%), followed by and Machinery operators and drivers (18%).
Trade union members get paid more
Other characteristics of trade union members in their main job include: