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Frequently asked questions

SDA Membership

What you need to know about SDA union membership.

A union is an organisation of workers who join together to achieve common workplace goals through collective bargaining. A union represents workers in a particular industry by negotiating for job security, fair pay and better working conditions. A union provides members with workplace information, support and advice, shop floor representation when a problem arises, and legal representation for underpayments, unfair dismissals and workers compensation.

Read more about the SDA

The SDA can negotiate your wages and conditions with your employer and in Awards so that you don’t have to. We can provide workplace information and support if you have a problem at work. If things get serious, the SDA provides free legal representation for unfair dismissals, underpayments and workers compensation.

Read more about what we do

Any worker working in the retail, fast food, warehousing, hair and beauty, and modelling industries can join the SDA.

If you’re not a member, we can’t help you. If you have a pre-existing issue when you join, we are unable to help you with that particular issue. However, we will be able to help you with all workplace issues that arise after you’ve joined the SDA.

Yes, you can join the SDA and have full access to all the benefits of union membership even if there are no other union members in your workplace.

No. You have a right to be a union member and that right is protected under General Protections provisions of the Fair Work Act. You do not need to disclose your union membership to your employer unless you wish to.

No. You do not have to tell your employer that you are a member of the union unless you wish to.

When you’re an SDA member, you have access to important workplace information, advice and representation. You can read about some of the issues we help with on the Your Rights page.

You can apply to join the SDA online here. Workers can also join by speaking to their local SDA Organiser or contacting their local SDA Branch.

See membership benefits

You can choose to pay via direct debit from your bank account or your credit card. Member fees are calculated according to the amount of hours you expect to work (inclusive of GST):

Hours worked per weekCost per week
0-9 hours per week$4.50
10-19 hours per week$8.05
20+ hours per week$11.30

Your member fees are 100% tax deductible. At the end of the financial year when you file your tax return, you can claim your membership fees as a deduction.

Members can send of a notice of resignation to their local Branch Secretary.

Resignations take effect, 2 weeks after the notice is received, or a later date that is contained in the notice, or for members who have ceased working in the industry, on the day the notice is received.