Frequently asked questions

The SDA advocates for better pay and conditions for workers and defends these rights at at all levels.

The SDA’s core business is to negotiate your wages and conditions by negotiating with your employer and pushing for better rights at the Fair Work Commission.

If you have a question about your rights at work or need help with a workplace, the SDA is here to help. Our network of SDA Lawyers and Industrial Officers, Case Managers, Organisers and Delegates have extensive expereicen resolving issues and are here to help.

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

Salaried workers have the right to be a member of the SDA.

The SDA is a member-based organisation which requires that workers seeking advice and assistance from the union are financial members of the SDA.

Workers joining the SDA who have pre-existing issues that they would like assistance from the union with, may be eligible for that assistance, subject to approval. Call us on 8139 1000 to find out if you’re eligible for assistance.

We will be able to help you with all workplace issues that arise after you’ve joined the SDA.

Joining the SDA is important even if you get along well with your employer. SDA members stand up and help us fight for better pay and conditions.

Being a member means you’re protected at work. If something goes wrong at work, the SDA is always on your side.

You never know what may happen to you in the course of your employment – your employer may change or you might get injured at work. The SDA protects you at work no matter what happens and has a wealth of information about your work rights and your pay and conditions.

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. All workers have the right to be a union member.

Joining your union is a fundamental workplace right and is protected under the Fair Work Act. You don’t need your employer’s permission to join your union.

It is illegal for them to stop you from joining or forcing you to cancel your membership.

Did you know? A McDonald’s Franchise recently paid $275,000 in fines and legal costs to the SDA for anti-union conduct.

 

The franchise admitted that workers were forced by management to resign their union membership and told they wouldn’t be promoted if they were a union member

Yes. Union membership provides a range of benefits no matter how long you’re in the job for, including crucial information about your pay and conditions.

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

No. All workers have the right to be a union member.

Joining your union is a fundamental workplace right and is protected under the Fair Work Act. You don’t need your employer’s permission to join your union.

It is illegal for them to stop you from joining or forcing you to cancel your membership. You do not need to disclose your union membership to your employer unless you wish to.

Workers who are not members of the SDA do not receive the advice, support and representation of the union when things go wrong at work. As a member of the SDA, you’re never alone at work. The more members we have, the better outcomes we can achieve to improve your wages and working conditions.

If you change jobs you can easily update your details online here or call to let us know on 8139 1000.

If you would like to resign your membership, you must resign in writing. To do this, you can send an email in writing to [email protected]. Your resignation will take effect two weeks after it is received by the SDA Office.

You can choose to pay fortnightly via direct debit from your bank account or your credit card.

Depending on your workplace, you may be eligible to elect to have your fees deducted from your pay each week.

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.

You can change your payment method online or by contacting the SDA on 8139 1000.

Yes, SDA Member Rewards is a fully digital benefits package and offers you endless rewards and savings from Australia’s leading brands and products – accessible anywhere, anytime, from any device. It is exclusive to SDA members.

Members can enjoy discounts and savings on:

• eGift Cards for a range of popular retailers, services and more
• Online Offers including discount codes and cashbacks
• A range of household appliances, homewares, electronics and games which can be purchased direct through the eWallet and delivered to your home.
• Travel packages, restaurants, classes, workshops and events

As part of your SDA membership, we offer you cover if you are in an accident when travelling to and from work as follows:

Where a member has an accident, traveling to or from work, and the member is injured because of that accident, the union may:

• Cover the cost of an ambulance relating to injury sustained, unless the member has ambulance cover; and/or
• Pay up to $500 of lost wages resulting from the accident. This does not include reimbursing members for sick leave.

For our online direct debit members, the SDA also provides free accident insurance of up to $47,000 for accidents outside of the workplace.

Feeling unsafe at work isn’t normal. Your employer is required by law to take all reasonable measures to keep you safe.
It doesn’t matter how big or small it might seem, if there’s a hazard in your workplace, your employer must be taking steps to prevent or eliminate it.

Report a safety concern