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Why join the SDA

SDA members stand together for a fair deal for retail, warehousing and fast food workers.

We work hard to campaign for better conditions, higher wages and fairer treatment for our members, providing strong representation and effective advocacy when times are tough.
Join over 220,000 SDA members across Australia

How the SDA helps you at work

  • Better wages & conditions: We will negotiate and fight for the best possible wages and employment conditions on your behalf.

  • Protection & security: Our legal team are experts at dealing with unfair dismissal, wage underpayments, bullying and harassment and worker’s compensation.

  • Workplace Health & Safety: We advocate for safe, healthy and productive workplaces for all our members. And if you’re injured at work, our legal team is there to help you.

  • Advice & support: If you have a question, whether it’s about your roster or your rate of pay, we can help provide you with the right advice and support.

From pay negotiation to legal advice and representation, the benefits of being a member of the SDA are huge.

We make sure you know your rights at work and are on hand to help if something goes wrong. We are your voice at work, and the more members we have, the more we can achieve.

Your SDA union membership includes:

ASK SDA member helpline

Unlimited support to help you understand your rights and provide you with advice to resolve problems at work.

Better pay and conditions

The SDA negotiates improvements to your entitlements and protects your existing conditions.

Safer workplaces

We have a huge network of SDA Delegates and Health & Safety Reps and run strong safety campaigns.

Shop floor representation

SDA Organisers regularly visit stores, offer face-to-face advice, and can often fix small problems or issues before they grow into major disputes.

Legal representation

Experienced industrial advocates and industrial lawyers are on hand to deal with more serious problems.

Online members’ area

Check your Agreement, pay rates, entitlements at work. Plus access exclusive discounts and more.

SDA member services

Industrial benefits
  • Advice and representation at Fair Work from the SDA’s industrial team
  • WorkCover representation for workers’ compensation matters
  • Workplace health & safety services
  • Enterprise Bargaining
  • Recovery of unpaid / underpaid wages
  • Assistance with occupational health and safety
  • Protection against sexual harassment and discrimination
  • Protection against unfair dismissal
Advisory services
  • Free superannuation assistance
  • Free workers’ compensation help & advice
  • Health & safety advice
  • SDA Women’s Officer
  • Free first legal consultation
  • Free immigration and visa assistance

SDA member discounts & benefits

  • Discounted eGift card for a huge range of retailers
  • Up to to 45% off movie tickets
  • Discount appliances, electronics, travel, dining, and more.
  • Bulk-billing at our affiliated doctors
  • 20% off optical at our affiliates
  • Discounted health, travel, and pet insurance
  • Annual 1000 textbook scholarship giveaway valued at $120 each
  • Exclusive access to wholesale shopping via Campbells
  • Free Entry to SDA competitions
  • SDA member news magazines
  • Access your benefits any time from any device via the SDA members area

What are the next steps?

1. Register your details online.

Fill out our online registration form with your contact details and basic information about your current employment.

2. Choose how you want to pay.

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):

  • Less than 10 hours per week: $4.50 per week
  • 10 hours or more, but less than 20 hours per week: $8.05 per week
  • 20 hours or more per week: $11.30 per 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.

3. Receive your membership information

We’ll send you a union member card in the post with information about your membership and how to access union services and benefits.

Join online now

Member stories

How we can help SDA members

SDA members get a roof over their heads at Coles, Margaret River
“The loading dock was previously completely exposed to the rain and elements and posed a serious safety hazard.
Read more
Western Australia

Join over 200,000 SDA union members

Join the SDA