Free Student Membership

Are you a full-time student in the NSW or the ACT? You can join the Australian Services Union (ASU) for free. 

Who can get free ASU student membership? 

You're eligible if you: 

• Study at TAFE or University in NSW or the ACT 
• Intend work in a role and/or sector represented by the ASU
• Are not already employed in an ASU-represented sector  

Join the ASU today – student membership is 100% free.   

Join us today

Where ASU members work  

The ASU represents workers in organisations across diverse industries. If you’re planning a career in one of these sectors, ASU membership can support you every step of the way:  

• Disability services (NDIS) 
• Social and Community Services  
• Transport Services (including rail, buses and ferries) 
• Water Services 
• Airline and Travel Services 
• IT and Business Equipment Services 

Benefits of ASU Student Membership 

As a student member, you’ll gain access to professional support, exclusive programs and member savings designed to help you succeed in study, work and life.

• Professional Development: training, workshops and online learning through ASU College & ASU Launchpad  
• Jobs Connect Program: Resume help, career advice & interview coaching to help you get job-ready 
• Visa Assist Program: free expert migration advice covering student visas, working holiday and sponsorship visas for members or their family members 
• Exclusive savings: discounts through Union Shopper and reduced fees for Legal Services 

Why join the ASU as a student?  

By becoming an ASU student member, you’ll be a part of one of Australia’s largest and most diverse unions. You’ll gain access to tools, support and networks to help build your career – while enjoying all the benefits of union membership for free.  

Apply now for free ASU student membership in NSW & ACT and start accessing the benefits today.  

Join us today

ASU wins for students - ending placement poverty

Did you know the ASU fought and won to end placement poverty for students? 

From 1 July 2025, eligible social work students are paid during mandatory placements. This victory means students won’t have to financially struggle or drop out of their degrees just to complete their prac. 

Paid prac has already changed lives for ASU members like Wendy. 

As a single mum of three, Wendy couldn’t afford to complete her placement for her Social Work degree. 

Wendy, a single mum of three, couldn’t afford to complete her social work placement. Now in her 50s, she returned to university and was prepared to struggle again — until the ASU and other unions won paid placements for social work, nursing, and teaching students. 

Wendy says she was “relieved and beyond grateful.” Now she can focus on her degree instead of worrying about the cost. 



Wendy is a proud ASU member and wants to thank all the fellow union members who stood together to make this change possible. 

Join the movement and make a difference

In addition to providing members with individual support, the ASU, its members and the wider union movement campaigns have been instrumental in winning proper pay and conditions for all workers. These campaigns continue to improve and protect the quality of life for everyday Australians. 

The ASU active, progressive and bold union, we fight to win. 

Our current campaigns include: 

• Unions for peace
• Skilled. Respect. Equal.
• Protect Mental Health Supports at Work

Past campaigns: 

• 2010: Portable Long Service Leave Commences: Portable Long Service Leave Commences in the ACT for Social and Community Services workers. This historic achievement is used to successfully argue for the same conditions in other states, with Victoria commencing their leave programs in 2019 and Queensland in 2020.
  
  
• 2010: Australia-first, Domestic Violence Leave: ASU reaches first agreement to gain victims of domestic violence 20 days of paid leave. This Australia-first deal between the Surf Coast Shire Council and the Australian Services Union, was the world's most progressive workplace agreement on family violence at that time. Since then millions of workers across many industries have been covered by similar agreements supported by their unions, using the ASU template.
  
  
• 2010: Former Ansett staff final payment: The ASU stood by former ANSETT staff after the airline collapsed in the early 2000’s. The tenacity of our union saw members receive 96 cents in the dollar of their entitlements. In total, employees received $727.5 million. At the time of the ANSETT collapse many thought they would not receive anything. The ASU will always be by your side.
  
  
• 2010: Torres Strait Islanders gain ceremonial leave: ASU advocacy through the Fair Work Commission changes modern awards to include Torres Strait Islanders access to 10 days ceremonial leave - a clear oversight that was acted upon by the ASU.
  
  
• 2012: Victory on Equal Pay: "Today is a day in a generation – a day for all women to celebrate" said then ASU Secretary Sally McManus. ASU members campaigned for Equal Pay. Many said it couldn’t be achieved. The ASU and the Gillard Government reached agreement on February 1, and the Fair Work Commission awarded a real wage increase of 23% – 45% over eight years. We love the work we do, and we deserved to be paid a fair amount.
  
  
• 2017: Federal Government Abandoned Changes to Paid Parental Leave: ASU members working together stared down the threat by the Federal Government to remove the hard won Paid Parental Leave rights in over 420 ASU agreements. We are ambitious to see our members with good pay and leave entitlements.
  
  
• 2020: We saved Equal Pay funding.
  
  
• 2022: Paid domestic violence leave: The first leave entitlement in Australia that includes casual workers.
  
  
• 2024: Won the Right to Disconnect.
  
  
• 2025: Government Paid Parental Leave will now include super.  
  
  
• 2025: Won paid prac placements for social work students.
  
  
• 2025: Portable Long Service Leave Commences: Portable Long Service Leave Commences in the NSW for Social and Community Services workers. This historic achievement is used to successfully argue for the same conditions in other states, with Victoria commencing their leave programs in 2019 and Queensland in 2020. 
  
  
• 2025: Labor have vowed to expand Paid Parental Leave rights - making it illegal for employers to cancel paid parental leave after a stillbirth or early infant death.