Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about membership
- What happens if I join the NTEU and need assistance with a pre-existing issue?
- Why join NTEU?
- What can NTEU do for me?
- Who can join the NTEU?
- How do I transfer my membership from one institution to another?
- What are the other member categories?
- What happens if I want to resign for the Union?
Questions about payment
- What are the membership fees?
- What are the special fees for Casual staff and unemployed members?
- What are the payment methods?
- Are NTEU fees tax deductible?
- How do I change my payment method?
- What is the wording for the Direct Debit Request Service Agreement?
Questions about benefits
- What are the membership benefits?
- What is soft delivery?
- What publications do I receive from the Union?
Questions about getting involved with NTEU
Questions about membership
1. What happens if I join the NTEU and need assistance with a pre-existing issue?
New members seeking assistance with a workplace issue that pre-dates their NTEU membership should contact their local Branch to discuss their situation.
There is a national policy which governs Union assistance for non-members/new members. NTEU’s Non-Member Assistance Policy operates much like an insurance policy, in that generally, we do not deal with problems or issues that arose before a person joined the Union. In order to seek assistance for a pre-existing problem, you would need to join the Union and would normally need to pay an additional 12 months’ back dues (pro rata for non members employed for less than twelve months). Once this has been done, the elected leadership of the union will examine your situation and make an assessment on whether we can assist or not. Please note, there is no guarantee that assistance will be offered on a pre-existing case.
2. Why join NTEU?
Ten reasons why you should join NTEU:
- We are the only Union which works exclusively in higher education. We know the issues, the people and the sector.
- We bargain hard, lobby hard and campaign hard with proven outcomes.
- Academics and general staff united are a stronger voice.
- We can represent you in negotiations over your pay and conditions, individual disputes, grievances, cases and change management issues.
- We work with other industry players (Government, ARC, NHMRC, students) to get outcomes for members.
- United you stand, divided you fall – being a Union with over 25,000 higher education members gives you a strong voice.
- We are well resourced, with offices and staff on campus and a national fighting fund to support strike action and major disputes.
- One year of our fees gives you far more services and costs the same as 3 hours with a lawyer.
- Membership gives you access to a range of other benefits like low cost banking; Union Shopper; legal advice; tax service; quality health insurance and discount holiday accommodation.
- We are democratic, with elected committees of university staff members at your university, your State and nationwide.
Still not sure? Here are some more reasons for joining the Union:
- Your job could be the next one targeted by management.
- Individual employees are weak compared with their employers.
- Unions are especially important when tertiary education workers' wages, conditions and jobs are under attack from both Government and management.
- Together, workers can more effectively defend or improve their wages and conditions.
(7 MB) - PDF
NTEU Recruitment brochure
eBook: http://issuu.com/nteu/docs/nteu_recruitment_brochure_2010Published: 29 Jun, 2010
Tags: join, recruitment
What NTEU does and how we can help you. Includes membership form.
3. What can NTEU do for me?
Some of the things NTEU can do for members include:
- Negotiate with your employer on disputes related to your employment including promotion, reclassification, redeployment, termination and redundancy, restructures, contract issues and casual conditions.
- Provide advice on issues related to intellectual property, academic freedom, workcover, occupational health and safety, training and recruitment.
- Assist in the establishment, training and resourcing of delegates networks and other union communication mechanisms.
- Lobby government over broad sectoral issues including funding, student places, quality and access.
- Offer you discounts and special offers on a wide range of goods and services.
4. Who can join the NTEU?
Membership is open to anyone whose work falls within the categories described by the NTEU's registered rules. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact your Division Office. In general terms, the following categories of staff are eligible for membership of the NTEU:
| All higher education academic and general staff* | Visit homepages |
| PACCT staff in TAFE colleges in Victoria | Visit homepage |
| Adult education employees in Victoria (CAE) | Visit homepage |
| Employees of university and college companies | Visit homepage |
| Academic and research staff in research institutes | Visit homepage |
| Employees of the RACGP | Visit homepage |
| Employees of student unions and other student organisations | Visit homepage |
| ELICOS staff employed in or in connection with higher education institutions | Visit homepage |
| Postgraduate students are eligible to join as Associate members | Download join form |
| Anyone usually employed in one of the above categories, who is currently unemployed but seeking work in the industry |
This is not an exhaustive list (thanks to the complicated system of union registration in Australia, the NTEU's eligibility rule runs for several close-typed pages), and if you are in any doubt as to whether you can join, please ask us. If you are not eligible for membership of the NTEU we will tell you which other union or unions you are able to join.
*NTEU has an agreement with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) that it will not recruit cleaning, security, trades and other 'services' staff at most universities.
5. How do I transfer my membership from one institution to another?
Members who move from one Branch to another must re-fill out the NTEU join form. This is not because you are rejoining, but because the Union requires a number of new details including:
- New home address.
- New institution department/faculty/campus.
- New position details including classification and step/increment information.
- Details of preferred payment option and the relevant banking details.
The Union needs this information to ensure:
- The correct membership fees are deducted.
- Your contact details are accurate.
- Your Union mail is sent to the correct address.
- The date on which you originally joined the NTEU is maintained for the purposes of membership continuity.
6. What are the other member categories?
Associate Members
Only post-graduate students can be Associate Members.
The annual membership fee is $55 (GST inclusive). As an Associate Member you will receive the Union’s regular publications and have access to a range of commercial discounts and services negotiated by NTEU on behalf of members. Associate Members do not receive industrial services and cannot vote in NTEU elections.
Past Members
People who ceased to be eligible to be a member may apply to belong to the Past Members Association (PMA).
The annual membership fee is $55 (GST inclusive).
As a Past Member you will receive the Union’s regular publications and have access to a range of commercial discounts and services negotiated by NTEU on behalf of members. Past members do not receive industrial services and cannot vote in NTEU elections.
Unemployed members
An unemployed member is categorised as a person qualified to be employed in, and seeking to be employed in, an occupation that would make that person eligible to be a member of the Union.
Apart from current financial members, unemployed members are entitled to join as full members, have full membership entitlements and pay the casual fee.
Life members
National Council may confer life membership on any member of the Union 'who has rendered special or valuable services to the Union'. Life members are exempt from paying any dues or levies.
7. What happens if I want to resign for the Union?
You may resign by written notice to the Division, Branch Secretary or National Office. Where you cease to be eligible to become a member, resignation shall take effect on the date the notice is received or on the day specified in your notice, whichever is later.
In any other case, you must give at least two weeks notice. Members are required to pay dues and levies as set by the Union from time to time in accordance with NTEU rules. Further information on financial obligations, including a copy of the rules, is available from your Branch.
Questions about payment
1. What are the membership fees?
NTEU membership fees are set as 1% of annual salary.
Casual members pay a special low rate.
2. What are the special fees for Casual staff and unemployed members?
For casual members, these special reduced fees apply:
| Annual earnings | 6 month fee | Annual fee |
| $10,000 and under | $27.50 | $55.00 |
| $10,001 - $20,000 | $38.50 | $77.00 |
| Over $20,000 | $55.00 | $110.00 |
For unemployed members, there is a special annual fee of $55.00.
3. What are the payment methods?
Full time, part time or contract staff can pay NTEU dues by either:
- credit card
- direct debit
- payroll deductions (see note)
Note: Payroll deductions are not available at TAFE/Adult & Further Education institutions, and at some smaller workplaces in Victoria.
Casual or unemployed members can only pay by:
- credit card
- cheque
- money order
- cash (at your local Branch only)
When joining, please choose one of the payment options:
For payroll deduction, fill in the Payroll Deduction Authority on the membership form and return to your local Branch or National Office. If you join online, please print, sign & return the form to the National Office. The form can also be faxed or emailed to national@nteu.org.au. A copy will be sent to your Payroll Office.
For credit card, fill in the Credit Card Authority on the membership form and return to your local Branch or National Office. If you join online no further paperwork is required. Payment is processed on the 16th of the month or the following working day.
For direct debit, fill in the Direct Debit Request on the membership form and return to your local Branch or National Office. If you join online, please print, sign & return the form to the National Office. The form can also be faxed or emailed to national@nteu.org.au. Payment is processed on the 15th of the month or the following working day.
For further information, please contact your local Branch office.
4. Are NTEU fees tax deductible?
Yes, your union fees are tax deductible.
If you pay through Payroll Deductions your employer will include the amount of union dues paid on your PAYG summary.
If you pay by direct debit, credit card or invoice, the Union will provide a statement of dues paid for tax purposes at the end of the financial year.
NTEU fees tax statements are not mailed out to current members. Login into your member record online to download your statement.
5. How do I change my payment method?
Use this form if you're already a member and wish to change the way you pay your fees.
6. What is the wording for the Direct Debit Request Service Agreement?
Direct Debit Request (DDR) Service Agreement
- This is an agreement between you and NTEU.
- Under this Agreement, you arrange to have deducted from your account, on the 15th day in each calendar month (working day), the appropriate amount of dues and levies, payable under NTEU’s Rules, to NTEU (the debit user). If you are uncertain as to when the debit will be processed please contact NTEU on (03) 9254 1910. These arrangements will not change, although the amount may vary in accordance with decisions of your elected NTEU Councils and Committees. You will be notified, in writing, of any changes at least fourteen (14) days prior to their implementation.
- For all matters relating to the Direct Debit arrangements, including deferments and alterations, you will need to send written correspondence to PO Box 1323, Sth Melbourne VIC 3205 and allow 10 days for the amendments to take effect.
- You may stop any Debit item or cancel a DDR with NTEU at any time in writing. All correspondence is to be addressed to NTEU General Secretary, PO Box 1323, Sth Melbourne VIC 3205.
- Should any dispute ever arise between you and the NTEU about your payments you should advise NTEU General Secretary in writing or by email in the first instance and, if necessary, NTEU will take advice from your financial institution.
- It is your responsibility to have sufficient clear funds to meet the costs of payment under this Agreement. NTEU, however, does not have a policy of recovering any penalty fees from members if debit items are returned unpaid by the ledger financial institution.
- Direct debiting through BECS is not available on all types of accounts; and account details should be checked against a recent statement from your financial institution. If uncertain, check with your ledger financial institution before completing the DDR.
- NTEU does not use your financial records and account details for any purpose except the collection of union dues and the information is only available to a small number of NTEU employees. The details may be provided to your financial institution if a claim was made against that institution of an alleged incorrect or wrongful debit.
Questions about benefits
1. What are the membership benefits?
Apart from the obvious benefits of union membership - industrial representation, workplace protection, having your voice heard, and standing with your colleagues to create a better tertiary education sector - NTEU provides a broad range of membership benefits in the form of discounts and special offers only available to NTEU members.
For a full listing, click here.
2. What is soft delivery?
Members can choose soft delivery of all national publications, meaning you will be emailed when any new publication is available. All publications can be accessed as online e-books and a PDF downloads.
To choose soft delivery for Advocate, Agenda and/or Australian Universities' Review:
- Log into this website with your username (membership number) and password
- Click on "Your Details"
- Click on "Publications & Communication Preferences"
- Select "Email Notification (Soft Delivery)"
3. What publications do I receive from the Union?
The Union's regular national publications are:
- Advocate, member's magazine, published 3 times a year (in March, July and November), free to all members.
- Frontline, women's journal, published once a year (August), free to all women members.
- Australian Universities' Review, academic refereed journal, published twice a year (Febraury and September) and free to members who opt-in. See www.aur.org.au for details.
All national publications are available with soft delivery.
Some Divisions produce regular newsletters. Please visit their relevant sites for details.
Branches produce regular newsletters and e-bulletins. Please visit their relevant sites for details.
Questions about getting involved with NTEU
1. How do I become a delegate or workplace representative?
A delegate is an active union member who is recognised in the workplace as the local union contact. The term ‘delegate’ is used to refer to a wide range of NTEU activists who might also be called departmental representatives, campus representatives, union contacts or something similar. Delegates play a vital role in being the two-way link between members in the workplace and other union structures, such as the local Branch Committee.
Delegates are not formally recognised under the NTEU Rules, and there are no formal mechanisms for becoming a delegate. An active union member might volunteer to be the local delegate, or they might be approached by the Branch Organiser of a Branch Committee member to consider being a delegate.
To be most effective, a delegate should have the support and respect of their union colleagues in that workplace. A good way to have this recognised is for a workplace meeting of union members to informally elect the local delegate.
The role of a delegate varies from Branch to Branch. There are some core tasks that delegates are well positioned to carry out and these include:
- Act as first point of contact for members including being clearly identifiable to members (door signs, email to colleagues).
- Approach new staff about joining the union.
- Distribute union materials and keep NTEU members in the area up to date on union activities, meetings & issues.
- Ensure there is a union noticeboard in the designated work area and union notices are kept up to date.
- Keep the Branch Committee/Delegates Coordinator informed about issues and problems that may arise in the work area.
- Keep the Branch Office informed of any members in your designated area that have left to ensure Branch records are as up-to-date as possible.
- Hold small work area meetings to get and give feedback on specific issues of interest to the union.
If you are interested in being a delegate in your workplace or finding out more information about what is involved, contact your Branch Organiser or a Branch Committee member.
2. How do I join the Branch Committee?
The local Branch is a key feature of NTEU. A ‘Branch’ is comprised of all NTEU members at an institution, as in the case of each university, or a group of institutions, such as the Victorian TAFE institutes.
Branch members directly elect a Branch Committee which is responsible for managing the Branch. The Committee is comprised of the President, Vice President(s), Secretary, an Indigenous representative and a number of ordinary Committee members. Committee members and delegates mostly operate on a voluntary basis, over and above their paid work.
Elections for the Branch Committee are held every two years (2010 is an election year), and any financial member of the Branch is eligible to nominate. Nominations are called for in May, with elections being held where necessary in July/August. The new Committee takes office on 1 October. Casual vacancies can be filled between elections by an appointment by the Branch Committee.
Broadly speaking, the Branch Committee’s role includes:
- Keeping in touch with members and promoting the work of the Union.
- Representing members’ interests.
- Recruiting new members.
- Involving members in the work of the Union.
- A range of administrative responsibilities for maintaining the Branch and office.
If you are interested in joining your Branch Committee or finding out more information about what is involved, contact your Branch Organiser or a Branch Committee member.
