About the ASU

These brochures summarise the who, what, why and when of the ASU plus information about coverage, a directory of Branches and a summary of National Office roles. Useful & quick guides to the ASU:

• Download 'About the ASU' PDF
• Download 'About the ASU National Office'

Taking Back Control: A Community Response to Privatisation

Released in October 2017, this report is a collaboration arising from the People's Inquiry into Privatisation, an initiative of the Public Services’ International (PSI) affiliated unions in Australia which in addition to the ASU include the CPSU, NSWNMA and ETU. Other partners include: Per Capita, ActionAid and the ACTU. Read about the report and/or download the report PDF and/or the report summary PDF.

Not So Super, For Women: Superannuation and Women’s Retirement Outcomes

Released in July 2017 (updated August 2017), this report represents a partnership between the ASU and Per Capita, the progressive think tank. It examines retirement security prospects for Australian workers and proposes recommendations to fix the unacceptable super gap. Read about the report and/or download the report PDF.

Reasonable, necessary and valued: Pricing disability services for quality support and decent jobs

This report was commissioned by the ASU, United Voice and the HSU to examine the ability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to provide decent jobs for disability support workers. The report was produced by a University of New South Wales-led research team. Read about the report and/or download the report PDF.

Our Local: a history of local government services and building community resilience

The report contains material aimed at highlighting the need for more adequate funding of council services as well as the need for an increased understanding and appreciation of the role of local government in communities. Download PDF

The Privatisation Betrayal: losing the things we value

This report prepared by the ASU brings together Australian and international research on privatisation to illustrate the detrimental impact it can have. The report discusses key aspects of privatisation which are of particular concern to Australian communities. In addition to detrimental impacts on finances, selling public assets can have negative impacts on local democracy and social equity. Download PDF

Outsourcing & Insourcing in Australian Local Government - by Professor Brian Dollery

ASU commissioned report questioning the benefits of privatisation (aka outsourcing, contracting-out, offshoring). Read news: "New report shows local government outsourcing costs communities much more". Full title: "Outsourcing and Insourcing in Australian Local Government: Productivity Commission's (2014) - Public Infrastructure Report and Municipal Road Maintenance and Renewal". Download PDF

Employment Services: not just a job - Final Report

As part of "Employment Services - not just a job" project we conducted a national survey of employment services workers. This survey assisted us to report the concerns of workers to other stakeholders, including the Government. The final report outlining the results and conclusions from the survey can be found here. Download PDF

A national plan to address the workforce crisis in the social, community and disability services industry 2009

The social and community services industry is facing a workforce crisis. Unless immediate action is taken, the industry will not have the workforce needed to deliver the services required to ensure that the most disadvantaged or marginalised can fully participate in society. Download PDF

It's your call: improving Australian call centres for workers - 2009 survey report

This booklet contains the analysis of data from the ASU survey of call centre workers conducted in late 2008 to early 2009. Download PDF

Quality public services - opportunities to address climate change in Australia

A discussion paper on the impact of climate change and the role Australia's local, public services can play as the nation adapts to a climate constrained future. Download PDF

Corporate Social Responsibility and Decent Work

If corporations are serious about their social responsibilities, their agenda must not just be confined to "good deeds" in the community, but to socially responsibly as well as productive and socially sustainable utilisation of our country's most precious resource - its people. Download PDF

Building Social Inclusion in Australia: priorities for the social and community services sector workforce - discussion paper

The ASU prepared this research as a starting point for further community and sector consultation about the issues that confront social and community services sector workers. Download PDF

Building Social Inclusion in Australia: priorities for the social and community services sector workforce - recommendations for stronger social and community services

The ASU prepared this recommendations report arising from the related discussion paper (see above) and a large survey of SACS workers carried out through the middle of 2007. Download PDF

We need more superannuation: discussion paper and bargaining support resource

This is a resource designed to assist members and their union reps to include increased superannuation contributions as part of their claims on employers in agreement negotiations. Download PDF

Workers feeling the pinch as drop in real wages take their toll

A report that reveals that workers including receptionists, administrative assistants, and call centre workers are living from paycheque to paycheque with many resorting to desperate measures to get by. Download PDF