For everyone 7 things that can affect your union fees
Your AEU membership fees – or union dues – are based on your job role, sector, and how many days a week you work. This makes things equitable for everyone.
There are a number of factors that might affect how much you pay. It’s important that you’re paying the correct fees, so you will be covered if you ever need to seek industrial or legal help. We also want to make sure you’re not paying too much!
Here are seven things that can impact on your union dues:
1. You increase or reduce your time fraction
If you’ve been working part time, and decide to go back full time when your kids start school, your membership fees will increase in proportion with your salary. It’s important to let us know when this happens so that you still get access to industrial and legal support.
Maybe you’re close to retirement and you decide to drop a day of work. In this case, your fees will reduce accordingly.
2. You go from contract work to casual or CRT work
We know that CRT work isn’t always guaranteed, which is why our fees are much lower for members in casual employment. Make sure you let us know when you become a CRT so that we can put you on the special rate. (While you’re at it, check out our member-only CRT Facebook group.)
3. You go on unpaid leave
If you take a period of unpaid leave, you can pause your AEU membership fees for the duration of your leave and you will still be covered if you need advice. This is particularly important for women who go on unpaid maternity leave – you may need us to help you negotiate flexible hours or breaks when you return to work.
If you resign from the union and re-join, we can only provide limited phone support for any issues that arose during the period you were not an AEU member.
4. You go on leave at half pay
If you take a period of leave at half pay, let us know! We’ll also reduce your membership fees by half. This means you can take that much-needed overseas holiday and know that your union will still have your back should you require any support.
5. You go on sabbatical or take a job in the independent sector
Just like when you go on unpaid leave, you can pause your AEU membership fees. Let us know when you’re back working in the public education sector, and there will be no waiting period to receive assistance.
For members using the sabbatical leave entitlement under the VGSA – you pay full fees during the period where you are accruing your sabbatical leave. Then when you actually take your leave, you pay no fees.
CRTs, we have a reciprocal arrangement with the Independent Education Union Victoria, so you can choose which union you would like to join and be covered across public and independent sectors.
6. You go on WorkCover
When you go on WorkCover, and are in receipt of WorkCover payments, you continue to pay your AEU fees. When your rate of payment drops to 80% of your salary then your fees will also drop by 20%, and will continue to drop as your WorkCover payments decrease.
7. You retire
Many lifelong AEU members wish to support our work when they retire. You can take out an Associate Membership for less than $70 per year, which gives you four hard-copy issues of AEU News magazine and allows you to support our campaign activities. If you would like to take out an Associate Membership, please email our friendly team at [email protected].
Remember, it’s your responsibility to notify us of any changes to your membership within 28 days of the change occurring (although it’s preferable that you let us know in advance).
The best way to ensure that you are paying the correct fees is to let us know when your employment or leave details change. You can contact the Membership Centre on 03 9417 2822, email [email protected] or update your details via your member dashboard.
Being an AEU member is about standing together with nearly 50,000 other public educators, working towards a better future. We want to be there alongside you in every step of your career.
