National Education Officer – Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU); Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 124,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary above range: $124,144.19–$132,9

Hybrid work from home / office model

13% superannuation

17.5% annual leave loading (pro rata)

Christmas shutdown leave

Job summary

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) is expanding its National Education Team and seeks a National Education Officer to design and deliver adult education programs, coaching, and mentoring for workplace leaders and officials across Australia.

Role involves travel, content development, and integration of campaigning with industrial relations experience to build workers’ power and leadership. Hybrid work and national travel supported.

Qualifications

• Experience as a union educator.
• Expertise in adult education, especially participatory learning techniques.
• Significant experience in training design and delivery (both formal and on-the-job).
• Strong coaching and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse groups.
• Ability to travel regularly (interstate and intrastate).
• Eligibility for a Fair Work Entry Permit.

Responsibilities

• Training Delivery: Design, develop, and deliver training programs to AMWU workplace leaders and union officials, including classroom and on-the-job training, with follow-up reinforcement.
• Coaching & Mentoring: Mentor and coach workplace leaders and officials to develop as effective union leaders.
• Content Development: Develop and adapt training content for organising, industrial relations, and campaigning.
• Autonomous Execution: Plan and deliver training independently, aligned with the Union’s goals.
• Travel for Training: Travel regionally and interstate to deliver training programs.
• Campaigning Integration: Integrate campaigning and IR experience into training content.

Skills

Union educator

Adult education

Training design & delivery

Coaching & mentoring

Communication

Travel readiness

Job description

National Education Officer
Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU)

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) is expanding its National Education Team and is looking for a new National Education Officer to play a critical role in building transformative power through education and knowledge sharing in organising, economics, politics, strategy, leadership skills, communications, training and organisational development.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) has a deep history and reputation of building and deploying the best educated organisers and delegates across the country. We understand our reputation and our success was not by chance – it’s the product of a strategic education program in the classroom and in the workplace.

Our national strategy and blueprint have solidified our ambition to build and deliver our education capacity stronger and better than ever. We strive to embolden and empower our members and delegates to create real change in their workplaces and communities, change that makes a difference in their daily lives.

An educated worker is an empowered worker. If you want to join us in transforming our workplaces and communities into knowledge centres for action, and building solidarity, we invite you to come work with us

Our Organisation

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) is a progressive trade Union dedicated to advancing the rights and wellbeing of manufacturing workers and their communities. AMWU members work in the metals trades, printing, paper industry, vehicle industry, food and confectionery industry as well as technical trades and professions.

At the AMWU we are driven by our values. We are democratic, inclusive, fair and respectful; we do what we say; and we work strategically, standing together as one to deliver outcomes for members. We pride ourselves on bold member-led campaigns that effect real change and build workers’ power.

The AMWU is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, women, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and LGBTIQ+ people.

About the Role

Position Title: National Education Officer
Classification: Officer 6 (or Officer 7 based on experience)
Job Function Group: Specialist Officer Stream
Hours: 38
Reports To: National Education Coordinator
Location: Granville, Sydney or Carlton, Victoria
Staff Responsibility: Nil

The Education Officer role is offered at Level 1 (or Level 2 based on experience). The Education Officer plays a pivotal role in strengthening union leadership across Australia by designing and delivering adult education programs, coaching, and mentoring tailored to workplace leaders and officials. With experience in Union education, your role is to plan and facilitate strong discussion, across organising, economics, politics, social issues, and leadership.

If you have the motivation, skills and experience to take up this work as National Education Officer, then we want to hear from you. We highly value experience in a union or membership organisation, but please apply if your experience has developed elsewhere and you’re able to demonstrate how your skills are transferable.

Responsibilities

Training Delivery: Design, develop, and deliver training programs to AMWU workplace leaders and union officials, including both classroom and on-the-job training, while ensuring follow-up programs are in place to reinforce learning.

Coaching & Mentoring: Act as a mentor and coach for workplace leaders and officials, providing guidance to help them develop as effective union leaders.

Content Development: Develop and adapt training content for a variety of areas, including organising, industrial relations, and campaigning, ensuring its relevance to current issues.

Autonomous Execution: Work independently to plan and deliver training, ensuring all content is aligned with the Union’s educational goals and strategies.

Travel for Training: Regularly travel regionally and interstate to deliver training programs, ensuring widespread access to educational resources across the Union.

Campaigning Integration: Integrate campaigning and industrial relations experience into training programs to ensure leaders are equipped to deal with real-world union challenges.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary at Officer level 6 or 7 of our salary structure ($124,144.19 – $ 132,906.70)
• The opportunity to engage in meaningful work that leads to real change for working people.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment.
• Opportunity to work with passionate advocates for workers’ rights.
• Generous working conditions including:
  o Monthly RDO
  o Hybrid work from home / office model
  o 13% superannuation
  o 17.5% annual leave loading (pro rata basis)
  o Additional Christmas shutdown leave

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Deep commitment to union values: justice, inclusion, equality, and social responsibility.
• Experience as a union educator.
• Expertise in adult education, especially participatory learning techniques.
• Significant experience in training design and delivery (both formal and on-the-job).
• Strong coaching and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse groups.
• Proven ability to plan and execute independently.
• Ability to travel regularly (interstate and intrastate) to deliver training and engage with union members.
• Eligibility for a Fair Work Entry Permit.

Desirable

• Recent experience in union organising or campaigns.
• Exposure to supply chain campaigning and training, with ability to weave these into course content.
• Proven understanding of Australian political, legal and civil society contexts.

Applications close: Monday 23 November 2026

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