TWU Future of Work Campaigner

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU); Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

TWU is seeking a Future of Work Officer in Sydney CBD to conduct research on trends in transport work, develop policy briefs, and support campaigns for safer, fairer work conditions.

The role involves monitoring policy developments, coordinating with legal and campaigning teams, and engaging with members to ensure worker voices are central in strategy and reforms.

Qualifications

• Research, policy analysis, and campaigning experience in a relevant field.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Understanding of unions, industrial relations and employment law.
• Strong analytical judgement, attention to detail and practical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and analysis on future-of-work trends, opportunities and risks for transport workers.
• Develop policy briefs, reports, submissions, campaign materials and internal advice to support the TWU’s strategic vision.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, industrial and technological developments in Australia and overseas relevant to future-of-work issues.
• Support the legal, industrial and campaigning teams to assess how transport reform laws and other regulatory mechanisms can be used to secure standards and protections.
• Prepare high-quality written materials for senior officials, member briefings, government engagement and stakeholder meetings.
• Engage with members, delegates and union colleagues to ensure worker voices are central to proposed solutions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant union, industry, political and academic stakeholders.
• Assist in preparing for inquiries, consultations, hearings, meetings and negotiations by coordinating background research and talking points.
• Contribute to strategic planning on the future of transport work by identifying policy risks and opportunities.

Skills

Research & policy analysis

Written communication

Evidence gathering & synthesis

Industrial relations knowledge

Analytical judgement

Stakeholder engagement

Labor values & human rights

Deadline management

Initiative & discretion

Tertiary qualifications

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

• Based at TWU National Office
• Work Type: Full Time, Part Time may be considered
• Location: Sydney CBD
• Applications Close: 27th September 2026

Description

The Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (TWU) is one of Australia’s leading campaigning trade unions, holding some of the biggest companies in the world to account over their treatment of workers, such as Qantas, Amazon and the supermarket giants.

The TWU represents workers across the road transport industry including employees, owner drivers and gig economy workers, as well as aviation workers above and below the wing. We have an ambitious agenda to lift standards across the road transport and aviation industries through member-led collective action to hold wealthy retailers, manufacturers, oil companies, airports and airlines to account for the treatment of workers in their supply chains.

The TWU has led the charge in highlighting and tackling exploitation in the gig economy, winning world-first laws to set minimum standards under a specialist road transport division of the Fair Work Commission. We have recently secured a commitment from the Federal Government to create an Aviation Industry Coordination Council as part of our Safe and Secure Skies campaign.

The transport industry is on the cusp of enormous transformation with plans to decarbonise and moves to introduce automated vehicle technologies. It is crucial that transport workers share in the benefits and do not bear the risks of these changes. We are seeking a Future of Work Officer to support the union in understanding and tackling these challenges and possible opportunities.

As this is a new role, we are keen to hear from interested candidates with experience in union campaigning, research, policy development, advisory, legal and industrial roles, as well as subject matter experts on decarbonisation or ethical technology deployment.

The Role

• Conduct research and analysis on future-of-work trends, opportunities and risks for transport workers.
• Develop policy briefs, reports, submissions, campaign materials and internal advice to support the TWU’s strategic vision and Our Roads, Our Skies, Our Future campaign.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, industrial and technological developments in Australia and overseas relevant to future-of-work issues and responses.
• Support the legal, industrial and campaigning teams to assess how transport reform laws and other regulatory mechanisms can be used to secure enforceable standards and protections for current and future transport workers.
• Prepare high-quality written materials for senior officials, member briefings, government engagement, public campaigns and stakeholder meetings.
• Engage with members, delegates, and union colleagues to ensure worker voices are central to proposed solutions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant union, industry, political and academic stakeholders.
• Assist in preparing for inquiries, consultations, hearings, meetings and negotiations by coordinating background research, evidence summaries, questions, talking points and follow-up actions.
• Contribute to strategic planning on the future of transport work by identifying policy risks, campaign opportunities and practical measures to protect jobs, safety, wages, conditions and worker voice and to ensure workers share in the benefits of industry change.

Key skills required for the role

• Research, policy analysis, legal/policy, campaigning or other relevant experience in a relevant field.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Ability to gather, assess and synthesise evidence from diverse sources.
• Understanding of unions, industrial relations and employment law.
• Strong analytical judgement, attention to detail and practical problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with members, officials and stakeholders.
• Commitment to labor values and human rights.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Initiative, discretion and sound political judgement.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience.