Member benefits
Your union membership pays for itself by giving you access to a range of direct benefits and services.
Please check the details of our member benefits insurance program carefully as there are some exclusions and terms and conditions.
AMWU Care
Need to talk? We’re here to listen.
Things get tough sometimes. It’s okay to ask for help. We support members throughout your working lives. That means both the ups and the downs. You might be having work-related or financial stress. There might be things going on at home. You could just be feeling down and not able to shake it, or you’ve got health problems on your mind. Whatever is going on, AMWU Care can help.
AMWU Care is a 100% free and confidential phone counselling service for members run by trained professionals.
Who can access the service?
AMWU members and their immediate family can use AMWU Care anytime. There is no limit on how often you can call. Your name and the details of your call are never disclosed to the union, your family or your employer.
Who runs AMWU Care?
We’ve proudly partnered with Hunterlink to provide the first ever telephone support line for union members.
Get in touch
Give AMWU Care a call on 1800 206 316.
Interpreter services are also available – just let Hunterlink know when you call.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking on the phone, a WhatsApp service is available on +61 439 382 204.
Helpdesk
Got questions about your pay, hours or leave?
Helpdesk is a free and confidential information service. Speak with trained professionals for help with any workplace questions or problems.
Call 1300 732 698 | Email amwu@amwu.org.au | Use the online contact form
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8AM – 8PM AET
Friday: 8AM – 5:30PM AET
Please note: Helpdesk is for any queries or concerns about workplace issues. If you need support, counselling or just someone to talk to without judgement, you can call AMWU Care on 1800 206 316. AMWU Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days and is free for members and their immediate family. It’s run by trained, professional counsellors and completely confidential.
Journey accident insurance
Members and their families now have a safety net if they suffer loss of income due to being injured on the journey to and from work.
Journey accident insurance is available to full fee paying financial members via Coverforce Insurance Broking.
This benefit does not replace previous workers compensation arrangements. It provides an alternative program with the following benefits:
- Weekly Accident Benefit up to 85% of a member’s weekly wage to maximum of $1,500 per week
- Waiting period of 14 days
- Maximum payment period is 104 weeks
- No death benefit with this insurance offer – please consider your personal requirements
Who is covered?
To be entitled to the benefits of the policy you must be an eligible financial member of the AMWU and be paying full dues. It is important to note that you must be a full member of the Union at the time of the accident to be covered under this policy.
Pre-existing conditions are not insured.
This benefit does not apply to retired members or life members.
Am I required to take all my sick leave or any other leave before I can claim?
As there is a 14 day waiting period you may want to use sick pay or annual leave/RDO’s accruals during this period. Following the first 14 day waiting period, if you are eligible, income benefits will be paid to you.
Can I claim for any medical expenses incurred as a result of the Accident?
No – this is income protection insurance if you are unable to work due to an accident travelling to or from work. It is not medical insurance.
Exclusions
As with all insurance, there are some exclusions and restrictions including the following:
This benefit is not available where alcohol and/or drugs (other than a drug taken or administered by, or in accordance with the advice of a legally qualified medical practitioner) were a contributing factor or where there are more alcohol or drugs involved than the law permits.
This benefit is not payable to otherwise eligible members or their immediate family as defined above over the age of 70 years.
This benefit is not available arising out of a deliberately self-inflicted injury.
Making a claim
This insurance policy is managed by Coverforce.
You can contact them directly with any questions or for assistance on 1300 503 503.
More info
Visit the Coverforce website for policy, information and documents, as well as how to claim.
Emergency transport benefit
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) provides an emergency transport benefit to all eligible financial members of the union, including immediate family. Please note you must be a financial union member to claim this benefit.
This benefit is immediately payable to eligible financial members who are unable to receive financial assistance for emergency transportation through a legislated scheme, a health insurance policy or any other insurance policy.
Due to the nature of state schemes, this benefit is not eligible to be claimed by members in Queensland or Tasmania. Compensation shall be limited to a maximum of $5,000 per Insured Person / Financial Member in any one Insured Period.
This benefit excludes inter-hospital transportation.
Important Information
Emergency Transport means:
The necessary transportation by Emergency Transport, in circumstances of injury or sickness, to the nearest available hospital which is equipped to deal with the nature of the emergency; or
Treatment by Emergency Transport staff.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible you must be a financial member of the AMWU at the time that Emergency Transport was used. This is a member who has paid full, current dues. You or your immediate family must have used the emergency transport.
This benefit does not apply to retired members or life members.
Is my family covered?
Yes. Immediate Family includes your spouse (including de-facto) and any immediate dependents of the Eligible Financial Member.
Immediate Dependent includes the Eligible Financial Member’s unmarried dependent children who are under 19 years of age and living with the Eligible Financial Member, or who are under 25 years of age and are full time students at an accredited institution of higher learning and are primarily dependent upon the Eligible Financial Member for maintenance and support.
This includes stepchildren and legally adopted children.
Exclusions
As with all insurance, there are some exclusions and restrictions including the following:
- This benefit excludes inter-hospital transportation.
- This benefit is not payable to otherwise eligible members or their immediate family as defined above over the age of 70 years.
- This benefit is not available in circumstances where injury or death arises from suicide or attempted suicide.
- This benefit is not available where alcohol and/or drugs (other than a drug taken or administered by, or in accordance with the advice of a legally qualified medical practitioner) were a contributing factor or where there are more alcohol or drugs involved than the law permits.
Making a Claim:
Claims are administered through Coverforce: 1300 503 503.
All information is available at the Coverforce AMWU Webpage.
You can also download and fill out the claim forms to lodge with CoverForce:
Emergency Transport Cover Claim Form
*Emergency transport benefit is not available in QLD or TAS where members have access to state-based schemes.
Funeral benefit
The AMWU established a funeral benefit to cover all eligible financial members and their immediate family. The policy provides worldwide protection with a benefit of up to $5,000.
In the event that there is an injury or sickness that results in death, the benefit pays costs associated with:
- Funeral and/or cremation expenses.
- Repatriating the insured person’s body or ashes to their country of residence following their death.
Who is eligible?
You must be a financial member (paid current dues in full) of the AMWU to be eligible. You must have been a financial member at the time of death as well as the time of claim.
This benefit does not apply to retired members or life members.
Is my family covered?
Yes. Immediate family includes a member’s spouse (including de facto) and any immediate dependants* of the eligible financial member. This includes stepchildren and legally adopted children.
*Immediate dependant is defined as the eligible financial member’s unmarried/non-de-facto dependent children who are under 19 years of age and living with the eligible financial member; or who are under 25 years of age and are full time students at an accredited institution of higher learning and are primarily dependent upon the eligible financial member for maintenance and support.
Exclusions
This benefit is:
- Not payable to otherwise eligible members or their immediate family as defined above over the age of 75 years.
- Not available in circumstances where injury or death arises from suicide or attempted suicide
- Not available where alcohol and/or drugs (other than a drug taken or administered by, or in accordance with the advice of a legally qualified medical practitioner) were a contributing factor or where there are more alcohol or drugs involved than the law permits.
Making a claim
This insurance is offered through CoverForce. For questions, advice or to make a claim, you can contact CoverForce directly on 1300 503 503.
DOWNLOAD FUNERAL BENEFITS CLAIM FORM
For more info visit CoverForce.
Union shopper
Union Shopper is a 100% union-owned organisation, run solely to benefit members.
It uses the collective power of unions to provide great savings and services to members and their families.
Union Shopper is available to financial AMWU members, including financial retired members, in participating branches.
To start saving, follow the link for your branch* and create an account:
*This does not include members in Victoria.
For more information, contact your branch.
Benefits include discounts on electrical items, new cars, discounted gift cards, movie tickets, wine, travel, entertainment, finance and much more. Not to mention hundreds of offers available for entertainment and leisure activities.
By making one relatively large purchase or a few smaller purchases through Union Shopper, you could easily receive savings in excess of your annual union fees.
The Electrical Purchasing Service is one of the most popular money-saving services, providing you with commercial pricing at both The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi. Register on the Union Shopper website and create an account to check out the pricing.
If you’re looking to secure your next new car at the best possible price, remove the stress of negotiating with car dealers and let the Motor Market team do the work for you, from your initial enquiry through to delivery, including all optional extras.
From insurance to theme park tickets, groceries to wine, and car servicing to holiday costs, Union Shopper has a huge range of discounted products and services for you to enjoy.
Superannuation
The AMWU supports our members to get the best possible superannuation for their individual circumstances.
Industry super is run only to benefit fund members. Their funds have low fees and don’t pay commissions to financial planners.
We support and partner with the following funds:
Australian Super | Media Super | CBUS | Spirit Super
Group income protection
Many AMWU EAs include group income protection.
This is an insurance policy taken out by an employer on behalf of workers, protecting their income in the event of total or partial disability, caused by accidental injury or sickness. Unlike workers compensation, the illness or injury doesn’t need to be related to work to be covered.
We’ve endorsed WageGuard by UCover, a join venture between Coverforce and the AMWU.
Visit WageGuard for more info.
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