About Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA
Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is uniting Australian unions with workers worldwide to stand up for dignity at work, social justice, economic equality, and human rights.
But we can’t do it alone. Change happens when we take action together. Together, we can create a fair and just world.
Through strong unions, vibrant social movements and real accountability, we’re building global solidarity and supporting communities in times of crisis.
Your involvement—whether by joining our movement, attending events, or making a donation—directly strengthens the fight for fairness and equality across borders.
Stand with us. Join the movement. Donate today.
Our Values, Governance, History & Media
Solidarity
Our approach is rooted in solidarity. Solidarity that builds connections between people and across borders is key to building organised movements for equality, development and justice. Our on-the-ground assistance aims to address the causes of injustice and inequality, not the symptoms
Equality & Justice
We challenge the dominant myths of development aid. Charity and depoliticised humanitarian assistance is inadequate in addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice. Conservative or autocratic governments and corporations create a world in their own image, where the wealth and power of the global ‘one percent’ grows hand-over-fist. Our work centers on the demands of the 99%.
Movement Building
We help build democratic civil society, social justice movements, and representative organisations of workers, women, farmers, young people, people with disabilities, refugees, and others – so they can define and fight for their rights and against power structures that seek to oppress them. Organised movements of people make change possible, by exerting political pressure for just solutions.
Accountability
We aim to be accountable to the local organisations we work with internationally and the people they serve, to our members, to the Australian union movement, government and donors. We are fully accountable for the funds we receive. We seek the most effective and strategic way to deploy funding – by addressing causes not symptoms – and involve partner organisations in reviewing programs while working for continual improvement.
Partnership
Working in partnership is the cornerstone of our approach. We aim for joint action with local partner organisations directed at meeting practical needs with movements on the ground – by supporting the building blocks that enable movements to emerge or become stronger, such as organisation, campaign capacity, education, research, and skills development.
Our Governance
Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is an Australian Company Limited by Guarantee, and a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). It has a governing Board that meets four times a year, and its Board members are either appointed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) or elected by its members.
Media & Public Statements
Our people are available for interviews, comments, information, and case studies. Our communications organiser can put you in touch with the relevant spokesperson.
Contact:
media@apheda.org.au or +61 2 9264 9343
Our History
In 1983, a young Australian nurse named Helen McCue, a committed member of the Australian Nursing Federation took a proposal inspired by her experience in the refugee camps in the Middle East to the then ACTU President Cliff Dolan. Helen proposed the establishment of a global justice organisation in Australia.
Annual Reports
Our Annual Reports highlight our solidarity in supporting workers and communities to build their collective power and defend their rights. You can read 42 partner unions and organisations in 14 countries across Southeast Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Southern Africa and the projects and campaigns we undertake.
Do Global Justice. The Union Way.
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