The History of HACSU and Unions in Tasmania

From foundation to today

HACSU has a long and proud history dating back to the early 20th century, where a group of health professionals from Victoria and New South Wales banded together to fight for the creation of a wages board for the health sector.

At the time, many nurses, attendants, surgeons and doctors were paid under charity rates, and had to work over 65 hours a week and in conditions questionable even by the standards of the early 1900's.

Since those humble days, HACSU has grown to become a successful fighter for working rights, whilst the Tasmanian union movement now holds the highest percentage of membership of any state in the Commonwealth.

In this section, you can find everything you need to know about the founding of HACSU, as well as Tasmanian unions' rise from its convict roots to a force for the common good.

Our History

From humble beginnings to today's era

What we know as HACSU today began life as the Hospital and Asylum Attendants and Employees' Union in 1910 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Since then, the union has grown and evolved over tmme into the modern day entity that we know today.

You can click on the button below to find out more about our proud history.

Read about the history of HACSU

Tasmanian Union Movement

The rise of a powerful force for good

The union movement in Tasmania is as old as the former colony and state itself, and has grown to become the largest membership as a percentage of any state or territory in Australia.

It wasn't always smooth sailing, with unions having to adapt and respond to two world wars, a depression, and issues unique to Tasmania such as convict transportation.

Find out more on how the Tasmanian union movement has grow to be a strong leader of working rights and representation by clicking the link below.

Learn about the history of Tasmanian unions