The Rail, Tram, and Bus Industry Union (RTBU) is an Australian trade union representing rail, tram and bus workers. The RTBU is affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Australian Labor Party.
Internationally, the RTBU is affiliated with the International Transport Workers' Federation. It has a membership of 35,178 as at December 2025.
History The union's history goes back to 1861, with the formation of the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association in Victoria. The Public Transport Union was formed on 1 March 1993 through the amalgamation of four long-standing transport unions: the Australian Railways Union, the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees, the Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees' Association and the National Union of Rail Workers of Australia. The amalgamation created one union for public transport workers for the first time in Australia. It adopted its current name in 1998.
Structure The RTBU is organised into National Divisions, covering Infrastructure; Rail Operations; Tram and Bus; Locomotive; Workshops and Salaried and Professional. There are seven state branches, with the National Office located in Sydney: New South Wales Queensland South Australia and Northern Territory Victoria Tasmania Western Australia
Gallery
See also
Railway trade unions in Australia
References
External links
Rail Tram and Bus Union (Queensland Branch) Rail Tram and Bus Union (NSW Branch)