Structural funding

AEU Victoria branch rules allow for funding to be provided to AEU sub-branches, regions and clusters.

Structural funding allows you to host an event for new or current members, or support other union-related activities. Decisions regarding expenditure must be approved and minuted at relevant sub-branch, region or cluster meetings.

Funds provided by the AEU to sub-branch regions or clusters are directly deposited in a bank, credit union or other financial institution. No funds will be provided to individual members.

All cheques or other instruments used to withdraw funds must be signed by two signatories on the account. 

Branch Executive sets policy on funding for sub-branches at its first meeting each year.

The current amount is $4.00 per equivalent full-time member‚ based on sub-branch, region or cluster membership, at the date the application is received. Any application received after 30 June is subject to a 50% reduction. An application must be received by 30 November.

Reps must complete and sign the application form in order to conform to audit requirements. No funds can be forwarded unless the form is completed.

The AEU pays funding via EFT direct credit to nominated bank accounts‚ so it is important the bank details section is completed.

Applying for funding

Ensure the following:

  • All bank statements and minutes of meetings approving expenditure are available.
  • The financial statement of income and expenditure is completed.
  • Bank statement or supporting accounts record is attached to the application.
  • The application is signed by two financial members of the sub-branch, region or cluster.
  • You have named the bank account and account number into which you wish the money to be deposited.
  • You provide an email address for receipt of payment from the AEU.

structural funding form

Update office bearer info

Funding details

The 2024 funding details are outlined below:

1. Sub-branches

That sub-branches be funded to the extent of $4.00 per equivalent full paying member upon receipt by head office of an appropriate financial statement. However‚ no funds shall be forwarded where the accumulated funds held by a sub-branch exceeds $20 per equivalent full paying member. Where those accumulated funds are between $15 and $20 per equivalent full paying member‚ only 50% of the full entitlement shall be remitted.

2. Regions

That regions be funded to the extent of $4.00 per equivalent full paying member. Except that any such entitlement shall be discounted:

  1. by 90% of funds held at 31 December of the previous year
  2. by any entitlement claim from any cluster attached to the region.

3. Clusters

That clusters shall be funded to the extent of $4.00 per equivalent full paying member. Such funding to be deducted from the appropriate regional entitlement. However‚ no funds shall be forwarded where the accumulated funds held by a cluster exceeds $20 per equivalent full paying member. Where those accumulated funds are between $15 and $20 per equivalent full paying member‚ only 50% of the full entitlement shall be remitted.

General

Applications received after 30 June will be subject to a 50% discount of entitlement. Applications for funding in a year must be received by 30 November. No structural funding applications received after 30 November will be processed. 

Note that applications (including supporting documentation) must be completed within the calendar year. 

In exceptional circumstances the Branch Secretary may waive these provisions.

Expenditure of funds

Sub-Branch, and Regional and Cluster funds must be spent in accordance with minuted decisions of the relevant structure.  Funds must only be used for:

  • administration costs
  • membership education programs
  • training, recruitment and retention strategies
  • endorsed AEU campaigns, or
  • endorsed charitable donations.

No Union funds shall be spent by structures in AEU Victorian Branch Election campaigns for any campaigning expenses including costs associated with printing and postage.

Advice on keeping accounts

Book-keeping

Keep it simple. Most transactions will be straightforward. A basic itemised record of the opening bank balance, income received and expenditure incurred needs to be maintained. 

If you are new to bookkeeping - use the application form for funding as a guide to summarising the financial information.

Keep all bank statements, tax invoices and receipts – we recommend reconciling the account monthly. Remember – the union auditor may call in the books for inspection, so these records must be kept for seven years.

A register must be maintained of minutes of meetings held which approve all expenditure recorded. This register should contain the date expenditure was approved and amount approved.

The AEU Victorian Branch financial year runs from January 1–December 31.

Cash management and banking

Any account run by a union sub-branch, cluster or region must reference the AEU and structure in its name.

For example:

  • Chaffey S.C. AEU Victorian sub-branch
  • Yarra Valley AEU Victorian region
  • Goldfield AEU Victorian cluster
  • Box Hill IOT AEU Victorian sub-branch.

Bank fees may cause your funds to diminish steadily. Your sub-branch should consider suitable means of funds maintenance, such as credit unions. 

Bank account opening

When opening a new sub-branch bank account with a financial institution, the bank account should be created with a two signatory requirement to access funds, so that there is greater security.

If you are having difficulty opening a new sub-branch bank account with a financial institution, please reach out to your union organiser or directly to [email protected].

Bank account changes

If a signatory to a sub-branch bank account is leaving the sub-branch, we strongly recommend that bank account signatories are updated prior to their departure.