Major unions which have divisions aligning with the left and right:.
- Communications, electrical and plumbing union (CEPU).
- Transport workers union (TWU).
- Health services union of Australia (HSUA).
- Australian services union (ASU).
These affiliated trade unions have actually comprised much of the party membership and also has been a major contribution to the financing of the party. The trade unionists are also, affiliated to the State branches which means that they can win selection to State executives and onto federal bodies. The trade unionists and parliamentarians relationship has usually been more strained than anything else and has so been the case as early as the 1890's, when the Labor party had first formed. The politicians have also been accused of ignoring the trade union's demands and wishes after being elected to office. Unions have often become a problem for the party by causing certain conflicts in areas of interest and because they are closely affiliated with the ALP, the conflicts and problems of the unions also become conflict and problems of the ALP.
Factions within the ALP have actually become so established that the majority have recognisable members who meet regularly and keep minutes of meetings. They also have membership fees, handout newsletters as well as elect office holders and people to discuss issues with other groups. The key factional operators hold positions of strong influence only for the reason that they have stance in the larger party.
The role of factions within the ALP during the 1980's and the 1990's has undoubtedly contributed greatly to the development as well as the change within the party. Factions were and still are important to the Labor party for the fact that it has helped assist in negotiations from group to group with reasonable outcomes instead of individual people fighting and arguing with one another because they cant come to an agreement.