Cancel Together Union: The Right Way

How to cancel your Together Union membership and reclaim your rights

What is Together Union and who it serves

Together Union is a Queensland-based branch of the Australian Services Union that represents workers across public and private sector roles, including health, education, corrections and allied health fields. The organisation negotiates enterprise agreements, provides industrial advice, and offers member benefits such as legal support, professional indemnity insurance and access to training programs. If you've been a member but no longer need the representation or benefits, you have an absolute right to resign. Tocancel is here to guide you through the process with clarity and confidence.

Who joins Together Union

Together recruits members from public sector agencies such as hospitals, schools and correctional facilities, as well as private sector employers in allied health, clerical and related fields. Members pay ongoing fees that fund industrial advocacy, legal services and negotiated member discounts. Your decision to leave is personal and yours alone. Tocancel recognises that circumstances change, and you deserve a straightforward cancellation experience.

What membership includes

Together membership typically covers industrial representation during workplace disputes, access to trained workplace advocates, legal assistance for employment matters, professional indemnity insurance options, and negotiated member savings with partner retailers and services. Some members also contribute to special levies that fund specific insurance or legal cost protections. Understanding exactly what you're paying for helps you decide whether you genuinely need to cancel or simply adjust your coverage level.

Your consumer rights under australian law

Before you resign, understand your legal position and what protections apply to union membership cancellations in Australia.

Trade union membership and australian consumer law

Trade union membership does not automatically fall under the Australian Consumer Law cooling-off rights that apply to retail purchases or online subscriptions. This means you typically do not have a legislated 14-day right to change your mind after joining. However, Together's own constitution and fee schedule may include specific resignation conditions or windows. Check these documents first. Your legal position is straightforward: you can resign from a union, but the process and any refund entitlements depend on Together's rules and your employment circumstances.

Consumer authorities who can help you

If Together refuses to process your cancellation or disputes a refund you believe you're entitled to, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 1300 794 088 or visit www.fairwork.gov.au. In Queensland, you can also escalate to the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman. Tocancel strongly recommends documenting all your communications with Together-emails, letters, phone call dates and times-before you escalate to these authorities, as they will ask for a clear record of your attempts to resolve the issue directly.

Together Union membership fees at a glance

Together's fees vary by employment classification, sector and coverage type; the union publishes a downloadable fee schedule rather than fixed online prices.

Should you cancel your Together Union membership

Before you submit your cancellation, assess whether you truly need to leave or whether you can adjust your membership.

Reasons to cancel

You may have legitimate reasons to cancel: you've changed employment to a role where Together doesn't represent workers, you've retired or left the workforce, your workplace has negotiated a different union arrangement, or the cost of membership no longer justifies the benefits you receive. You may also cancel if you disagree with the union's industrial direction or have a dispute with the organisation that remains unresolved. Whatever your reason, your right to resign is protected.

Alternatives to cancellation

Before you cancel, consider whether you can adjust rather than abandon your membership. Together may offer reduced-fee associate membership, voluntary contributions instead of fixed levies, or temporary suspension options if your employment changes. You can also reduce or modify insurance components without cancelling entirely. Contact Together directly to explore these options. In many cases, a conversation with membership services may reveal a solution that costs less than full cancellation and reinstatement later.

How to cancel your Together Union membership

Together requires written resignation to formally end your membership; the organisation does not process cancellations by phone or online portal.

Cancellation by mail

This is the primary method Together accepts for membership resignation.

1. Gather your membership details: your full name, membership number (found on any Together correspondence or pay slip deduction advice), and the date you wish your resignation to take effect.
   • Request your membership number from Together's membership team at 1800 177 (Queensland freecall) if you don't have it.
2. Draft a formal letter of resignation addressed to the Together Union Secretary.
   • State clearly: "I resign as a member of Together Union, effective [date]."
   • Include your full name, membership number and current contact details.
   • Keep the letter brief, professional and factual.
3. Print and sign the letter in blue or black ink.
   • A digital signature or typed name is not typically accepted; Together requires original signed correspondence.
4. Post your letter to Together Union's registered office address (see the address section below).
   • Use registered mail or a tracked delivery service so you have proof of posting and delivery.
   • Keep a copy of your letter and the postal receipt for your records.
5. Allow 7-10 business days for processing after Together receives your letter.
   • Contact Together after this period if you haven't received written confirmation of your resignation.

Cancellation by phone (limited option)

While Together prefers written resignation, you can initiate the process by calling their membership team on 1800 177 (Queensland freecall) during business hours. Explain that you wish to resign and request they post a resignation form for you to sign and return, or ask them to send you a template letter. Make a note of the call date, time and the name of the staff member who assists you. This creates a paper trail if disputes arise later. However, Tocancel recommends following up any phone conversation with a written letter to ensure your cancellation is formally recorded.

What happens after your cancellation

Once Together processes your resignation, several things occur: your membership formally ends on the effective date you specified, you cease to receive member benefits and legal support, and your industrial representation with Together ends.

Confirmation and final documents

Together should send you written confirmation of your resignation within 14 days of receiving your letter. This confirmation will state your effective resignation date and any final fees or refunds due. Keep this confirmation indefinitely; you may need it if your new employer questions your union history or if Together contacts you for outstanding fees. If you don't receive confirmation within 21 days, contact Together's membership team directly.

Fee deductions and final payments

If your fees are deducted from your pay, notify your payroll department of your resignation date. Ask them to cease deductions from your next pay period after your resignation takes effect. If you resign mid-month, Together may deduct a pro-rata final fee for the days you were a member. Request an itemised statement of any final charges. Tocancel advises checking your next three pay slips to confirm that Together fee deductions have stopped.

Refunds and financial entitlements

Union membership refunds are not automatic; what you receive depends on Together's constitution and when you resign.

When you may receive a refund

You may be entitled to a refund if you overpaid fees before your resignation took effect, if special levies were collected but not yet spent, or if your workplace agreement specifically provides for membership refunds on termination. However, Together typically does not refund standard membership fees already paid. Any refund will be calculated as a pro-rata amount from your resignation date onwards. Tocancel recommends requesting an itemised breakdown of any refund calculation before you accept it.

How to claim a refund

In your resignation letter, explicitly state: "I request that any overpaid fees or applicable refunds be paid to my nominated bank account." Provide your account details (BSB and account number) or request that Together mail a cheque. Together will process refunds within 28 days of your resignation becoming effective. If you don't receive a refund within this timeframe, or if Together refuses one you believe you're entitled to, escalate your complaint to the Fair Work Ombudsman with copies of your resignation letter and Together's response.

Common mistakes people make when cancelling

Cancelling a union membership can feel daunting, and it's easy to make missteps that delay the process or create disputes.

Not sending your resignation in writing

Many members attempt to cancel by phone or email, only to find that Together treats the conversation as informal and continues to deduct fees. Together's rules require written, signed correspondence. A phone call is a conversation; a letter is proof. Always send your resignation by mail, keep a copy, and retain the postal receipt.

Failing to specify an effective date

If you don't state when you want your resignation to take effect, Together will apply its own timeline, which may be the end of the month or the end of the financial year. This delays your benefit cessation and extends your fee liability. Be explicit: "effective immediately" or "effective 30 June 2025." Clarity eliminates ambiguity.

Not requesting confirmation

Some members post their resignation and assume it's been processed, only to discover months later that they're still paying fees. In your letter, write: "Please confirm receipt and processing of this resignation in writing within 7 days." This obligation ensures Together acknowledges your letter formally.

Discarding your records

Delete nothing. Keep your resignation letter copy, postal receipt, any acknowledgment from Together, and pay slips showing when deductions ceased. If Together later disputes your cancellation or tries to collect outstanding fees, these documents are your evidence. Tocancel has seen disputes resolved in days when members presented clear documentation.

How to keep your membership or adjust your coverage

If you're uncertain about cancelling completely, consider these alternatives before you resign.

Escalating a dispute if Together refuses to cancel

If Together contests your resignation, refuses to process it, or continues charging fees after your effective date, you have formal recourse.

Step one: written complaint to Together

Send a formal complaint letter to Together's management, separate from your resignation. State the date you submitted your resignation, the effective date you specified, and the problem (continued fees, refusal to acknowledge, etc.). Request a written response within 7 days. Together has internal dispute procedures; use them first. Keep this letter and any response.

Step two: escalation to the fair work ombudsman

If Together ignores your complaint or refuses to resolve it, lodge a formal complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman. You can do this online at www.fairwork.gov.au or by calling 1300 794 088. Provide your resignation letter, the dates of your communications, and evidence that Together has not resolved the issue. The Ombudsman can investigate and compel Together to honour your cancellation. This is a free service, and Tocancel recommends using it if Together becomes uncooperative.

Checklist: resigning from Together Union

Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step of a clean cancellation.

Contact details and address for cancellation

To submit your formal resignation, send your letter to Together Union at the address below. Use registered mail and retain proof of posting.

Together Union (Queensland)
Secretary
[Together Union registered office address, Queensland]
Telephone: 1800 177 (Queensland freecall)
Website: [Together Union official website]

If Together does not publish its postal address online, contact them on 1800 177 and request the Secretary's mailing address. Do not resign via email unless Together explicitly confirms in writing that email resignations are accepted. Written, signed correspondence by mail remains the safest method.

Final takeaway: you have the right to resign

Resigning from Together Union is your right, and the process, while formal, is straightforward. Follow the steps outlined here: write a signed letter specifying your effective resignation date, send it by registered mail, keep your proof of posting, notify your payroll department, and retain all documents. If Together disputes your cancellation or continues to charge you, the Fair Work Ombudsman is your escalation point. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions, memberships and services by standing firm on their rights and documenting every step. Your circumstances have changed, and so can your membership status. You are in control-act with confidence, follow the process, and hold Together accountable. Tocancel is here to remind you that clarity, documentation and persistence resolve even the most difficult cancellations.