The CFMEU is back in the headlines in November 2026. A royal commission in Victoria is hearing evidence about the union this week, and its former leader has just been expelled. If you have seen the name in the news and wondered what the CFMEU actually is, here is the plain-English answer.
Quick answer: what is the CFMEU?
The CFMEU is the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union — Australia’s biggest trade union for construction and maritime workers. It was formed in 1992, is based in Melbourne, and had about 132,000 members at the end of 2024. It negotiates pay and conditions for its members, pushes for safer building sites, and represents workers in disputes with employers. You can read more on the union’s official site, cfmeu.org.au.
What does the CFMEU do?
Like any trade union, the CFMEU’s main job is to look after its members at work. In practice that means:
- Negotiating pay deals. The union bargains enterprise agreements with building companies, setting wages, overtime rates, allowances and rosters for workers on big projects.
- Site safety. Union officials visit building sites to check safety standards, and the union pushes for proper amenities such as lunch rooms, toilets and shade.
- Standing up for members. If a worker is underpaid, unfairly sacked or injured on the job, the union can take up their case.
- Fighting wage theft. The union has campaigned against employers who underpay workers or dodge entitlements.
Because construction is one of the biggest industries in the country, and because so much of it is government-funded infrastructure, the CFMEU has long been one of the most powerful unions in Australia. It is affiliated with the ACTU and the Australian Labor Party, and it holds real sway in the Labor Left faction.
Who does the CFMEU cover?
The union is split into divisions, and each one covers a different group of workers:
- Construction and General Division — builders, concreters, scaffolders, crane operators and other on-site construction workers. This is the biggest and best-known part of the union.
- Manufacturing Division — workers in timber, furnishing and textiles. This division voted to leave the CFMEU in April 2025 and now operates as the separate Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union.
- Maritime Division (MUA) — wharfies and seafarers. The Maritime Union of Australia merged into the CFMEU in 2018.
The old Mining and Energy Division split away in December 2023 and is now a separate union. The union has offices in every capital city and in many regional centres, with its national office in Melbourne.
Why is the CFMEU in the news?
The union has been under a cloud since July 2024, when The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, 60 Minutes and the Australian Financial Review published allegations of corruption inside the Victorian Construction Division. Here is how events unfolded:
- August 2024: The federal government passed laws putting the Construction and General Division into administration for up to five years. Melbourne barrister Mark Irving KC was appointed administrator to clean up the division, investigate wrongdoing and rebuild its governance.
- May 2026: Irving stepped down after about 18 months in the role. He was replaced by veteran NSW union official Michael Crosby, who took over as administrator on 22 May 2026.
- November 2026: Victoria’s royal commission into the Big Build — the state’s huge infrastructure program — began hearing public evidence. The hearings are looking at a level crossing removal project at Gap Road in Sunbury, and at claims the union had unusual influence over government decisions on major projects. The hearings run until 20 November, just ahead of the Victorian state election on 28 November.
- 11 November 2026: Former CFMEU leader John Setka was stripped of his union membership after facing 27 disciplinary charges, including allegations he misappropriated more than $3 million. The union’s administrator, Michael Crosby, announced the expulsion. The allegations against Setka have not been tested in court.
It is worth keeping the allegations in perspective. What has been heard at the royal commission so far are claims and evidence from witnesses — the commission is still hearing testimony and has not made findings. The administration of the construction division continues while the clean-up is under way.
What happens next?
Three things are worth watching:
- The Big Build royal commission keeps hearing witnesses until 20 November, and its final report is due in August 2027.
- The administration of the Construction and General Division continues under Michael Crosby, with the division expected to stay under administration until its governance is rebuilt.
- The Victorian election on 28 November will be fought partly over the Big Build program and the union’s role in it, so the CFMEU is likely to stay in the news for weeks yet.
Frequently asked questions
What does CFMEU stand for?
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union.
How many members does the CFMEU have?
About 132,000 members as at the end of 2024, making it one of the largest unions in the country.
Is the CFMEU still under administration?
Yes. The Construction and General Division has been under administration since August 2024. The administrator is Michael Crosby, who took over from Mark Irving KC in May 2026.
What is the Big Build royal commission?
It is a Victorian royal commission examining the integrity of major public infrastructure projects in the state, including whether the CFMEU had improper influence over government decisions. Public hearings began in November 2026.
Can I join the CFMEU?
If you work in construction, maritime, timber or a related trade, you can apply to join through the union’s website. Membership fees depend on your division and earnings.
