The Australian National University General Staff Association was founded in 1953 to cover all non-academic staff members at the ANU. It was registered in Canberra under the Companies Act but not registered under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. In 1968 the association reasoned that other unions could represent the interests of non-academic staff at the University so changed its focus to become a welfare organisation. In 1973 the association changed its name to the Staff and Welfare Association and focused on staff policy and promotions, parking, and amenities among other issues.