The union was formed in 1915 and registered in 1916 originally bringing together three State unions: the Passenger and Goods Lift Attendants' Union of New South Wales (1909), the Watchmen, Caretakers and Cleaners' Union of New South Wales (1910), and the Watchmen, Caretakers and Male Office Cleaners' Union of Victoria (1913). It amalgamated with over 50 unions in its long history including unions representing billiard markers, undertakers' assistants, hairdressers, watchmakers, dental technicians, photographic employees, ambulance employees, and sailmakers. Its final amalgamation was with the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia to form the Australian Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union in 1992.

In 1910 the Victorian Liquor Trades Union met with other interstate brewery unions to form a federated union, the Federated Liquor Trade Employees' Union of Australasia. The union expanded its membership into allied industries to cover hotel workers, restaurants, clubs, caterers, boarding houses, yeast and vinegar factories and canteens. In 1918, in order to reflect this expansion the union was renamed the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australasia. In 1958 it changed name again to the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia. In 1992 it amalgamated with the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union to form the Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union.

The Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union was formed in 1992 as an amalgamation of the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia and the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia. Further amalgamations were with the Pastrycooks, Bakers, Biscuitmakers and Allied Trades Union in 1993, the Ambulance Employees' Association of Victoria in 1994 and the Bakery Employees and Salesmen's Federation of Australia in 1995. It was also known as the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union or LHMU. It was renamed United Voice on 1 March 2011.

On 11 November 2019 the National Union of Workers and United Voice merged to create the United Workers Union.

The Pyrmont Sugar Works Employees' Union was also known as the Sugar Works Employees' Union and was registered as such under the New South Wales Trade Union Act on 9 July 1901.

The North Australian Workers' Union was formed in 1927 when two previous unions were deregistered: the Northern Territory Workers' Union which had formed c. 1913 and the North Australian Industrial Union which dated from 1923. The union amalgamated with the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia in 1971 and was deregistered in 1972.