The Australian Broadcasting Commission Staff Association was registered under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act on 31 October 1938. On 28 February 1985 the name was changed to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Staff Union. In 1989 the union amalgamated with the Administrative & Clerical Officers' Association and the Australian Public Service Association to form the Australian Public Sector and Broadcasting Union, Australian Government Employment (generally known as the Public Sector Union). The ABC Sub-branch of the Public Sector Union handled the ABC issues.

Created through an amalgamation of the Australian Public Service Association, the Administrative & Clerical Officers' Association, Australian Government Employment and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Staff Union in 1989, the Australian Public Sector & Broadcasting Union, Australian Government Employment was reregistered in 1991 following a further amalgamation with the Meat Inspectors' Association.