The Hospital Employees' Federation of Australia traces its history back to 1911 when it operated under the name of the Hospital and Asylum Attendants & Employees' Union. In 1914 the name was changed to the Hospital Dispensary and Asylum Employees' Union of Australia and again in 1930 to the Hospital, Dispensary and Asylum Employees' and Allied Government Officers' Federation of Australia. In 1946 the name was changed to the Hospital Employees' Federation of Australasia which became the Hospital Employees' Federation of Australia in 1959. In January 1991, the Hospital Employees' Federation of Australia amalgamated with the Health and Research Employees' Association to form the Health Services Union of Australia. Following formation of the HSUA, the Australian Capital Territory Branch of the Hospital Employees' Federation of Australia became the ACT No.1 Branch of the HSUA.