The United Mineworkers' Federation of Australia was formed by an amalgamation of the Australasian Coal and Shale Employees' Federation (which had existed since 1916) and the Federated Mining Mechanics' Association of Australasia (which had been formed in 1929). In 1992 it amalgamated with the Australian Timber and Allied Industries Union and the Building Workers' Industrial Union of Australia (which had amalgamated in 1991) to eventual form the Mining and Energy Division of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union.

The Constuction Forestry Mining and Energy Union is the result of a series of amalgamations during the early 1990s. Prior to amalgamation there were numerous unions spread across construction, forestry, mining and energy industries. Those unions amalgamated along industry lines to form each of the divisions of the CFMEU. Each division operates autonomously, with its own membership, executive, resources, industry policies and campaigns. These divisions date as far back as the mid-nineteenth century and include such notable unions as the Australasian Coal and Shale Employees' Federation (the Miners' Federation), the Building Workers' Industrial Union of Australia, the Australian Timber Workers' Union, the Federated Furnishing Trade Society of Australasia, the Operative Plasterers' Federation of Australia, the Operative Painters' and Decorators' Union of Australia, and the Federated Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Association of Australasia.