While the ASU has a single national identity, the union continues to operate in a practical sense through a number of separate state branches.

Union activities are structured into "industries": local government, energy and utilities, airlines and transport, social and community services, information technology, and clerical and administration employees.

Under the ASU's federal rules, all local government employees are eligible to join the union.

In NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania the ASU or its affiliated state registered unions are the dominant local government unions and represent members in both blue collar or wages areas and white collar or salaried staff.

When these responsibilities were assumed by state government instrumentalities, both the MOA and MEU retained coverage of employees.

The union covers a diverse range of employees in the non-profit community sector, including charities.