It is a member and founding union of Rugby Australia, known as the Australian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) at the time of its founding.

It has the largest player base, biggest population, most suburban clubs, and the oldest running club rugby competition in the country.

The southern areas of New South Wales encompassing the Monaro, Far South Coast, and Southern Inland unions are not affiliated with the NSWRU.

However, it does include major cities and towns, making up roughly two-thirds (and/or more) of the state.

Such cities and towns include: Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst, Lismore, Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, and Sydney.