It coordinates political, social, economic, and industrial campaigns between its affiliate members and implements the policies of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in South Australia.

[5] A United Trades and Labor Council meeting with the purpose of creating an elections committee was convened on 12 December 1890, and held on 7 January 1891.

Originally known as the United Labor Party of South Australia, the party enjoyed immediate success, electing parliamentarians just four months later, and immediately held the balance of power with 10 of 54 seats resulting from the 1893 election, allowing radical liberal Charles Kingston to defeat the conservative John Downer government.

Kingston served as Premier of South Australia for a then-record of six and a half years, usually implementing legislation with Labor support.

The United Trades and Labour Council was central to fundraising and building support for the creation of the Port Adelaide Workers Memorial.