Introduction to the ALP from the Australian Labor Party National Branch website

The Australian Labor Party is Australia's only national political party, with branches in every State and Territory. It is also Australia's oldest political Party, having celebrated its centenary in 1991.

The Federal Parliamentary Labor Party celebrated its centenary on 8 May, 2001.

The ALP is made up of a diverse group of people with common goals who work together to represent a range of interests and outlooks.

The Australian Labor Party has been a mainstay of political life in Australia for well over one hundred years. It is one of a small group of genuine labour parties around the world which provides for the direct affiliation of trade unions, incorporating them into the structure of the party. This distinguishes labour parties from social democratic parties, although many have common ideals and philosophies, and from other broadly-based progressive parties like the Democratic Party in the United States.

The only other parties which are strictly comparable with the Australian Labor Party are Britain's New Labour and the New Zealand Labour Party. The Scandinavian labour parties of Sweden and Norway are broadly similar, with local branches of unions affiliated with local branches of the party. Labour parties exist also in Canada, Ireland, and Israel. They are rare but, where they exist, they have been enduring and influential.

The Australian Labor Party maintains formal links with fraternal parties overseas through ongoing membership of the Socialist International. This supplements the close, bilateral ties the ALP maintains with counterparts around the world.

ALP membership explanation from the Victoria Branch website

There are two types of membership within the ALP:

Local Branch Membership - Local Branch membership requires you to join the party at a local branch meeting. As a branch member, after a qualifying period, you will have a vote in selecting candidates to represent the ALP in state and federal elections and you can participate in local branch meetings. All members can contribute to policy discussions, and assist the Labor Party in winning elections.

Central Branch Membership - Central Branch Membership enables you to join online or fill in the form and send or fax it in to State Office. Central Branch members have the same benefits of membership that local branch members have, however they can not vote in or nominate for election in internal party elections. Central Branch members can become local branch members by attending local branch meetings and transferring into that branch.

ALP websites

Please see the website of the Victorian Labor Party Branch.

Please see the website of the Australian Labor Party.