Workers at Darwin Port have voted unanimously for protected industrial action, setting up a series of escalating stoppages from Saturday 7 November in a dispute over a new enterprise agreement.

What the unions want

The protected action ballot was returned on Friday 30 October. According to the Maritime Union of Australia, workers are seeking annual wage increases of 5% over a four-year agreement, a $5,000 sign-on payment and employer superannuation contributions two percentage points above the statutory minimum. The union says it has already agreed to a four-year term ending on 30 June 2030 and is prepared to accept changes to the agreement’s coverage clause, provided there are safeguards against new job titles being used to move workers outside it.

The MUA says the port recorded EBITDA of $42.4 million, up from $34 million the previous year, and points to Darwin’s annual inflation rate of 5.2% in the 12 months to September, against 4.3% nationally.

“Our members want a fair pay rise and their conditions protected,” MUA Deputy National Secretary Warren Smith said. “Darwin Port are penny pinching on the back of a 25% increase in revenue. Port workers keep Darwin Port operating. They deserve a fair agreement.”

MUA NT Branch Secretary Andy Burford said: “Darwin Port has an opportunity to resolve this dispute before action begins. There is still time to avoid industrial action.”

The planned action

In a statement on Monday 2 November, Darwin Port said the MUA Division of the CFMEU and the Australian Maritime Officers Union had notified it of the following action:

  • 7 November: 24 consecutive one-hour stoppages from 12:01am.
  • 8 November: consecutive four-hour stoppages from 12:01am.
  • 9 November: two consecutive 12-hour stoppages from 12:01am.
  • 10 November: 24 consecutive one-hour stoppages from 12:01am.
  • 11 November: one 24-hour stoppage from 12:01am.
  • From 7 November: a ban on non-rostered overtime, with no end date.

The port’s response

Darwin Port said cargo operations and vessel movements would continue with minimal interruption, and that its offer, which includes annual wage increases recognising cost-of-living pressures, had been agreed in principle by employees in mid-June.

“Our team is well-remunerated and enjoys excellent working conditions, with union engagement only occurring during agreement bargaining periods,” chief executive Peter Dummett said. “We remain open to constructive discussions with employees and the unions to resolve the outstanding issues and reach agreement.”

For importers and exporters using the Top End’s main port, the next week is worth watching closely. Businesses with time-sensitive cargo may want to talk to their freight forwarders now about contingency plans, even with the port’s assurance of business as usual.

Sources: Maritime Union of Australia media release (30 October 2026); Darwin Port media release (2 November 2026); Daily Cargo News.