At its founding Congress, NACTU adopted principles that would guide it through its various stages of the working class struggle and policies that are subject to change with changing circumstances.

2.1  Principles.
The following are the principles that guide NACTU and serve as its foundation.

2.1.1   Non-racialism

NACTU believes that workers are workers irrespective of colour, creed and ethnic origin and share the same exploitation by employers.  Apartheid employers have used racism as a ploy to divide the working class and weaken its struggles.

2.1.2   Worker Control

NACTU believes that a union is formed to advance and defend the interest of workers, officials are only employees of the union.

All committee and structures of the unions and the Federation should be composed by the workers.  This principle is enshrined in the NACTU constitution.  All delegates from affiliates it is a requirement that they should be workers.  The constitution defined in terms of clause 3.1 as "bona fide Union" means a union which has a constitution, and no less that 100 members, and  is controlled by its members"

Clause 7 of the NACTU constitution for unions that are members or seeking membership provides for a copy of the current constitution establishing.

"7,2.1.1 democratic workers control at all levels and structures of the union

7.2.1.1 no voting rights for paid officials"

This is the constitutional test that all NACTU affiliates must stand up to.

2.3  Working Class leadership

This principle, requires that the leadership of NACTU should have the genuine class interests of working people.

2.4  Financial Accountability

Within unions and the Federation, Accountability on finances is an important principle that must be implemented through regular financial statements and annual audits.  This takes place within NACTU through the Central Committees and Congress.

2.5  Non affiliation to political organisations

NACTU believes that workers join unions because of the material condition at their workplaces not because of party political preferences. No workers should be denied trade union membership because of party political affiliation.  In addition, NACTU at its 1990 Congress took a decision that NACTU office-bearers can not be office-bearers of political parties.  This however, does not bar NACTU office-bearers from belonging to political parties of their choice and participation in activities.

2.6  Autonomy of Affiliated Trade Unions

Affiliated trade unions are free to carry out their activities without interference by Federation or its officials.  This principle applies as long as a union operates within NACTU principles and constitution.

These principles have served as a bedrock of NACTU in hence with clause 6.1.7 of the constitution that says "to promote the principles of independence and democratic trade unionism and to ensure its acceptance by the community and society as a whole in a manner coincide with the preamble and to ensure permanent co-operation to achieve common goals"