As part of a compromise between the party's left and right, a new membership category will be created to allow associate members to join without being a member of an affiliated trade union.

Associate members will be able to participate in party sub-branches and other activities but won't be entitled to vote in internal ballots.

Existing rules requiring union membership have not been enforced by all party officials signing up new members in the past and delegates arguing for the change said it was time for Labor to stop turning away potential recruits.

The conference heard a significant number of potential members had been lost to the Greens and even the Palmer United Party under the existing rules, reducing the diversity and effectiveness of the ALP membership.

The category is expected to be in place at least until the party's 2015 national conference debates how to broaden membership.

Further debate about links to affiliated trade unions was referred to the party's national policy forum as left-aligned members argued the Abbott government posed too great a threat to the union movement in the short-term.

ACT branch secretary Elias Hallaj said the debate had been lengthy and detailed but reflected the importance of the union movement to the Labor Party.

"We're working to grow a bigger party," he said. "It is expected that a new national rule will be adopted in 2015 to give more people the ability to join as full members of the ALP without being a union member.

"In the meantime, anyone can join as an associate member, attend meetings and participate in seminars and campaign activities."

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and her successors will be subject to a new style of direct election following Saturday's conference.

Replicating a system introduced by former prime minister Kevin Rudd to reduce the influence of factional leaders in the federal party, rank and file members will have a 50 per cent say in choosing the party leader and other officials including president.

A 50-50 split will take place between members and the ALP caucus in the Legislative Assembly.
Ms Gallagher and party president Senator Kate Lundy both supported the change.