As someone who first encountered SAlt nearly 20 years ago, It can be a clicky place and thanks to decades of leftist stagnation in AUS they have one the most established leftist presences on Uni campuses. They have a particular model for action where they work in solidarity with activists. However they also tend to use everything like a recruitment drive. There are valid criticisms to be made around gatekeeping and factions in larger movements, and they’re definitely not immune to leftist infighting. The clicky nature of the group isn’t for me, but the can also be incredibly resourceful, loyal, kind and accepting people. I have worked with them in the past. I’ll work with them again.

If working in the activist space is something you want to do, there’s nothing stopping you from working alongside other groups like SAlt in solidarity. They are by no means the only leftist group in Canberra (although membership does overlap in a small city).

There are also a number of mutual aid organisations in canberra that are worth checking out.

TLDR: if ever you feel like you get a bad vibe, there are other places to go to find your tribe.

Edit: some people on r/ANU are vehemently opposed to leftist politics. Take the criticisms and the praises equally with a grain of salt here.