Three construction officials who deliberately broke workplace laws at sites in Queensland and Victoria have cost their union close to $577,000 in fines, in what the Federal Court has described as "disgraceful and shameful" behaviour.

The Victorian case centred around the behaviour of Nigel Davies and Alex Tadic, who both refused to show their entry permits on the Bendigo Theatre construction site in 2014.

The court heard Mr Davies told one manager to "f*** off" while Mr Tadic engaged in a "loud, rude, aggressive and abusive" manner.

Justice Richard Tracey fined the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) $271,500 for the breaches, while Mr Davies received a $19,000 fine.

Mr Tadic was given a $7,500 fine.

Justice Tracey said the union had failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing.

"The union has adopted the attitude that it will not comply with any legislative constraints placed on its operations with which it disagrees," he said.

"Such an approach is an anathema in a democratic society."

The Australian Building and Construction Commission said the behaviour of the officials was unacceptable.

"The union officials, rather than simply producing their entry permits when asked to do so, opted to engage in abusive and threatening behaviour," the commissioner, Stephen McBurney, said.

"It is a matter of serious concern that Victoria Police resources had to be diverted to the site because of the unlawful conduct of both union officials," he said.

David Hanna squirted water at a manager who filmed him. ( AAP: John Pryke )

In the second case, the Federal Court upheld a $306,000 fine previously imposed on the union for the behaviour of union official David Hanna, who entered a worksite in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane in 2015.

The court heard Mr Hanna showed his middle finger to a site manager when he was asked for a permit.

When another manager started recording him, Mr Hanna squirted water at him before issuing a threat.

"Take that phone away or I'll f***ing bury it down your throat," he said.

He later told one manager that "I can do what I like".

Justice Tracey said the union treated penalties as a cost of "pursuing its industrial ends".

"The union simply regards itself as free to disobey the law," he said.

Justice John Logan said the penalty was a "cruel necessity", expressing the hope it would spark the union to change its behaviour because it could not expect to "remain registered in its existing form".

Justice Logan said Mr Hanna showed "unrepentant, outlaw behaviour".

"The statement … 'I can do what I like' is pregnant with these features, as is each other of his studied refusals to leave the site when requested," he said.

The ABC has contacted the CFMEU for comment.