Former union official Kathy Jackson spent union funds on luxuries such as fine dining, valuable artwork and expensive toys over eight years, a raft of documents presented to the Federal Court have revealed.

The Health Services Union (HSU) is suing Ms Jackson, claiming the former national secretary misappropriated more than $1.3 million of union funds on personal expenses.

The union alleges Ms Jackson set up her own personal slush fund, into which she funnelled funds from her HSU East branch.

The civil trial is proceeding despite Ms Jackson failing to attend court and her lawyer withdrawing from the case last week after she declared bankruptcy, leaving her without legal counsel.

Receipts shown to the court revealed the extent of Ms Jackson's alleged misuse of union funds - including expensive cameras, an extensive collection of DVDs, and a Charles Blackman charcoal artwork bought at auction for more than $4,000.

An itemised dinner bill bearing Ms Jackson's signature at exclusive Melbourne eatery The Press Club showed big spending on food, French champagne, and wine worth $2,200.

The union also said Ms Jackson paid for holidays and divorce proceedings with money from the cards.

Barrister Mark Irving, acting for the HSU, scrutinised about $340,000 worth of Ms Jackson's work credit card spending, saying items such as staff gifts or a coffee with colleagues were not reasonably union-related.

He also outlined the alleged purchases of more than $2,000 for interior furnishings and PlayStation games.

Other food and liquor purchases "clearly show" Ms Jackson purchasing family groceries, Mr Irving alleged.

Ms Jackson withdrew 'vast wads' of union cash: court

Ms Jackson set up the National Health Development Account in 2003.

The union said Ms Jackson used the account to hold union funds entirely under her control.

Some money paid for holidays, and withdrawals on the account also appeared to match deposits into Ms Jackson's personal and mortgage accounts, Mr Irving told the court.

He said some or all of about $100,000 withdrawn from the account was spent on Ms Jackson's divorce proceedings, court documents show.

The court heard Ms Jackson was earning $170,000 a year as national secretary and received a $63,000 honorarium from the union's Victorian branch, which the HSU wants back.

Mr Irving told the court Ms Jackson withdrew "vast wads" of union cash.

He alleged she cashed cheques, gave branch committee of management members $100 each at meetings and pocketed the rest, despite saying the money was returned into a union kitty.

Ms Jackson wrote to the court to say she could not afford to be represented at the trial and that the matter was now a claim against her estate.

She has denied any wrongdoing.

The trial is expected to end on Thursday.

Lawyers for the Royal Commission into Trade Union Corruption and Governance have called for Ms Jackson to face criminal charges over the affair.

ABC/AAP