Australian Social Enterprises

"Koolyangarra" Preschool Aboriginal Corporation operates an early childhood education service in New South Wales, primarily serving Indigenous children. Its social impact focuses on providing foundational learning and cultural support, fostering development and school readiness within the Indigenous community.

100 Story Building is a Melbourne-based social enterprise that fosters creativity and literacy in children and young people, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. They achieve this through engaging workshop programs, online learning, and publishing initiatives, aiming to build essential literacy skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging for future success.

2ND SHOT is a Queensland-based social enterprise that provides hospitality training to individuals experiencing homelessness and long-term unemployment. It operates by selling food and beverage products, with revenue funding its training programs. This initiative aims to equip beneficiaries with vocational skills and employment opportunities, fostering self-reliance and pathways out of disadvantage.

GOODWILL ENGINEERING is a unique business specialising in a wide range of building hardware that services both housing and commercial construction. With over 50 years of experience in the building industry we provide quality products to the community. Goodwill Engineering is located in Malaga WA. CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE is a recycling scheme out to reduce the amount of drink containers that end up as landfill. We have two sites across the Perth Metropolitan area located in Midvale and Bibra Lake. Ability WA has been providing services for people living with disability for over 70 years, giving us the experience and expertise to assist people of all ages with a broad range of support needs. Fully NDIS registered, we are one of the few providers with a comprehensive range of services – therapy, accommodation, equipment, support and employment services – and teams that can work across these services. We provide services across the Perth metropolitan area. We can provide therapy services in a home, community or school location or alternatively, you can choose to come to one of our Ability WA hubs in Currambine, Coolbinia or Canning Vale or use our teletherapy service. Our in-home support services and Opportunities program can be delivered in your home, anywhere in the Perth metropolitan area. Our services include finding and keeping a job, supports in employment, customised employment, Disability Employment Services and school leaver employment supports. Our focus is to empower people with disability to achieve their employment goals and aspirations by providing opportunities for work, work experience, training and skill development in professional environments across a range of workplace settings. We endorse the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Disability Employment Service (DES) expectation of inclusive workplaces that offer practical and productive environments with access to career pathways.

Aboriginal Interpreting WA Aboriginal Corporation (AIWA) likely provides interpreting services for Aboriginal languages in Western Australia. Its social impact involves facilitating crucial communication, enhancing access to essential services for Indigenous communities, and fostering cultural understanding.

The Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation supports and promotes Aboriginal arts and cultural practices across regional New South Wales, providing platforms for Indigenous artists to showcase their work and preserve cultural heritage. Its initiatives create economic opportunities, foster community connection, and enhance wellbeing through artistic expression and cultural education. By doing so, the corporation contributes to the empowerment and social inclusion of Aboriginal people and broader regional communities.

AbSec is the NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation, indicating its role as a representative body for Indigenous children, families, and communities in New South Wales. Its social impact likely involves advocating for improved welfare, support, and outcomes for these groups.

Access Industries provides a supportive and professional workplace that creates opportunities for people with disabilities achieve economic and community participation through meaningful employment. All employees of Access Industries receive training and support to deliver quality products and services for our commercal customers. As part of its commitment to providing quality services, Access Industries employs skilled Training Officers and Welfare Officers to provide or organise additional training and support for its supported employees (i.e. employees who have a disability). This enables supported employees to optimise their work potential and personal skills, and for those wishing to do so, helps to prepare them to move on into open employment. We provide services for people with disabilities in employment related areas. In doing so we create opportunities for our supported employees to develop personal and workplace skills to increase their social and financial independence.

The Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) is the peak body representing and supporting the social enterprise sector in Queensland. It fosters a community of purpose-driven businesses that reinvest profits to create jobs, promote inclusion, and address community challenges, thereby driving positive social, cultural, and environmental impact across the state.

As a not-for-profit community organisation, Achieve Australia has provided services and support with integrity, commitment and passion since 1952 for people with a disability to achieve a life that is meaningful and valued. We do this by facilitating the learning and maintenance of life and work skills, the development of relationships, the ability to make life choices and participation in community activities. Achieve Australia’s My Career services create opportunities for people with disability to learn, succeed, earn income and feel fulfilled through having a satisfying career and meaningful work. Paid employment facilitates independence, self-respect and opportunities to become fully contributing members of the community. It also enables My Career customers, volunteers, and the community in general to learn how people with disability are contributing to business and society through their skills and productivity, and financial independence. Achieve Australia’s My Career services benefit supported employees and their families by:• Equipping people with skills, confidence and qualifications• Helping to identify career and skill development options• Providing training and work experience opportunities• Offering travel training• Providing guidance on writing an impressive resume• Conducting training on successful recruitment interview techniques My Career provides workers with the individual supports and services they require so they can focus on their skill development, roles in the workplace, and enjoyment of a productive team environment.

Activ has a strong and proud history of supporting people living with intellectual disability to reach their goals, achieve their dreams and break through barriers. Established in 1951 by a small group of motivated families who joined forces to build a better future for their children living with intellectual disability. Activ has grown into one of Western Australia’s leading not for profit, disability service provider. About ActivToday, Activ supports more than 2,000 people living with disability and their families across the state, offering a range of person centred services and supports including:• Accommodation• Employment• Community• Education and Training• Short-term Accommodation• Behaviour Support Services Activ provides meaningful employment to more than 160 people living with disability across metropolitan and Southwest regions. Activ social enterprises delivers a complete property care service for commercial customers, horticulture services such as indoor plant rental and a timber manufacturing business that produces quality pallets and crates to a large number of well know commercial customers.Working with Activ gives you access to on-the-job training to focus on practical and soft skills in the work place and opportunities to complete nationally recognised qualifications through our registered training organisation (RTO), Activ Pathways.

Adapt Mentorship Indigenous Corporation is an Indigenous organisation that provides mentorship services, although the specific nature of its programs is not detailed. It aims to deliver social impact through supporting Indigenous individuals or communities. The organisation's social impact is likely focused on promoting Indigenous empowerment and self-determination.

ADHD WA provides essential resources, support, and information to individuals with ADHD across Western Australia, aiming to improve their well-being and empower them to learn, strive, and thrive. The organisation fosters an inclusive community, equips individuals with practical skills, and advocates for better understanding of ADHD.

AGA is one of Australia's largest Group Training Organisations, specialising in employing, training and placing apprentices and trainees across multiple industries. With 35 years of experience, they deliver vocational education and employment services, supporting disadvantaged job seekers and providing workforce solutions to employers.

Aliera Heritage Arts and Culture Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal heritage, arts, and culture. Its primary social impact likely involves cultural revitalisation, community engagement, and supporting Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners.

ParaQuad Industries is an Australian Disability Enterprise based in Shenton Park WA. We provide general packaging, bulk breaking and repetitive assembly services as well as picture framing and courier services. We also manufacture rag wipers and recycle donated goods through sale in our three Op Shops and through export. Each year ParaQuad Industries collects and recycles about 1,500 tonnes of donated used goods, approximately 75% of which are diverted from landfill. This assists local governments and provides metropolitan residents a convenient way of disposing of unwanted items. ParaQuad Industries provides a wide variety of meaningful employment and social interaction opportunities to all of our supported employees in a modern facility. We enable the transition to open employment where appropriate and encourage eligible employees to upgrade their skills by sponsoring advanced training for them.

The Alliance of First Nations’ Independent Education and Training Providers (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation) is an Indigenous corporation that likely serves as a peak body or network for First Nations-led education and training organisations. Its primary social impact is to support and strengthen Indigenous-controlled education, fostering self-determination and skill development within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Alliance of NSW Aboriginal Community Controlled RTOs is an organisation that supports and strengthens Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisations in New South Wales, contributing to improved vocational education and training outcomes for Aboriginal people and fostering self-determination in the education sector. This organisation aims to empower Aboriginal communities through education and training. It likely works to address the unique needs of Aboriginal people in NSW.

Amplifier Collective is a Victorian-based social enterprise consultancy that helps organisations maximise their social impact through advisory services, engagement strategies, facilitation and training. They work with businesses, government and not-for-profits to build capacity for social procurement, reconciliation action plans, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.

Apurtu Group Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous corporation based in the Northern Territory that aims to support the economic and social development of Aboriginal communities. The organisation works to create employment, education, and cultural initiatives that empower Indigenous people and strengthen community resilience. However, without detailed activity information, its specific programs and impact outcomes are not publicly documented.

Arts Project Australia supports artists with intellectual disabilities by providing studio programs, promoting their work through exhibitions, and advocating for inclusion in the contemporary art sector. The organisation enables artists to create, exhibit, and sell their art while building social connections and economic opportunities.

We might have a new name, but we’re not the new kids on the block. You once knew us as House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation – two great organisations, with over 100 years of combined experience, who came together in 2018. Yes, we’re a disability service provider, but we’re also so much more. We’re the helper, mentor, coach, and trusted partner of around 5000 people with a disability throughout the east coast of Australia. We’re also proud to employ nearly 400 people with a disability across our seven businesses. From packaging and facility services to delicious biscuits and a working avocado and macadamia farm, our businesses offer quality products and services whilst advocating for Australians living with disability. All our Businesses are Social Enterprises certified by Social Traders. Meaning we are profit for purpose! We are sustainable and commercially competitive, but we exist for the sole purpose of creating meaningful, enjoyable employment for people with disability. We know that our Businesses are productive, creative, innovative, and great at problem solving. But work with us and find out for yourself! By including people with disabilities into your supply chain you help to increase their exposure to corporate sourcing, whilst improving employment, training, and social inclusion opportunities. Aruma is committed to participating in the communities in which we operate. We strive to increase local spending and create jobs for local suppliers and contractors. In 2022, our Businesses contributed over $17.3 million into the economy and for every dollar invested into an Aruma businesses there is a $2.05 return on investment to our local communities via improved incomes for employees, disability support pension savings and increased economic activity of carers. There are numerous benefits to employment such as improved relationships, self-reliance, and self-esteem. And, supported employment with Aruma gives people with a disability opportunity to learn new skills, get work experience, meet new people, work on their career goals, and earn an income. Our employees can work in different roles throughout our businesses including gardening, administration, biscuit manufacturing, tour guides, cooks and more. We never use a one-size-fits-all approach - supporting people to live a great life, the life they want, the life they choose!

ASTERIA is a proud diverse organisation, offering tailored disability support and commercial services to the residents of central Victoria, with operations based in Maryborough and Bendigo.ASTERIA provides a comprehensive range of services, including individual and programs of support, in-home and community-based assistance, respite and accommodation services, support coordination as well as children and youth support. Our supported employment program underpins our commercial services, which are available to the community and local businesses.At ASTERIA, we are dedicated to removing barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering individuals to make their own choices. Through inclusive services and employment programs, we strengthen community connections and promote social participation, helping individuals thrive while contributing to a more equitable and supportive society. ASTERIA’s supported employment program empowers individuals with disabilities by providing meaningful work opportunities in a safe, inclusive environment. Employees gain practical job skills, soft skills like communication and teamwork, and health and safety knowledge through tailored training. This fosters independence, confidence, and career growth. Families benefit from the stability and sense of purpose these roles provide, knowing their loved ones are supported and valued.

Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) is a for-purpose social enterprise established in 2013 in Victoria that supports rural communities by building entrepreneurial capability and capacity. ACRE helps young people and emerging entrepreneurs develop skills to create opportunities that rejuvenate rural Australia through training, workshops, and accelerator programs.