Australian Social Enterprises

Newara Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous not‑for‑profit organisation based in New South Wales that works to improve social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities through culturally appropriate services and programs. The corporation strives to empower Indigenous individuals and families by fostering education, health, employment, and cultural wellbeing.

This Indigenous corporation focuses on community development and employment initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Cairns region. Its primary goal is to foster economic participation and enhance the overall wellbeing of Indigenous communities.

Weve been part of the Tumut community for over half a century. In that time, it has been our privilege to give people the support they need to lead fuller lives, gain satisfying work, and show the world at large the true potential of their hearts, minds and bodies. Valmar supports people with disabilities to live and work in their own communities. This enables families and communities to remain connected, it enables real economic participation by people with disabilities, it enhances local employment for support staff and also enables unpaid carers / parents to have a life outside of their caring / support roles. Employees with disabilities are engaged in secure, well supported, meaningful and locally relevant employment that provide a range of vocational opportunities and career pathways. Being not-for-profit Valmar reinvests all proceeds from our Disability Enterprises back into these businesses to achieve improved pay and conditions, better work environments and more productive work processes and equipment.

Ballina Shire Council is located in the Northern Rivers of the Far North Coast of New South Wales. It covers an area of 485 km² with a population of approximately 41,000 (2011 Census). We have a prosperous economy based on building, retail, tourism, hospitality, agriculture and education. Our services and facilities include numerous open spaces, two public swimming pools, three libraries, a number of community spaces, a community art gallery, and a regional airport providing numerous daily jet services between Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle. Working with a regional community that is progressive, innovative and creative, our Council strategies and services are designed to deliver an outstanding lifestyle for our residents, workers and visitors. We are also mindful that as we are in one of the fastest growing regions in Australia we need to protect what we have now while planning for the future.

Gumnut Place was established in 1986 by a group of families/friends of people with disabilities. Our business includes provision of 5 business units:A wood workshop which manufactures heat treated hardwood/pine pallets suitable for export, blasting and survey pegs. A commercial kitchen supplying daily deliveries of cakes, slices, biscuits to a local supermarket and catering for meetings, forums and private catering. A commercial laundry with long standing contracts to launder work wear for the local mine as well as other weekly washing/ironing orders for domestic and local businesses. A Trophy, Engraving & Badge-Making Service supplying an extensive range of trophies, medallions, shields, awards, commemorative plaques and personalised engraving on almost any surface. A Secure Document Destruction Service for local businesses with pick up and delivery. Gumnut Place provide numerous high quality products through our many business units that ultimately meet the needs of our local community. We also provide community inclusion, skills development and career progression opportunities for a high number of paid/volunteer employees with disabilities. Gumnut Place provides a happy and productive work environment for Supported Employees to reach their full potential through skills development, training and career progression. We provide an avenue for Supported Employees to build long lasting friendships with work colleagues and gain a feeling of ownership and pride in the quality products they produce.

The Bridge Inc. is a not-for-profit disability services provider located in the south-eastern and Northern suburbs of Melbourne. We’ve been helping people with disabilities develop key life skills for over 50 years. We offer job placement services, supported employment opportunities, learning in life skills, support to participate in social and leisure activities in the community. The Bridge Works is the warehousing and manufacturing service for The Bridge Employment. We provide meaningful employment for people with disabilities who require support to work. We assist with a range of business services, including labour hire, logistics support, manufacturing and e-fulfilment services. This service is useful for manufacturers experiencing space limitations; and wholesalers & importers requiring rework of products. The Bridge Works is part of The Bridge Employment which is a not–for-profit employment service provider delivering a comprehensive range of employment solutions to employers and jobseekers across South-East Melbourne. The Bridge Works provides warehouse solutions and commercial cleaning services to businesses through a supported employment enterprise. We match our supported employee's skills to the requirements of the jobs we have available, offering ongoing individualised training and guidance to complete tasks. Each employee is trained in Occupational Health and Safety Awareness, then specialised training is provided to gain new workplace skills. Our focus is on assisting people with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds to maintain their employment, achieve goals and realise their full potential. We strive to ensure that each person achieves their own individual employment outcome.

Civic Industries provides paid employment to people with disability who have 'Finding and Keeping a Job' in their NDIS plan. A range of jobs including packaging, decanting, mail-outs, labeling, administration, lawn mowing, catering and barista are offered for differing skill levels within a supportive environment in South Sydney and other locations. We also work at the Department of Defence at Holsworthy Army Base delivering administrative work. Civic Disability Services provides supported accommodation, employment and social connectivity to more than 750 individuals with disability. Founded more than 60 years ago, Civic is an ambitious, forward-thinking organisation, which has built on its solid heritage and emerged as a true leader in the disability sector. Defining ourselves as a ‘for-purpose' organisation, our goal is to improve outcomes for individuals with disability by investing in innovation, technologies and pilot ideas which drive forward the delivery of disability services. Civic provide meaningful employment and every day we see the pride that clients take in having a job and working alongside their mates. We recognise that the social activities that arise from work are as equally important. The fact that the work is variable and interesting, and supported employees are working with staff they know, gives peace of mind.

Good Sammy Enterprises is a for-purpose organisation focused on creating employment opportunities for Western Australians with disability. We’ve been around since 1958 and, as a registered NDIS provider, we deliver quality personalised services that help achieve individualised outcomes. Good Sammy has a workforce of more than 800 people, with over 50% identifying as having disability. We reduce waste and help the environment by recycling almost 7 million kilos of used goods each year and as an official collection organisation for the Containers for Change program. Our op shops are the public face of our organisation and allow employees to explore opportunities in the retail industry, as well as supply chain operations and logistics. Our business services provide warehousing and logistics, packaging and assembly, and gardening services to the WA business community, while providing employment in a safe and structured environment. We work with business and government, providing social procurement opportunities that deliver on social and economic outcomes. Good Sammy’s Training Academy also provides structured learning and work experience opportunities through our contemporary programs and nationally recognised certifications, helping participants to build skills and confidence to progress into open employment. Good Sammy is an iconic Western Australian charity and a leading provider of employment and training opportunities for people with disability. For more than sixty years, Good Sammy has been supporting people with disability through meaningful social and economic participation. Good Sammy helps people with disability build confidence, skills and expand job opportunities. We offer a range of disability employment services to support people with disability as they achieve personal employment goals. Our services include:- Job opportunities at Good Sammy- Academy training programs- Certified traineeships- Employment support services - Work experience with us or one of our employer partners- Pathways to Open employment Good Sammy ensures employees are supported by a dedicated team, who help map personal plans to set employees up for success.

We are a commercially competitive not for profit social enterprise operating in Kew, Melbourne since 1963. As a social enterprise we trade and reinvest for the benefit of our employees and the community. We employ over 130 people and our purpose is clear: 'Through employment, we create opportunities for people living with a disability and those socially excluded, to discover their potential and enhance their lives" We have four operating units: wire & metal fabrication, digital document scanning and business services, packing & assembly, logistics & fundraising and engage with customers from many sectors. We are a solution focused, agile, innovative and results driven business which puts its people at the centre of its operation. Ability Works produces quality products and delivers outstanding services across four business units: * Wire & metal fabrication* Digital technology services* Packing & assembly* Logistics and fundraising Procurement from us provides meaningful employment for people living with a disability and economic, social and environment benefits for corporates, governments and the community. Work provides purpose and meaning for everyone. It provides huge personal wellness, social and community benefits for those people living with a disability and those socially disadvantaged. For Ability Works employees, there is a great sense of pride and achievement that comes with not only having a job, but being part of a team that creates outstanding results both for industry and for those who are working as part of the team. This sense of belonging and achievement is recognised and appreciated by a range of stakeholders including employee family members.

Barossa Enterprises is a community organisation that supplies the wine industry with premium packaging solutions. We support over 100 people with disabilities providing an opportunity for people to engage in the industry that has shaped their community. Our manufacturing division, WoodWerx supplies major SA wineries.

Myhorizon Social Enterprises provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities. We do this through our Packaging and Mail House services along with our Conference facilities with accompany our Café and Catering businesses. Our organisation provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities across the mail and packaging industries as well as in Hospitality with our new Café and Function Venue.

Outlook Australia is a non-profit social enterprise committed to creating an inclusive society for all. Through two distinct but connected divisions - Social Enterprise and Community Services, Outlook creates opportunities for people with disability and people experiencing other forms of social disadvantage to develop work and life skills. Outlook Australia operates Australia's largest waste management social enterprise. Through the operation of recycling centre, transfer stations, landfills and reuse shops across Australia, Outlook creates opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. Outlook social enterprise currently operates waste management and recycling centres across Queensland and Victoria, with supported employees and priority workers making up over 70% of the workforce. Outlook Community Centre is located in Pakenham, VIc and offers a wide range programs, workshops and educational opportunities for the community in addition to extensive room hire options. Outlook is also a registered NDIS provider, delivering 1:1 and group based services and supports including high quality high intensity support in Victoria and New South Wales. Outlook is committed to creating 'An Inclusive Society for All' by creating opportunities for people with disability and people experiencing other forms of social disadvantage to thrive in life and work. This is Outlook's fair pay commitment: All employees at Outlook Australia, including supported employees, are paid 100% of the rates outlined in the award or EBA that they are employed under - including supported employees. Supported employees are NOT paid an apportioned wage at Outlook.

Greenacres is one of the largest disability service providers in the Illawarra. For over 70 years, we have been committed to enabling people with a disability to achieve their dreams. Our Social Enterprises teams are highly experienced in Light Manufacturing, Assembly, Industrial Sewing, Sandbag Production, Packing, Labelling, Rework, Shrink Wrapping and Metal Sheering. We have a fleet of trucks and run a daily service throughout Sydney and the Illawarra. Our own brand of Australian-made homewares and hampers are excellent for corporate and employee gifts. We operate a retail store and markets in Wollongong, and sell wholesale to various stockists, in addition to offering a white label service. We also operate three Cafes and a Catering division serving culinary delights for meetings and staff training days throughout the Illawarra. Our Labour Hire crews work at your location and come with a Supervisor to oversee all works. We currently provide Garden & Property Maintenance, Cleaning & Scaffolding Crews. Greenacres proudly supports over 500 people with disability. Greenacres Disability Services plays a pivotal role in our community by empowering individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. We offer employment opportunities, skill development, and social inclusion programs for over 500 participants, enabling them to integrate into society, contribute meaningfully, and gain independence. By breaking down barriers, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities, we foster a more just and accepting community. Moreover, through our social enterprise initiatives, we create jobs, operate cafes, and produce locally sourced products, contributing to economic growth and showcasing the talents of individuals with disabilities. In essence, Greenacres enhances the fabric of our community through empowerment, advocacy, and economic participation. Our organisation significantly benefits supported employees and their families by providing stable employment, skill development, and a supportive environment. We offer employment opportunities for people with disabilities, allowing them to create their own positive future and transform their ideas and goals into experiences and achievements. Employees gain not only income but also a sense of purpose, self-esteem, and independence. Families witness their loved ones flourish, fostering pride and peace of mind. Additionally, our programs promote social connections, enhancing the overall well-being of both employees and their families. Through our advocacy efforts and community integration, we help reduce stigma and misconceptions about disabilities, creating a more inclusive and accepting society that benefits everyone involved. Ultimately, Greenacres Disability Services empowers individuals and strengthens family bonds while fostering a more inclusive community.

Workpower is based in Perth and provides a varied range of products and services within our social enterprises across Western Australia providing employment and training opportunities for people with disability Workpower operates a diverse group of commercial businesses that employ people with disability who work alongside industry professionals. Some of our businesses include environmental services, property services, fire equipment testing, electrical test & tag, packaging & warehousing and recycling. Workpower’s diverse range of enterprises provide a vehicle to develop a positive public profile for people with disability and give the community better understanding of the impact of disability. Having businesses that work in the community is one of the most effective ways to show that people with disability can make a valued contribution to the everyday life of the community. Each year Workpower assists over 1,000 people with disability and/or mental illness to secure and maintain employment in its own commercial businesses or with community employers. The benefits to our employees and their families extend beyond just earning an income, for example our integrated business model facilitates an environment of self-help and self-reliance which supports the development of natural networks and relationships around shared interests.