Australian Social Enterprises

Social Engine Australia is a Victorian social enterprise that transforms the lives of vulnerable young people by providing practical employment experience, paid work opportunities and ongoing support in hospitality, warehousing and logistics sectors.

Social Enterprise Group is a certified social enterprise and DGR1 charity in Greater Geelong, Victoria that operates print services to create supported work placements for disadvantaged youth. Through their Youth Mentoring program, they offer six-month paid placements with wraparound support, helping young people overcome employment barriers and transition into lasting employment.

Social Outcome Solutions is an advisory social enterprise providing specialised social and environmental impact services to major infrastructure projects and industry. They support clients with contractual policy compliance, sustainable procurement, and innovative supply chain strategies, aiming to embed social and environmental responsibility into large-scale developments.

Orsum is a software development company based in Victoria that builds custom software, web applications, and mobile apps with a focus on innovative design solutions. While the website primarily describes commercial software development services, as a social enterprise they likely contribute to digital capability building and potentially provide technology solutions for social impact organisations.

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.

Southern Design Group supplies architectural hardware through its brands Bankston, Iver, and TradCo. As a Certified B Corporation, they are committed to conscious craftsmanship and intentional impact, aiming to create beautifully designed products that also contribute to a positive future where beauty and purpose coexist.

Space Tank Studio is an award-winning business makerspace and incubator in Melbourne that supports emerging manufacturers and hardware startups. They provide facilities, prototyping technology, business mentoring, co-working spaces and training to help entrepreneurs develop physical products across sectors including medical devices, robotics, electric vehicles and furniture. The organisation focuses on advancing Australian manufacturing capability and creating future jobs in innovation.

St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria) is a certified social enterprise that has served the community for over 137 years, providing essential health services, first aid training, and transport services. Proceeds from their commercial activities including training, product sales, and healthcare services fund their community programs, making first aid and emergency response capabilities accessible to all Victorians.

St Vincent Industries has been operating as a Social Business since 1972, providing employment, training and support for people with a disability. We are the leading manufacturer and supplier of cleaning cloths and recycled rags in southern Tasmania, with a varied customer base supplying over 600 clients across Tasmania. Our site in North Hobart employees more than 35 people to produce quality rag products to customers across Tasmania, offering paid employment and nationally recognised training to people with a disability, in an environment that provides the support they need to reach their full potential in the workplace.

Steel Chicks is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women to grow and excel within the steel industry. It achieves this by creating safe spaces and offering comprehensive training, mentoring, and career development programs, fostering diversity and inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Substation33 is a Queensland-based social enterprise that operates an electronic waste recycling centre, providing training and employment opportunities for long-term unemployed individuals, volunteers, and youth. Through their Innovation Lab, they upcycle e-waste into commercial products like flood warning signs and 3D printers, delivering both environmental benefits through waste diversion and social benefits through skills development and workforce transition.

Founded in 1952, Sunnyfield has grown in depth and breadth of support services. Sunnyfield Enterprise workplaces play a vital role in providing employees with a sense of purpose, independence, friendship and skills development. We take great pride in working in partnership with our business customers to develop, high quality tailored packaging and assembly solutions that will deliver the best results. - 3 x Sydney locations - Automated and hand packaged solutions - Our promise is delivery in full and on time Vision: Excellence in supporting people with intellectual disabilityMission: To enrich the lives of people with disability by creating choice, opportunity and skills for lifeValues: Respect, Trust, Honesty and Innovation Day to Day, we deliver services for over 1,800 clients, including young children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Sunnyfield employs over 1,200 staff in NSW and the ACT, providing accommodation services, assistance with daily life, social and community participation, supported employment and clinical services. Sunnyfield offer a range of active support options so people with disabilities can try new things, learn additional skills, and get involved in their community. Sunnyfield Enterprises provides employment for people with disability across three Sydney locations, bringing industry and community together to create sustainable, meaningful employment opportunities. Working together with families, friends and dedicated staff, Sunnyfield supports a brighter future for people with disability. Guided by our values of respect, trust, honesty and innovations, it’s our mission to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disability through person-centred active support that creates choice, opportunities and skills for life. Opportunities exist for Supported Employees to become Assistant Team Leaders through the newly created mentoring and training program at Sunnyfield Enterprises. Over a 14month period all Supported Employees work towards attaining a Process Manufacturing and Language, Literary and Numeracy Certificate III qualification.

Superyard Online Pty Ltd operates Australia's sustainable construction marketplace, providing a platform for trading and donating unused construction materials. Their social enterprise reduces waste going to landfill while supporting community projects and charities through redirecting surplus materials, promoting environmental stewardship and circular economy principles.

Sustainabil.IT Technologies is an Australian social enterprise providing IT solutions, cybersecurity, and sustainability consulting services to large organisations. They aim to drive social and environmental impact by integrating philanthropic principles into their operations, helping clients achieve sustainable growth and responsible business practices through compliance and robust security.

Tastex Knitwear produces high quality School, Corporate and fashion knitwear and embroidered items. We also manufacture knitted "Envirowoolly" native animal toys made from recycled woollen off-cuts. Tastex Knitwear produces quality Tasmanian Knitwear & Embroidery which is marketed mainly in the school, corporate & Government Sectors. Tastex contributes to the Tasmanian economy, marketing our knitwear both throughout Tasmania and interstate. Tastex provides employment for 27 Tasmanians, 18 of our employees have an intellectual disability. Tastex provides ongoing training, employment and support for our Supported Employees. We provide recognised traineeships and in-house training in Textile Production which improves skills and future employment opportunities. Tastex also provides training in Life Skills which enables our Supported Employees to work towards living independently within the community.

We have achieved an excellent reputation in our local area for our high-quality packaging service. We offer our clients competitive pricing, reduced staffing costs, reduced transport costs and unsurpassed quality control.

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.

Brief descriptionBased in NSW, ACT, Victoria and South East Queensland, The Disability Trust is committed to providing highly professional care and support to people with disability and their families. Our 2 Social Enterprises, based in Wollongong, employ people with disability through IVS and The Plant Room Café. We pay an approved supported wage and provide people with a disability the opportunity to develop skills in a social enterprise that gives back to the community.IVS: Illawarra Vocational Services has a reputation for providing meaningful and valued work for people with a disability. We pride ourselves on delivering quality work at a competitive price and our employees enjoy the variety of work we offer. Our main services include: • Lawn and garden maintenance• High pressure water cleaning of pathways • Minor landscaping • Gardening services • Green waste removal • Supply of sand bags • Packaging and assembly services The Plant Room Café: Located at Edney Lane, Spring Hill, The Plant Room Café offers a great place to catch up with friends and family away from the crowds. The Plant Room’s philosophy is to create a more inclusive world through a shared joy of quality food and coffee made with the freshest ingredients. The Café has wonderful catering options whether it be for a meeting, a family get together or a celebration. We can work with you to put together a great, fresh menu that suits your budget and occasion. Call on 1300 347 224 or email the team at cafe@disabilitytrust.org.au today to discuss your next event and let us help you. Providing Disability Employment for 35+ Years and NDIS approved provider. Providing meaningful work and support to families in the Illawarra region for 30+ years.

The Flagstaff Group is an NDIS registered provider that provides life skills and employment for over 260 people with disability, who are provided sustainable and meaningful employment, training, skills development. This in turn builds confidence, independence, social inclusion and the opportunity to enhance their lives. Located in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven regions, Flagstaff operates several enterprises including a printery, braille and mailing house, commercial laundry, frozen meal production, coffee roasting, recycling, grounds maintenance, cleaning and light manufacturing including tagging, packaging and assembling, bottling, woodwork and commercial sewing. As a not-for-profit organisation, Flagstaff reinvests profits back into its social mission of enhancing the lives of people with a disability by providing employment, life skills and training. From accessible printing in braille to doing your mailing or grounds maintenance, Flagstaff can help. Get in touch today to know more about Flagstaff's services and support jobs for people with disability. Flagstaff delivers valuable education and positively adjusts mindsets about people with a disability. Many employees have the opportunity to interact directly with customers and the community. This inclusion actively demonstrates their abilities in working across a wide range of divisions and jobs. Flagstaff also positively impacts the community through the provision of meaningful work, social inclusion, and skills development opportunities. Flagstaff forms community partnerships to deliver training and hands-on work experience, as well as collaborating with like-minded not-for-profit organisations to enhance positive social outcomes, and supporting initiatives that benefit the community. Flagstaff provides social, independence, and skills development opportunities that support employees with a disability to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. Many people with a disability face barriers to employment. Providing these opportunities has benefits beyond earning a wage. Socially, employees gain independence and confidence as they spend more time at work. Employees can access a higher quality of life and services to help them engage in the community, such as using public transport. The time employees spend at work allows their families and carers to participate in the workforce, and reduces reliance on Government support and care services.

The Thorndale Foundation was established in 1959, as a parent based, not for profit organisation supporting the needs of people with intellectual disabilities in the Nepean area. The early beginnings of the Foundation were as a school for children with disabilities and after initially utilising various temporary accommodations, in 1964 the Thorndale Centre at Rance Road, Werrington, was officially opened. In 1984 the Foundation became part of the Challenge Foundation before again becoming autonomous in 1993, when the Thorndale Foundation Limited formed as a public company limited by guarantee. Today, the Foundation operates a range of support services for participants with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plans. Thorndale Foundation has remained a passionate and dedicated not for profit organisation, supporting people with disability to help achieve their goals for almost 60 years. Our vision is to ensure that all people with disability live in a community where equality is a way of life. Thorndale aims to provide opportunity and equality for people with disability within the Nepean, Hawkesbury and lower Blue Mountains community regions with services in Employment, School Leaver Employment Support (SLES), Improved Life Skills, Residential Support and Recreation and Leisure activities. Services provided through Thorndale’s employment enterprise include: • Weed control and management• Mowing• Mulching• Warehousing and storage services• Shrink wrapping services• Packaging• Contract packaging• 3PL 3rd party logistics (pick n’ pack)• Mailing services/Mail fulfilment services• Managed print services Thorndale supported employees enjoy all the benefits that come from being in meaningful employment. The benefits can include learning new skills, making new friends, increased self esteem and confidence and a connection with the community. Thorndale also provides a social program that offers participants the chance to unwind, make new friends and enjoy a range of fun filled weekend and evening activities in their local and broader community.

Unisson Disability has been providing Supported Employment for more than fifty years through our employment servicesPack Works, and Ground Works. We provide professional, cost effective and customer focussed packaging, mail processing, ID Card printing and sample bag fulfilment as well as grounds maintenance to some of Australia's most respected commercial, local and state government organisations. While we are a not for profit organisation we pride ourselves on our work being accurate and high quality, no matter the deadline we are given. We promote inclusion and diversity within the local communities. We promote greater independence of people with a disability within the local communities. By providing meaningful, paid employment for people with intellectual or physical disability we facilitate independence, self-respect and opportunities to enable them to become fully contributing members of the community. We encourage our supported employees to have friendships and community networks (within their communities) separate to their families. We promote attendance by our supported employees in sporting, social and recreational activities within their communities. We provide linkages for our employees to access other service providers, community activities and groups of interest. Our supported employees are the foundation of our business. We provide meaningful, sustainable and valuable employment to over 70 Australians with a disability. We harness the individual capabilities of each employee in a safe, supportive environment that offers development opportunities. Our priority is to ensure that each employee has the opportunity to develop to their full potential as a member of the Australian workforce. This also gives the employees a sense of worth as well as self-confidence, which enables them to become active and involved members of their communities Our support staff work with each employee to achieve their personal and individual goals.

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.

Vivid is a local, not for profit disability service provider that offers supports to more than 200 adults living with disability in Echuca, Kerang, Swan Hill and Kyabram. Supports include day programs, supported accommodation, 1:1 individualised support, transport services, community access, and supported employment. Vivid carries a fifty plus year history of innovation, respect, hard work and community spirit, with more than 150 staff and 85 supported employees. Vivid understands that providing quality disability support services is about listening, understanding, and ultimately assisting people to achieve their goals. We are dedicated to providing tailored assistance based on our Participants' needs. We are Vivid are committed to creating a community where people of all abilities thrive.

Vivid Work Crew Swan Hill is a certified social enterprise providing paid, meaningful employment opportunities for adults living with disability in the Swan Hill region of Victoria. Through horticulture, arboriculture, and industrial production services, the organisation enables participants to gain work experience, develop skills, and achieve economic participation while contributing to their community.

Australian Disability Enterprise offering employment and training opportunities to people with different abilities. We offer training and employment opportunities to people with different abilities. Thereby enabling them to be the best that they can be and make a real contribution to society and the community. Through on the job training and skills development, employees have the chance to work in a variety of roles and job challenges. The knowledge gained assists in building self esteem, confidence and independence.