Australian Social Enterprises

Disability Services Australia (DSA) is a respected not-for-profit organisation that provides essential community support, employment and training services to enhance the lives of people with a disability. DSA is an integral part of more than 65 communities and employs more than 1,300 people. From our early beginnings back in 1957 we have grown to become an innovative organisation, developing and evolving personalised services that drive true inclusion. We are a professional and flexible organisation, fit for the exciting future we face as the Australian disability sector undergoes profound and fundamental change. Our priority is supporting people to reach their full potential at home, at work and in their community life. Each year, we reaffirm our commitment to our mission of enabling opportunities for people with a disability to experience choice, inclusion and achievement.

Distinctive Options Noweyung continues its evolution as an organisation providing a range of quality disability support services to individuals aimed at delivering better life outcomes. Our community based organisation Noweyung Ltd was established in 1954 to provide a range of services for people with disabilities in East Gippsland. In 2024 Noweyung Ltd merged with Melbourne based Distinctive Options and Noweyung became Distinctive Options Noweyung. Distinctive Options Noweyung offers quality disability options with a range of innovative and collaborative partnerships within both the local and broader communities. Distinctive Options Noweyung provides a range of support services to adults in the areas of education, training, community development, pre-employment, employment and advocacy services.

Diverse Edge is a Queensland-based social enterprise that supports organisations to integrate social benefit suppliers into their supply chains and increase workforce participation through apprentices and trainees. They primarily partner with construction companies to achieve social procurement goals while empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through jobs, skills development, and inclusion initiatives.

Djarlma Healing & Construction Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous-led organisation in Western Australia, focusing on healing-related services and engaging in construction activities. It aims to create social impact through cultural preservation, community well-being, and economic empowerment for Indigenous people.

Djibbinj Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous not‑for‑profit based in Western Australia that delivers culturally appropriate services and community‑led initiatives. The corporation works to strengthen Aboriginal communities by fostering economic opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting local development projects. Its programs aim to create lasting social impact while operating as a sustainable charity under ORIC and the ACNC.

Eagle Eye Guards & Services is a Victorian social enterprise providing security and community services. It focuses on creating employment opportunities and breaking down barriers for migrants, refugees, and marginalized youth, ensuring fair pay and equitable treatment for all employees.

Earthworker Energy Manufacturing Coop is a worker-owned cooperative in Morwell, Latrobe Valley, Victoria that manufactures renewable energy products including heat pump and solar hot water systems, stainless steel storage tanks, and mobile energy storage solutions. The social enterprise creates local manufacturing jobs in the Latrobe Valley region while helping households reduce carbon pollution and energy costs through clean energy technology.

Elouera Association LTD provides quality education and employment training to people with a disability in Cootamundra, Young, Temora, Harden and surrounding districts. The Elouera Special School has provided education to children in the area for over 50 years and more recently Elouera Hire, Elouera Laundry and Elouera Recycling have provided employment and training to adults with a disability. There are real benefits to the wider community from having people with a disability accessing employment at one of our Disability Enterprises. Money earned goes back into the local economy, social security expenses lower, health care costs lower and these businesses provide vital products and services to the community.Disability Employment costs tax payers a lot less that alternative day services. Every dollar spent at a Disability enterprise either for goods and services or funding produces a real social dividend to local communities. Employment at one of our Disability Enterprises provides individuals with additional financial independence, greater skills, the feeling of being part of a team with purpose and the pride of having a job as part of the community just like most other people. People that have a job in general are healthier and more fit. For families of those working at a Disability Enterprise, for many they also can re-enter the workforce giving the whole family greater financial security. They tell us how much more confident their family members are that work for us.

Empathy First is a social enterprise that provides training, coaching, and keynote speaking on healthy empathy for leaders and teams. Its mission is to improve employee wellbeing, retention, and organisational culture by fostering empathetic communication and leadership, ultimately creating thriving workplaces and reducing burnout.

Empowered Women in Trades is a Victorian social enterprise working towards 30% female representation in skilled trades by 2030. They provide education programs, tools days, and career pathways for women interested in trades, while also helping organisations create safe, supportive workplace environments for women.

Empowered Young Leaders Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous organisation dedicated to nurturing leadership skills and empowering young Aboriginal individuals. Its social impact lies in cultivating a new generation of strong, culturally connected leaders within their communities.

Enable Social Enterprises Ltd is an award-winning Victorian social enterprise that tackles disadvantage and the digital divide by providing IT recycling services, affordable technology access, and employability skills training to disadvantaged community members. Since 2014, the organisation has supported over 3,200 disadvantaged people and diverted over 600 tonnes of e-waste from landfill.

Endeavour Foundation is dedicated to helping people with a disability live fulfilling lives. We work together to turn possibilities into reality for each individual to live life to the full - whether that means moving into a new home, gaining qualifications that help fulfil individual aspirations or finding a job. Our commercial businesses range from confidential document destruction to e-waste recycling, offering real jobs in a social and supportive environment for people with a disability. Endeavour Foundation is dedicated to helping people with disability live fulfilling lives. We work together to turn possibilities into reality for each individual to live life to the full - whether that means moving into a new home, gaining qualifications that help fulfil individual aspirations or finding a job. Employment can boost your confidence and self-esteem, it connects you with your community and can give you a strong sense of purpose. We believe that employment opportunities form a critical part of an inclusive and empowering community for people with a disability.

Endeavour Foundation is a Queensland-based disability support organisation providing accommodation, independent living services, and specialist disability homes for people with intellectual disabilities. The organisation has operated for over 75 years and delivers person-centred support enabling beneficiaries to live independently and participate in their communities.

Commercial Steam Laundry,Resosurce recovery Recycling Transfer Station and small business packaging .

Entrepreneurs and Small Business Indigenous Corporation is an Indigenous organisation dedicated to supporting and developing Indigenous entrepreneurs and small businesses. Its core social impact is to foster economic empowerment and self-determination within Indigenous communities through business growth and opportunity creation.

EON Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous registered corporation and charity that works to advance the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Western Australia. It delivers a range of community‑focused initiatives that aim to improve health, education, employment and cultural outcomes for Indigenous families, although detailed program information is not publicly available.

Erub Fisheries Management Torres Strait Islander Corporation is an Indigenous organisation focused on managing fisheries resources for the Erub (Darnley Island) Torres Strait Islander community. Its primary social impact likely involves promoting sustainable fishing practices, supporting local livelihoods, and preserving cultural connections to the sea.

Espresso Train Cafe & Catering is a social enterprise operating a cafe and catering business in QLD. It provides a secure, welcoming, and patient workplace, offering training and meaningful employment opportunities primarily for people with disabilities and those facing barriers to employment, fostering social inclusion and skill development.

Eurella Community Services exists to provide the best practice, meaningful employment, residential and development services for children and adults of all ages with intellectial and other disabilities and to assist them to have their maximum possible quality of life and to develop their maximum potential. We encourage our customers to visit our site and speak with our supported employees to discuss the work we do for them. Our employees are very much part of the process. These discussions assist to develop relationships with the community. We also involve Work for the Dole and Workplace Rehabilitation participants in many aspects of our activities. We provide real work opportunities to our supported employees. The range of work we provide to them is very diverse and consequently both stimulating and challenging. They accept those challenges and embrace the self esteem that employment provides in their lives.

The Social Enterprise Strategy Expert Advisory Group is an advisory body established in 2022 to develop and advocate for a state government-endorsed social enterprise strategy for South Australia. It works in partnership with the SA Government and social enterprise stakeholders to advance sector development, capacity building, and policy recognition.

Founded in 1962, Fairhaven is a not-for-profit NDIS Registered Provider and community leader on the Central Coast of NSW in the provision of services for people living with disability. Our range of services include: * Fairhaven CoPack* Fairhaven Op Shopping Village* Fare Cravin Cafe* Supported Employment* Community participation and drop-in supports* Specialist Disability Accommodation & Supported Independent Living Options* Support Coordination* Community Transport At our CoPack facility, we take great pride in partnering with our customers to help develop, high quality tailor made solutions for their Food packaging, Packaging and assembly solutions to deliver the best results possible. We offers a variety of innovative solutions for individuals and businesses and are HACCP and ACO approved and have staff certified in Cert 3 in Warehousing. • 5 Clean rooms• Food filling and Packaging solutions • Packing & General assembly • Stickering and Re-work Fairhaven contributes to community connection by providing support to people living with disability. This includes meaningful employment, skills development and capacity building, supported accommodation and day programs. Our thriving retail outlet, at Point Claire Fairhaven Op Shopping Village, draws in people from the wider community who come to shop and relax at our café. Our community hub runs activities for our participants as well as the broader community. Fairhaven is more than just a work place – Fairhaven offers a meaningful and productive means of supporting people with disabilities. There is a great sense of pride and achievement that comes with not only having a job, but being part of a team. This sense of belonging and achievement is recognised and appreciated by our customers and supported employee family members.Our Australian Disability Enterprise provide meaningful employment to over 140 people living with disability. We offer food and general packaging, as well as retail experience. The variety of work offered by Fairhaven ensures that people can choose a supported employment role that best suits their interests and ability.

Family Life Opportunity Shops operates 5 opportunity shops and a warehouse in Melbourne's Bayside and Kingston municipalities, selling donated goods including clothing, furniture and household items to raise funds for Family Life's community services. These social enterprises are volunteer-run, providing social inclusion and employment pathways for vulnerable populations including long-term unemployed individuals and women over 50.