Australian Social Enterprises

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.

Ability Enterprises is a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Toowoomba, Queensland, providing meaningful employment opportunities to marginalised individuals facing barriers to work. Since 2012, they have supported over 400 people including those living with mental illness, people with disabilities, refugees, and Indigenous Australians across their seven social enterprise ventures.

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.

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.

Aboriginal Corporation for Economic Development is an Indigenous business registered with ORIC, aiming to foster economic growth within Aboriginal communities. While specific program details are unavailable due to an error in the public register extract, its core mission likely involves supporting Indigenous economic participation and self-determination.

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.

Access Employment Enterprises is a social enterprise that employs people experiencing disability or disadvantage, providing various services to support their integration into the workforce. The organisation offers a range of services, including commercial carwash and detailing, landcare, and contract completion. By doing so, it aims to create a positive social impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

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.

Afford is a leading not-for-profit disability organisation that has over 75 years’ experience in providing specialised supports that allow people to live the life they choose under the NDIS. Adopting a whole-of-life and individualised approach to disability services, Afford provides opportunities for people to discover new life experiences, work options and embrace social and balanced lifestyles.

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.

Ajurumu Store Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous corporation registered in the Northern Territory, also registered as a charity with the ACNC. While specific activities are not detailed, its name suggests it operates a store, likely serving an Indigenous community. As an Indigenous corporation and charity, it aims to provide essential services or economic opportunities, contributing to community well-being.

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 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.

Alloyfold is a Victorian-based commercial furniture manufacturer and supplier that operates as a social enterprise to fund Pathway, a charity supporting marginalised and vulnerable individuals. Through the sale of seating, tables, and portable sanitation products to businesses and organisations, Alloyfold generates revenue that directly funds social services, reducing long-term reliance on welfare. Customers who procure furniture from Alloyfold actively contribute to transforming lives through social procurement.

Alpara Pastoral Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous corporation registered in the NT. While specific activities are not detailed, its name suggests involvement in pastoral operations, likely contributing to economic development and community benefit for its Indigenous members.

Alpirakina Store Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous business operating a community store in a remote Northern Territory community, providing essential goods and services. Its social impact involves fostering local employment and supporting the health and well-being of the community it serves. The corporation's work likely improves the overall quality of life for community members.

Amarapave Pty Ltd provides asphalt paving services across Victoria. As a social enterprise, it invests its profits to create supportive career pathways and foster diversity and inclusion for women, non-binary individuals, and other minorities within the asphalt industry, aiming to break stereotypes and drive cultural change.

Ananguku Mimili Maku Arts Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous organisation primarily focused on arts. It likely supports Anangu artists, particularly from the Mimili community, to create and share their cultural expressions. This work contributes to cultural preservation and provides economic opportunities for Indigenous people.

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.

Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous organisation likely focused on the environmental and cultural management of the Arafura Swamp region in the Northern Territory. As an Aboriginal Corporation, it aims to deliver social impact through land and sea management activities, which typically include cultural heritage protection and providing employment opportunities for local Indigenous people.

Are-able focuses on offering meaningful employment opportunities for people with a disability through a range of business enterprises and community support services. These enterprises provide a supported environment for people with a disability to develop their job skills and work ethic, along with an opportunity to make the transition from supported, to open employment. We believe employment opportunities are critical in creating an inclusive & empowering community for people with a disability. All employment opportunities at are-able offer valuable hands-on employment experience in a supportive & social environment. Social and community participation is about connecting with your local community and, in turn, ensuring a sense of purpose and well being. Employment isn't just about having a job. Our Social Enterprise can provide you with a sense of purpose, an opportunity to contribute skills, gain achievement, economic & social participation. Supported Employment can boost your confidence & self-esteem. It connects you with your community and gives you a strong sense of purpose.