Join us and amplify your impact
Join our Members across Australia building an economy that puts people and planet first.
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Shape
Be part of a powerful, democratic community shaping Australia’s social enterprise strategy.
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Amplify
Drive bold campaigns for an economy that works for all.
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Innovate
Connect with a vibrant community of doers to build the future we want, together.
Who can be a Member of Social Enterprise Australia?
Social Enterprise Members
For any Australian-based entity with an ABN that meets the minimum requirements of the global standards plus at least two points under the revenue standard.
Associate Members
For any organisation or individual aged 18 or over who supports the purpose and values of social enterprise.
Why join?
Our Members help govern Social Enterprise Australia, shape national strategy, and work together to unlock the power of social enterprise. Membership connects you to national conversations, networks and opportunities.
Voice and vote
All Members have a voice in our organisation and are invited to our General Meetings. Social Enterprise Members have voting rights.
National strategy
Our Members co-design and take action on key parts of the social enterprise national strategy - focused on big-picture challenges where social enterprise can drive the most impact.
Working with other peak bodies
There are member-based social enterprise peak bodies in every state and territory and nationally. Together, we exist to connect, build and advocate for the sector. By joining your local peak body and Social Enterprise Australia, you can stay connected across local and national networks.
A number of peak bodies have been working on reciprocal membership, with aligned eligibility criteria and a single membership application and fee. After a year of learning together, we’re making two changes:
Social Enterprise Member eligibility criteria will remain aligned across all peaks involved (Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory). But rather than requiring People and Planet First verification, we will use the global standards as the foundation for our own due diligence, with organisations required to meet minimum requirements and primarily trade (see more below).
Single membership fee and application continues for people and and organisations based in the Northern Territory and Tasmania. Members based elsewhere will need to apply (or renew) and pay separately for state and national peak body membership. This reflects different local operational needs and contexts.
Social Enterprise Member eligibility criteria
This has been updated in response to feedback and to better align with sector expectations that social enterprises primarily trade. The new criteria is:
Australian-based entity with an ABN
Meet the minimum requirements of the global standards plus at least two points under the revenue standard.
There is no change to Associate Member eligibility criteria - any individual or organisation who supports the purpose and value of social enterprise can join.
Member Code of Conduct
This promotes and guides Member conduct to align with the social enterprise sector’s vision, purpose and values. You can read it here.
Have questions about Social Enterprise Australia membership?
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It’s easy to apply - simply answer a short series of questions about you/ your organisation.
For Social Enterprise Members: Previously, you may have completed these questions on the People and Planet First (PPF) platform. To make things simpler, questions are now included directly in the membership application.
Social Enterprise Member applications are assessed according to this criteria:
Australian-based entity with an ABN
Meet the minimum requirements of the global standards plus at least two points under the revenue standard.
This is a streamlined process that takes effect for new Members from 31 March 2026 and for current Members from renewal.
We continue to use the global standards as the foundation for our membership due diligence, ensuring consistency with the broader global social enterprise community.
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The application and annual renewal fees for Social Enterprise Members are:
Annual turnover < $500k: $150
Annual turnover $500k - $2m: $250
Annual turnover $2m - $5m: $350
Annual turnover $5m - $10m: $500
Annual turnover > $10m: $750
Your fee includes:
The cost of your verification if you are not yet verified.
The cost of your verification extension or renewal if you are verified.
The cost of your membership application for your state/territory peak if you are based in Tasmania or the Northern Territory.
The application and annual renewal fees for Associate Members are:
Individual or annual turnover < $500k: $150
Annual turnover $500k - $2m: $250
Annual turnover $2m - $5m: $350
Annual turnover $5m - $10m: $500
Annual turnover > $10m: $750
Your fee includes the cost of your membership application for your state/territory peak if you are based in Tasmania or the Northern Territory.
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Yes. To become a Social Enterprise Member with us, you need to meet the minimum requirements of the global standards (one point across each of the five) plus a higher threshold on the revenue standard - two points. The requirement of two points on revenue reflects a growing expectation - and consideration when assessing access to opportunities - that social enterprises primarily generate income through trade.
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It’s widely understood in Australia that social enterprises primarily trade - from the foundational Finding Australia's Social Enterprise Sector (FASES) research, to the definition of a social enterprise under Australia’s Classification of Social Sector Initiatives and Entities (CLASSIE). When we asked the sector their views on this, a key theme was that core to what makes a social enterprise is that they primarily trade.
But how this has been checked in different contexts varies. And what is meant by‘trade’ is often misunderstood. This has created confusion and work.
‘Trade’ means the exchange of goods or services.
That sounds simple, but grants are not straight forward when it comes to trade. Some grants are gifts and donations, not trade. Others are used to buy goods or services, and are trade.
In Australia, GST is a useful guide:
If GST applies, the grant is for a good or service. It is trade.
Gifts and donations do not attract GST. They are not trade.
There are exceptions where GST may not apply to a grant that is for goods and services, including when:
It is for GST-free goods or services (such as most basic foods, some education courses and some medical, health and care products),
It is for an input-taxed activity (such as residential rent or certain financial services), or
The organisation receiving the payment is not registered for GST.
Where GST does not apply, the practical question is: would GST apply if these exceptions did not exist?
Questions? Contact us -
While PPF verification is no longer required for Social Enterprise Australia membership, some organisations may still choose to pursue it for its global recognition and the opportunities it can support.
PPF verification can help build trust and credibility, particularly if you’re engaging with partners, funders or markets beyond Australia.
It also connects you to a global community, making your work more visible and comparable across countries.
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Joining both connects to a stronger, more coordinated social enterprise ecosystem. Social Enterprise Australia brings a national lens: shaping policy, building shared infrastructure, and opening up opportunities nationally. State and territory peak bodies bring deep local knowledge, connecting you to place-based networks, partnerships and opportunities in your region.
Together, this means you’re not navigating the sector alone. You’re part of a broader movement - with greater visibility, stronger connections, and more pathways to grow your impact.
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Reciprocal membership is available in states and territories where peak bodies have chosen to take part and where we’ve been able to put the right agreements and systems in place. Each peak body is at a different stage and working through its own priorities and/or operating model. We continue to work together across the country and explore opportunities to expand this over time.
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Yes, you’re very welcome to join Social Enterprise Australia. Your membership connects you to national conversations, networks and opportunities.