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
Australian-based entities with an ABN that meet the criteria below can apply to join.
Associate Members
Organisations or individuals aged 18 or over who supports the purpose and values of Social Enterprise Australia can apply to join.
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 Members 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.
Social Enterprise Member eligibility criteria
Organisations must be an Australian-based entity with an Australian Business Number.
For parent entities and subsidiaries, both are eligible to apply.
If a subsidiary applies, its parent entity must meet the renewal criteria for the Structure standard.
If a parent entity applies, disaggregated revenue details must be provided.
The organisation must meet the following criteria, which use the global standards as their foundation. Supporting evidence must be provided and will be reviewed annually:
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Expected evidence: A link to a public online statement of your organisation’s social and/or environmental purpose, including how that purpose is clearly linked to and reflected in the organisation’s activities.
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Expected evidence: A link to a public statement, policy, or example demonstrating how your organisation prioritises social and/or environmental goals in its operations and decision-making, and how it meets the minimum standard relevant to your sector.
Minimums sector standards can be viewed here.
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Expected evidence: Audited financial statements from the most recent financial year (dated within the last 12 months). Where audited financials are not available, the following may be accepted:
Reviewed or compiled financial statements prepared by a qualified accountant, dated within the last 12 months;
Management accounts covering the most recent full financial year, signed off by a director, treasurer, or equivalent officer; or
For organisations less than 12 months old, year-to-date management accounts together with a board-approved budget showing projected earned income against operating expenses.
All financial evidence must clearly distinguish earned income (as defined above) from other revenue sources such as donations, philanthropic grants, or sponsorships.
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Expected evidence: The following are required, scaled to the size and structure of your organisation:
A public commitment to reinvesting surplus. This may take the form of:
A clause in your governing document; or
A published policy or annual report; or
For small organisations, a very clear statement on your website, social media bio, or business profile setting out how your surplus is used.
Financial records from the most recent financial year (dated within the last 12 months) showing how any surplus was applied. Acceptable formats include:
Audited or reviewed financial statements;
Management accounts or bookkeeping records signed off by a director, treasurer or equivalent; or
For small organisations, a simple statement of income, expenses and surplus use, or a signed declaration from the shareholders.
Where no surplus has been generated, or where you have been operating for a period of less than 12-months, a statement approved by the Board of Directors or Shareholders confirming how future surpluses will be applied.
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Expected evidence: The following are required, scaled to the size and structure of your organisation:
A public commitment to protecting purpose over time. This can take the form of:
A clause in your governing document (constitution or shareholders' agreement) locking in purpose, restricting profit distribution, or directing assets to a like-purpose entity on dissolution; or
A clear public statement (online, annual report, or business profile) setting out how purpose is protected; including, for small organisations, what would happen to the business or its assets if it were sold, transferred, or wound up.
A plan to strengthen protections where needed, such as adding an asset lock or purpose clause or transitioning to a more appropriate structure.
At renewal, organisations will need to show that planned protections are in place, with the level of formality scaled to size and structure. Social Enterprise Australia will take size, structure, and life stage into account when reviewing evidence, and is happy to talk through what's appropriate before you submit.
Associate Member eligibility criteria
An organisation or individual aged 18 or over who supports the purpose and values of Social Enterprise Australia can apply to 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.
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 at state or territory and national levels. By joining your state or territory peak body and Social Enterprise Australia, you can stay connected across locally and nationally; with greater visibility, stronger connections, and more pathways to grow your impact.
In partnership with SECTAS and Impact North, for people and organisations based in Tasmania and the Northern Territory, we have reciprocal membership. If you are based in these states, this means you pay a single fee and complete one application to join both your state or territory and national peak body, at no extra cost.
People and organisations based elsewhere need to apply and pay separately for state and national peak body membership.
Frequently asked questions
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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. All fees above are exclusive of GST.
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Yes, of course.
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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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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 -
Grants are not always straightforward when it comes to trade. Some grants are gifts or donations and don’t count as trade. Others are payments for goods, services, or results, and do.
The simplest test is: is the grant consideration for something your organisation supplies, does, or delivers? If yes, it is trade. If it is a gift with no expected return, it is not.
In Australia, GST is a useful guide:
If GST applies, the grant is generally consideration for a supply. It is trade.
If GST does not apply, the grant is generally a gift or donation. It is not trade.
There are a few exceptions where GST does not apply even though the payment is for a supply:
The supply is for GST-free goods or services (e.g. most basic foods, some education courses, and some medical, health, and care services);
The supply is for an input-taxed activity (e.g. 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? If yes, it should generally be treated as trade.
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Trade can be non-monetary or involve alternative currency transactions.
In Australia, the value of non-monetary and alternative currency transactions is recognised by converting the trade to its fair market value in Australian dollars at the time the transaction takes place.