Hi folks,
It's been a big few months for our sector.
Since the launch of Australia’s Social Enterprise Strategy, our work has moved from co-design to turning shared plans into shared action. We’ve had big changes in the Social Enterprise Australia team, as we reshape ourselves to coordinate the adopted strategy and our role in it.
We’ve also been focused on federal employment services reform. The Australian Government is undertaking the most significant reform of national employment services in almost 30 years, and - off the back of years of the sector showing what it can do and advocating for change - social enterprise has been named as part of what’s needed.
🌟 Australia's Social Enterprise strategy: help shape what comes next
Almost 500 people across the ecosystem shaped the strategy. It is focused on key areas where social enterprise can drive the most impact. And it is ecosystem-owned, so that the efforts and energy of diverse people and organisations can align to make big change possible.
It’s reaching new audiences, with coverage in The Times and Pioneers Post. Now it’s time to turn shared plans into shared action. Explore the priorities, see where you or your organisation can contribute, and help drives the changes we need.
🙌 Team changes
We've welcomed two new people to our team, and one of us has moved into a new role.
Dr Joanne McNeill (PhD) has joined as Head of Research and Policy. This feels like a full-circle moment. Jo co-authored the founding research for the social enterprise national strategy. And she joins us with deep knowledge of this work and its intent to together drive shifts towards an economy that puts people and planet first. Jo has worked across action research, social enterprise, systems innovation and public policy for over two decades, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor with Griffith University Business School and a Churchill Fellow.
Natalie O'Brien has joined as our new Chief Operating Officer. Nat has spent the past 15 years leading strategy, operations and organisational design in advocacy, policy and research settings. Most recently, she was General Manager of a newly established health research institute at the University of Technology Sydney, and previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Company Secretary at GetUp. She holds qualifications in international relations and social impact, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The exceptional Christina Chun – who has been our Chief Operating Officer since launch – is not going anywhere. She is changing roles to focus her skills and passion as our inaugural Chief Product Officer. In this role, she’ll build and share sector insights and practical supports for members and the broader ecosystem.
Image: From left: Jess Moore, Natalie O'Brien, Dr Joanne McNeill and Christina Chun.
✍️ Employment services reform
Jobs-focused social enterprises have a distinct role to play in the future employment service system. They create jobs and pathways to employment for those most shut out of work. They combine real work settings with wrap-around support. In communities with too few jobs, they create new ones.
The evidence for their value is well recognised. Three separate government reviews since 2023 named jobs-focused social enterprises as part of what’s needed. The Government’s discussion paper on employment services reform did the same.
What the discussion paper didn’t name is how to do this.
In this context, we worked with people across the sector to build an evidence-based, impact-led, collective sector response to the Government’s discussion paper. We developed this based on a review to synthesise available research and evidence, collaboration with the WISE Hub, and a structured open-invite sector consultation.
Huge thanks to all who helped shape it.
We recommend the reform:
Pay WISEs for the public value and savings they create
Establish a social enterprise innovation fund
Invest in collaboration infrastructure
Introduce wellbeing and progression measurement alongside employment metrics
Partner with the social enterprise sector to design and refine the reform
Delivered together, this would allow the new system to realise the role it already envisages for social enterprise.
📰 From across the sector and in case you missed it
Queensland social enterprise awards
The Queensland Social Enterprise Council hosted their inaugural social enterprise awards. Huge congratulations to them, to the finalists, and to winners Lighthouse Care, Geoff Smith from Australian Spatial Analytics, Social Impact Hub, The Nest Community, Happy Paws Happy Hearts, WV Technologies, Ability Enterprises, Aqua Ubique Systems, Strong Communities, and Futurum Education. Read more here.
Western Australia social enterprise awards
The WA Social Enterprise Council hosted their social enterprise awards. Huge congratulations to them, to the finalists, and to winners Kardan Construction, Sam’s Spares, G-Force Contracting, Blak Tapas Impact Group, Wyndham Collective Arts Hub, Anthony MacShane from Reboot Australia, and SOCO Realty. Read more here.
Creating pathways to work
Melbourne MP Sarah Witty highlighted two social enterprises Good Cycles, which has supported more than 800 young people facing barriers to work into employment since 2013; and Jump Left, which creates professional opportunities and pathways for artists with disability. She recognised both as examples of organisations creating opportunities for people to participate, contribute and thrive. Read more here.
Second Chance Kitchen opens pathways through food
Sydney social enterprise Plate It Forward is working with young people at Cobham Youth Justice Centre through Second Chance Kitchen, using cooking, mentoring and positive role models to build practical skills and pathways towards employment. Read more here.
Social enterprise creating pathways to work in Tasmania
Senator Carol Brown recognised Tasmanian social enterprise Hamlet in the Senate for its work creating pathways to employment for people facing significant barriers to work. More than 700 people have gained experience through Hamlet, with around 75% of people completing its training program going on to employment, combining real work experience with individualised training, work readiness and support. Read more here.
From participant to leader: The Welcome Table
Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh highlighted The Welcome Table, a House of Welcome social enterprise creating training and employment pathways for refugees and people seeking asylum. Ambreen first joined a House of Welcome program in 2010; 15 years later, she returned as a board member, bringing her professional expertise and lived experience to help lead the organisation. Read more here.
Social enterprise raised as part of tackling disability and inequity
In evidence to the Senate Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity, People With Disabilities WA highlighted employment as a critical part of addressing housing insecurity for disabled people, pointing to social enterprise as one potential part of the solution. CEO Kat Johns described the barriers many disabled and autistic people face in securing work despite being highly qualified, alongside the need for accessible housing, advocacy and financial support. Read more here.
Best,
Jess Moore
CEO, Social Enterprise Australia