It was a year of remarkable progress and milestones for Australia's social enterprise sector.
From groundbreaking research and funding commitments to innovative partnerships, ambitious programs, bold initiatives, milestones, and more - this year showcased the sector’s ability to influence policy, champion underserved communities, catalyse regional development and highlight the sector’s commitment to inclusivity and social equity. Below, we share the sector-level happenings that shaped social enterprise in Australia in 2024.
We're spotlighting sector-level stories here, yet it’s the social enterprises themselves that define the sector. Every milestone shared here stems from their daily hard work, resilience, and commitment to supporting communities and creating change.
January 2024
The Schwab Foundation's Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship's groundbreaking research revealed there are approximately 10 million social enterprises globally and that these enterprises generate around $2 trillion in annual revenues and create over 200 million jobs.
The Australian Social Impact Investing Taskforce released its Final Report after the Treasurer's Investor Roundtable session on Social Impact Investing.
The Three Years of Scaling Impact: Growing the Pipeline of Investment-Ready Social Enterprises report was released by the Social Impact Hub.
Westpac Scholars Trust announced the ten entrepreneurs awarded a 2024 Social Change Fellowship.
SASEC shared the highlights from South Australia's first-ever social enterprise bus tour.
February 2024
Impact Club celebrated ten years.
Social Enterprise World Forum's People and Planet First website went live.
Impact North and Enterprise Learning Projects (ELP) released the First Nations Women Social Enterprise Forum report.
Social Traders Australia published its Federal Government Pre-budget Submission.
Impact Seed published its 2024/25 State Budget Submission.
Oxfam threw its weight behind social enterprises and cooperatives.
March 2024
Frankston Social Enterprise Hub celebrated its second birthday.
White Box Enterprises and a small group of impact investors worked with CERES Environment Park to secure a $1.8M property in Brunswick East.
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship launched the Rise Ahead Pledge to help meet the estimated $1.125 trillion in funding required by social enterprises to work and build a more sustainable, equitable world for all.
Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) and AMP Foundation announced a partnership to expand the Social Enterprise Schools program.
Social Enterprise World Forum and ACRE extended a public invitation to be part of shaping the Rural Manifesto to influence rural social enterprise policy.
Social Ventures Australia published Impact at Scale, a paper bringing together insights from over 400 leaders driving social change.
Australian philanthropy directed to the climate and environment increased at ten times the rate of overall philanthropy.
The Snow Foundation published its 2023 annual report.
The Mill House Ventures Ltd. announced the individuals who will comprise the ACT Social Enterprise Grant programs' Independent Assessment Panel.
Social Traders Australia released its FY23 Impact Report.
The Body Shop's collapse into administration is mourned by the impact community.
Centre for Social Impact Swinburne University of Technology researchers published new research exploring how Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE) can support people with a disability into mainstream employment.
SECNA lodged a submission to the inquiry into the procurement practices of government agencies in NSW.
Tony Burke MP visited social enterprises Green Collect and YMCA ReBuild.
April 2024
Social Enterprise Australia and Social Traders flew the flag for social enterprises at a landmark event at Parliament House.
Australia's social enterprise peak bodies convened in Canberra to strengthen their collaboration efforts.
Impact Investment Summit APAC was held at the International Convention Centre Sydney.
StartSomeGood and The Shift Lab: Tasmania's First Social Impact Incubator hosted the first Pitch For Good event in Southern Tasmania.
Impact Investment Network SA (formerly Impact Investment Network SA) hosted its relaunch event.
Westpac Foundation hosted its 2024 Reimagine Westpac Scholars Summit.
Minister for the Department of Social Services (DSS) Amanda Rishworth MP announced details on the Australian Government's $11.6 million Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI).
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr MP announced the recipients of the inaugural ACT Social Enterprise Grant program delivered by The Mill House Ventures.
QBE Insurance Australia Foundation announced its first seed capital grant of $500,000 to First Australians Capital.
Centre for Social Impact announced its 2024 scholarship recipients.
Australia's proposed National Autism Strategy pledges to empower autistic individuals to create their own social enterprises.
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship released a new report addressing racial and ethnic equity through social innovation.
The Government's House Standing Committee on Economics' 'Better Competition, Better Prices' report was published and mentioned "social enterprise" 80 times and included it in several recommendations.
May 2024
The 2024 Federal Budget heralded a significant turning point for the social enterprise sector in Australia, building on the momentum of collaborative efforts and advocacy.
Social Traders Australia was in Canberra for the Federal Budget, where CEO Tara Anderson joined a pre-budget industry event hosted by Dr Daniel Mulino and Senator Deborah O'Neill.
WA Social Enterprise Council celebrated receiving a two-year grant from Lotterywest.
SECNA convened its Annual General Meeting.
AMP Foundation announced the first cohort of the Tomorrow Makers IGNITE program, which is being delivered by Impact Boom.
StartSomeGood was acquired by General Good.
The Snow Foundation launched Lead the Way, a new leadership program co-designed with the Social Impact Hub.
Centre for Social Impact launched 'Research for Social Impact', a new monthly podcast hosted by Susan Pizzati.
Philanthropy Australia announced a new major strategic partnership with the Minderoo Foundation.
White Box Enterprises launched a new website for Witton Barracks, a reimagined community and social enterprise hub in Indooroopilly, Queensland.
Impact Investment Exchange - IIX launched IIX Intelligence, a platform aggregating impact data from more than 60 countries.
Coordinated by Catalyst 2030, Catalysing Change Week was held from 6 – 10 May.
World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) 's World Fair Trade Day was celebrated on Saturday 4 May.
People and Planet First social enterprise verification rolled out in Australia.
Blended finance deals reached a five-year high in 2023, according to the 'State of Blended Finance 2024' report published by Convergence, the global network for blended finance.
June 2024
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited social enterprise The Bread & Butter Project.
White Box Enterprises opened a second Beacon Laundry in Adelaide in collaboration with Bedford Group.
South Australian Social Enterprise Council (SASEC), Social Traders and Collab4Good hosted the Business for Good Conference in South Australia.
Social Enterprise Australia CEO Jess Moore joined Kristy Muir from the Paul Ramsay Foundation and Adam McCurdie from Humanitix for a panel on the Helping Hands TV show to discuss the positive impact of social enterprise across Australia.
More than 200 guests attended the HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program pitch event, marking the end of the 14-week program led by Impact Boom.
Centre for Social Impact announced the 24 for-purpose CEOs from Queensland and the Northern Territory selected for the fully-funded Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) Program.
2024-25 Queensland State Budget included $1.9M to continue the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund (SEJF) and support the Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC).
The adoption of social impact evaluation received a significant boost with a $2.1 million grant from the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
A new report by the Schwab Foundation's Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship provided social innovators with a comprehensive roadmap to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) more ethically and effectively.
Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA) CEO Kylie Flament championed social enterprise at the Parliament of NSW for the inquiry into the procurement practices of government agencies in New South Wales.
Social Traders ran a Roundtable with key representatives across five SA Government departments to unpack the Federal Government's FY24 and FY25 budget initiatives and how they relate and align to State Government activities, agendas and opportunities.
Australia's social enterprise sector and the new People and Planet First verification were featured on ABC News.
July 2024
SASEC, Social Traders and Collab4Good hosted the inaugural Business for Good Conference in South Australia.
Impact Boom marked the successful completion of the fourth year of delivering the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn wore an outfit from The Social Outfit, repping Australian social enterprise at the swearing-in ceremony.
Impact North opened its new coworking space in Darwin.
Melanie Greblo of Banksia Academy and Scriibed acquired Humans of Purpose.
National NAIDOC Week 2024 was 7 – 14 July.
Uncle Kim Collard, Balladong/Wadjuk Elder of the Noongar Nation, was named Male Elder of the Year at the 2024 NAIDOC Awards.
Indigenous Business Australia and the Federal Government provided $2.7 million to social enterprises run by First Nations women.
The Social Enterprise Council of NSW and ACT (SECNA) was awarded a $500,000 grant from the NSW Government to run a two-year project to boost women-led social enterprises.
The Community Compass report, commissioned by Our Community and the Community Council for Australia, revealed significant disparities in Australians' perceptions of the community sector.
The Albanese Government released its response to the House Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services findings and agreed that reforms, including doing more with social enterprise, are necessary.
The Australian Government announced updates to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.
Social Traders' CEO Tara Anderson spoke at the Parliament of NSW's inquiry into the procurement practices of government agencies in New South Wales.
The Business For Good Network (BFGN) kicked-off its first webinar series with the Social Impact Hub.
August 2024
Social Traders revealed the winners of its National Game Changer Awards.
SECNA hosted the Social Enterprise Festival.
Paris 2024's active strategy to support social enterprises to access contracts is hailed as a success by organisers.
Impact Boom celebrated reaching Episode 500.
Canva celebrated $1 billion of product donated to social impact.
Community Capital announced its FY24 grant recipients, with eight Social Purpose Organisations sharing over A$4.4 million in grants.
WISE Grant Collaboration shared insights from its interim evaluation.
For Purpose Investment Partners received a $260 million joint debt facility from NAB, CBA, and Bank Australia.
Day Four Projects published an interim evaluation report of the WISE Open Grant Round, which explores the initial experiences of partner organisations, grant applicants and recipients.
The World Benchmarking Alliance's Social Benchmark reveals 90% of the world's 2,000 most influential companies are not even halfway to meeting fundamental societal expectations on human rights, decent work and ethical conduct.
The Financial Times, in partnership with the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), published a list of over 100 impact investors and their assets under management.
Impact North Reconciliation Week 2024 Report was released.
Climate Salad launched the ACTI 2024 report on the Australian climate tech industry.
Social Traders published its latest white paper on social procurement.
TACSI published a white paper on building networks for systemic impact.
The Albanese Government released its response to the House Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services findings and agrees reforms, including doing more with social enterprise, are necessary.
Givvable, People and Planet First (PPF), Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) and Local Buy announce a partnership to boost the visibility of verified social enterprises across Queensland.
Bangladeshi economist, entrepreneur, politician, and civil society leader Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh to head an interim government.
Impact Boom and GoodNorth co-hosted the Reignite Retreats.
September 2024
White Box Enterprise celebrated its 5th birthday and officially opened its social enterprise hub at Witton Barracks.
Social Impact in the Regions conference took place in Kempsey NSW.
Social Traders announced the 2024 National Trailblazer winners.
Strive Philanthropy's GivingLarge report revealed corporate giving in Australia is rising, with donations up about 30% in the past five years.
Enterprise Learning Projects released a report capturing the key discussions and outcomes from its 2024 Reconciliation Week events.
CSI Swinburne identified five core, overlapping elements of successful evidence centre models.
According to the World Giving Index 2024, a record 4.3 billion people showed some form of generosity in 2023.
The Productivity Commission launched an inquiry into Australia's opportunities in the circular economy.
The Australian Federal Court ordered Mercer Super to pay a $11.3 million penalty for misleading statements.
Digital Storytellers relaunched the Impact Story Lab.
WASEC (Western Australia Social Enterprise Council) collaborated with the Department of Finance to convene ~30 social enterprise leaders and key employers for an important dialogue focused on shaping a social procurement policy that values positive impact over the lowest price.
ACRE, SEWF, and SENVIC announced it was co-designing a Rural Social Enterprise Network for Australia.
October 2024
Impact Seed hosted the first Impact Economy Forum, bringing together 200 diverse attendees to explore innovative and collaborative solutions for shaping future policies in impact investment and social enterprise.
WSA Australia announced Australia's nominees for the WSA Global Competition 2024.
Mill House Ventures released its 2021-23 Impact Report at the GRIST24 Graduation & Impact Showcase event.
The Westpac Foundation surpassed its goal of helping to secure 10,000 job opportunities for Australians facing barriers to employment - five years ahead of its 2030 target.
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship announced its new Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action, pledging to raise and deploy $20 million by 2030 to support social entrepreneurs worldwide.
Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation launched its 2024-2029 plan, including $600 million-plus for investment into Aboriginal communities and businesses in the Northern Territory.
Four foundations established by Westpac Group award over $5 million to more than 85 social enterprises and community organisations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced funding commitments totalling $700 million from multiple countries, foundations, and private sector partners to support its ongoing core work.
White Box Enterprises released its 2024 Taylor Fry report, revealed new data that shows social enterprises deliver better outcomes for the long-term unemployed.
The UNSW Centre for Social Impact and IP Australia released the IP for Social Good: Balancing Economic and Social Aims report about how intellectual property can drive social benefits and economic growth.
ASIC's interventions on greenwashing misconduct 2023-2024 report outlined the regulatory interventions made in response to greenwashing claims during the financial year 2023–2024.
A new report from Pay What It Takes (PWIT) shared the wisdom and experiences of philanthropic leaders on their shared journey of creating sustainable organisations that consistently benefit communities across the country.
UnLtd's FY24 Industry Impact Report revealed the advertising industry's record-breaking $95M social impact buy from media donations, volunteering, and campaign support.
The final report from the parliamentary inquiry into Procurement Practices of Government Agencies in New South Wales and Its Impact on the Social Development of the People of New South Wales was released, which included insights and recommendations into enhancing social enterprise involvement in government procurement.
The Activating Employment Futures Through Work Integration Social Enterprise research project and learning partnership published its first insights report about scaling the employment outcomes of work integration social enterprises.
The 193-member UN General Assembly voted to adopt the Pact for the Future, a landmark declaration pledging concrete actions towards a safer, more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive world for tomorrow's generations.
SECNA announced the two-year Women in Social Enterprise Program to support 500 women in social enterprise across New South Wales, funded by the NSW Government.
Eleven more companies have joined the Schwab Foundation's Rise Ahead Pledge - an initiative to address the $1.125T funding need of the world's 10M social innovators.
ABC Canberra Radio featured a segment on social enterprises over the weekend, which included interviews with Kylie Flament, CEO of the Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA), and Craig Fairweather, CEO of The Mill House Ventures.
The Difference Incubator (TDi) announced it is closing.
2X Global has launched the 2X Certification, a verification mechanism for leading organisations operating in gender-lens finance.
White Box Enterprises (WBE), Civik and Youth Enterprises Australia (YEA) announced a strategic merger designed to boost employment opportunities for young people facing barriers to work.
Social Traders, the national certifier of social enterprises unveiled the new and improved Social Enterprise Finder.
Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) launched the Orange Seal, a new certification recognising an organisation's commitment to Gender Equality and Sustainability.
The Officeworks-backed social enterprise Circonomy entered liquidation following challenges posed by the retail downturn.
After 53 years, Beehive Industries announced it is closing its doors.
November 2024
To celebrate World Social Enterprise Day, Social Traders released the RISE report, the most comprehensive analysis of Australia's social enterprise sector. Ever.
AMP Foundation held its Tomorrow Makers SPARK Showcase.
Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation For Purpose Impact Accelerator Hub celebrated its first anniversary since its opening in 2023.
Social Enterprise World Forum announced the 2025 forum will be held in Taipei, Taiwan 27-31 October 2025.
The winners of the 10th Annual SIMNA Awards were announced.
Social Traders Convene 2024 united over 300 changemakers, 49 inspiring speakers, and 22 dynamic sessions in a powerful day of collaboration, innovation, and learning to drive lasting impact in social enterprise. Social Traders also announced certification is now free for all social enterprises.
CASEI (Council of Australian Social Enterprise Intermediaries) convened in person for the first time.
Co-founder of Melbourne-based social enterprise STREAT, Rebecca Scott OAM was named the 2024 Melburnian of the Year!
The First Nations Business Showcase 2024, presented by The Circle - First Nations Entrepreneur Hub, celebrated South Australia's diverse First Nations businesses, featuring over 140 businesses and 1,500 attendees.
Leapfrog Investments raised $1.15bn to empower underserved populations, fostering economic growth and social progress globally.
The new Queensland state government announced an $80M commitment to support social entrepreneurs, with a new Social Entrepreneurs Fund providing AUS$20m per year in loans and grants.
Three out of four senior sustainability staff in companies around the world doubt they can achieve their net zero targets, according to The True State of Sustainability Report from Leafr.
Westpac shared its foundations' 2024 Impact Report, which for the first time, celebrated the collective achievements of Westpac Group's family of philanthropic foundations.
Produced by WIPO, the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Oxford's Saïd Business School, the latest Global Innovation Index was published, "Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship", which recognises the innovative nature of social enterprises and offering recommendations to boost their potential.
According to the State of Blended Finance 2024: Climate edition report from Convergence, investments in blended finance structures (where catalytic capital from public or philanthropic sources are used to mobilise private investment) topped US$18B in 2023, up US$8B.
The Global Impact Investing Network's newest market intelligence report showed that the global impact investing market expanded over the past five years, indicating a maturing market as more investors focus on impactful strategies across various sectors and regions.
The 'Unlocking the Power of Rural Social Enterprise' manifesto was released, developed with contributions from over 100 organisations across more than 35 countries and led by the Social Enterprise World Forum and ACRE.
The Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) published a review of its scaling efforts, analysing 15 grants totalling $91.6 million.
According to the Insights Series No. 3 B Corp Brand Awareness report by B Lab Global, younger people under 40 are more likely to be aware of B Corps than older generations, with one in four consumers globally now familiar with the brand.
Catalyst 2030 launched its latest impact report, "Our Collective Journey", during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).
White Box Enterprises, in collaboration with the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne University of Technology, released the second-year evaluation of the Payment By Outcomes Trial, highlighting the impact of 17 jobs-focused social enterprises on individuals previously excluded from work.
COP29 negotiators agreed to a framework for a global carbon credit market operating under UN rules and that billions of dollars will be mobilised each year to fund initiatives tackling CO2 emissions.
The LendForGood unveiled its new lending platform.
December 2024
WorkFoundations, one of the initiatives in the Paid Employment Pathways package, announced that it will invest $10 million to assist job seekers with complex barriers to employment to build their work readiness, with funding for social enterprises and businesses to deliver paid employment placements of up to 6 months with tailored, wrap-around services.
Westpac Scholars announced 10 changemakers awarded $50,000 Fellowships each, totalling $500,000 to enhance leadership and impact.
ACT Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries, Michael Pettersson MLA, launched the 2024-25 ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program, offering $360,000 in matched funding for innovative start-up social enterprises in Canberra.
Australian Impact Investments released the Impact Report 2024, celebrating ten years of mobilising capital for a better tomorrow, dispelling myths, and breaking down barriers.
Social Impact Hub celebrated its 10-year anniversary at Customs House, marking a decade of meaningful partnerships and collaborations.
White Box Enterprises CEO Luke Terry was awarded QLD Social Impact Leader at the annual QCOSS awards.
The WISE Hub submitted a proposal to the Australian Government addressing systemic barriers and funding challenges faced by work integration social enterprises.
The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2025 launched at the International Co-operative Alliance annual conference.
Enterprise Learning Projects released its Gathanmi video from Indigenous Business Month.
Social Enterprise Australia shared themes and ideas to be explored through SEDI's learning communities.
