Social enterprise is growing and making an important contribution to creating a more diverse and inclusive economy, including providing employment and access to services for disadvantaged Australians.   

To support this growth sustainably, and the development of a more diverse and inclusive economy overall, a range of support mechanisms are required, including, but not limited to, national and state-based strategies for social enterprise, appropriate legal structure and access to finance and markets. 

To build these support mechanisms, several state-based councils and networks have/are forming. The initiatives outlined below are proof of real momentum for social enterprise in Australia.

It is our hope that the combined actions of state-based social enterprise networks will inevitably encourage the establishment of a national social enterprise strategy and agenda.

National

Social Enterprise Australia

“Social Enterprise Australia is the peak body for social enterprise in Australia. We connect the sector to plan, act and learn together. We do this to have a shared national strategy and voice, and to develop new ways to build social and environmental wellbeing.”

Website: www.socialenterpriseaustralia.org.au

Contact: hello@socialenterpriseaustralia.org.au

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/social-enterprise-australia

Twitter: www.twitter.com/socentaus

Alliance of Social Enterprise Networks Australia (ASENA)

“Social enterprise networks in each State and Territory have united to build a common vision for a better future and form a new national voice for the social enterprise sector – the Alliance of Social Enterprise Networks Australia (ASENA).”

Website: www.asena.org.au

Contact: hello@asena.org.au

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asena1

Queensland

Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC)

“Run by members, for members. Queensland Social Enterprise Council is the peak body democratically representing Social Enterprise in Queensland.”

Website: www.qsec.org.au

Contact: online@qsec.org.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/QLDSEC

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/queensland-social-enterprise-council

Twitter: www.twitter.com/QSocEnt

Social Enterprise Network for the Tropics (SENT)

“Social Enterprise Network for the Tropics (SENT) is a membership network of social enterprise stakeholders from across the Tropics. SENT believes that there are a range of issues and challenges that exist across the Tropics, and that social enterprises and social entrepreneurship can promote positive change in these areas.”

Website: https://www.sentfnq.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sentfnq

Victoria

Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC)

“SENVIC was established in early 2018 to build a connected community of social enterprises, facilitate access to learning and development opportunities, and increase the voice and influence of social enterprise across Victoria.”

Website: www.senvic.org.au

Contact: hello@senvic.org.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SENetworkVIC

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/social-enterprise-network-vic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SENetworkVIC

Instagram: www.instagram.com/se_network_victoria

New South Wales

Social Enterprise Council for NSW & ACT (SECNA)

“The Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA) is a member-led peak body to represent the interests of social entrepreneurs and social enterprises across New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory.”

Website: www.secna.org.au

Contact: secouncil.nswact@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/SECouncilNSWACT

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/secouncilnswact

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SECouncilNSWACT

Instagram: www.instagram.com/secouncilnswact

Australian Capital Territory

See above: Social Enterprise Council for NSW & ACT (SECNA)

South Australia

South Australian Social Enterprise Council (SASEC)

“The Association’s Mission is to promote, support and achieve the development and sustainability of the social enterprise sector in South Australia.” – from draft constitution

Website: www.meetup.com/en-AU/Adelaide-Social-Enterprise

Contact: sharon@wickedlab.com.au

Northern Territory

Impact North

“Impact North is a community for Northern Australian innovators who are creating social, environmental and cultural impact through their businesses.”

Website: www.impactnorth.org.au 

Contact: hello@impactnorth.org.au 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/impactnorth

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/impact-north

Western Australia

Western Australia Social Enterprise Council (WASEC)

“The WA Social Enterprise Council (in conjunction with the Impact Investment Alliance of WA) will create a link between funding sources and the sector, with the vision for the Social Enterprise Council being to promote and grow the social enterprise sector in Western Australia.”

Website: www.impactseed.org/wasec

Contact: hello@wasec.org.au / team@impactseed.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImpactSeedOrg

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/wasec1 / www.linkedin.com/company/impactseed

Twitter: www.twitter.com/impactseedorg

Instagram: www.instagram.com/impactseedorg

Tasmania

“Social Enterprise Network Tasmania (SENTAS) is the peak body for social enterprises in Tasmania. SENTAS exists to work for and with the sector on principles of cooperation and collaboration – a strong, united voice representing the interests of Tasmania’s social enterprise sector.”

Website: www.sentas.org.au

Contact: hello@wasec.org.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SocEntTAS

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sentas-social-enterprise-network-tasmania

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SocEntTas