A job is so much more than a pay cheque. It’s a source of pride, purpose and connection to community. It can boost your self-worth, improve your health, and simply make you happier[1].
Yet it’s not a level playing field when it comes to finding a job. Today, almost 2M Australians are unemployed or underemployed, and the systems that exist to support people back into work aren’t all that successful.
This is why jobs-focused social enterprises, like Beacon, exist. Because we know (and research shows) that when you build a business and workplace with people in mind, they’ll thrive. Take people with disability, for instance. They are almost 3x more likely to still be employed with a social enterprise after 12 months, compared to those who find work through Disability Employment Services.[2]
These businesses, like all social enterprises, are purpose-built to find the perfect balance between purpose and profit.
So today, on World Social Enterprise Day we’re celebrating what we do here at Beacon, and high-fiving all social enterprises across Australia.
If you’ve only just discovered us, we have two sites – Bangalow, NSW, and Adelaide, SA – and a combined workforce of 220 people (we’re actually the largest local employer in the Northern Rivers).
In Bangalow, 80% of the team are people who haven’t had the smoothest ride, some have experienced long term unemployment, others are battling with addiction, homelessness or mental health challenges. In Adelaide, where we are actually transitioning an existing laundry to a social enterprise, our team has greater cultural diversity. About 55% are new migrants or refugees, and 16% are people with a disability.
That’s one of the beautiful things about Beacon and all jobs-focused social enterprises – we welcome people from all backgrounds and life experiences. So long as you have a willingness to work, and a willingness to move on one day when you’re ready, the door is open.
Beyond our world of jobs-focused social enterprises, the broader social enterprise sector in Australia is substantial, with over 12,000 social enterprises that contribute $21.3 billion to the national economy annually, accounting for more than 1% of GDP. Collectively, these enterprises employ over 200,000 people, representing about 1.6% of the Australian workforce.
Some new research out today from Social Traders, one of the veteran organisations of our sector, goes even deeper into this data. We’re getting bigger, stronger and more widely known as a sector of business in Australia.
So, in the spirit of World Social Enterprise Day, we leave you with just one ask … google ‘social enterprises near me’ and see what pops up. You might be surprised!
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[1] Centre for Social Impact Year 1 Evaluation of the Payment By Outcomes Trial (PBO3).
[2] Taylor Fry Report 2024, Costs and benefits comparison social enterprise employment and Disability Employment Services, White Box Enterprises.
