Be recognised with Australia’s certification standard, unlock new opportunities
Social Traders certification is more than a badge. It's a mark of credibility and being part of a business for good community, creating social impact through trade.
Certification is free and once you're certified, get listed on Australia's Social Enterprise Finder directory viewed more than 200,000 times annually.
You'll also have access to our member portal. View opportunities to supply, renew your certification, upskill with resources at your fingertips and more.
Heidelberg District Community Enterprise
Apply for certification at no cost
Be recognised as a genuine social enterprise through certification and unlock new opportunities.
Brandkind
Got questions? Join our monthly webinar
Not sure where to start? Our free monthly webinar covers what it means to be a certified social enterprise, how the process works, and how certification opens doors to new opportunities, including procurement pathways.
Whether you're just exploring the idea or ready to apply, there's a spot for you. Register below and come ready to ask anything.
Certification that is trusted
- Backed by international research
- Co-designed with Minter Ellison and EY
- Overseen by an independent expert advisory group
- Endorsed by the social enterprise sector and adapted ongoing based on sector needs
- Inclusive of all social enterprises models, legal structures and stages of development
What is a social enterprise?
Social enterprises are businesses that exist to create public or community benefit. Unlike traditional businesses, primarily driven by profit, social enterprises embed purpose into everything they do. It's business at its best.
Internationally, there are five key features that are recognised:
- Purpose: Their reason for being is to solve a social or environmental problem.
- Operations: They prioritise purpose, people and planet over profit in day-to-day decisions.
- Revenue: They operate with a self-sustaining revenue model.
- Use of surplus: The majority of any surplus is reinvested towards their mission.
- Structure: Their legal and financial structures are designed to protect and lock in purpose for the long term.
Green Connect
"We’re incredibly proud to be certified with Social Traders because it reflects what we do every day, supporting our local community in practical, meaningful ways. This certification has helped us connect with like‑minded enterprises who want to support a charity that makes a real difference locally and directly.
Being certified not only strengthens those partnerships, it also helps inspire others to come on board, whether as supporters, volunteers or collaborators, and be part of creating positive change right here in our community."
Third Story, certified social enterprise
Our certification advisory group
Meet our certification advisory group members. They provide an independent, third-party perspective on complex matters and offer general advice on certification as the social enterprise sector continues to evolve.
Amy Crookes
Ernst & Young (EY) Asia-Pacific Leader, ESG Services; Office of First Nations EngagementAmy Crookes is EY's Asia-Pacific Leader for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Services, responsible for supplier diversity and inclusive supply chain initiatives across the region. Through EY's Office of First Nations Engagement, she focuses on advancing economic inclusion, Indigenous business participation and sustainable social impact.
Claire Torkington
Ability Enterprises Chief Executive OfficerClaire Torkington is CEO of Ability Enterprises, a successful not-for-profit social enterprise employing around 100 people in Toowoomba, Queensland, and holding contracts with local government and private businesses. Claire has worked across private, public and government organisations in stakeholder engagement, asset management and organisational change.
Julie McKay
Enable Australia / In The Click Founder and Managing DirectorJulie McKay is a well-regarded social enterprise expert and innovator, committed to social justice and to developing employment pathway models that support disadvantaged communities. Over two decades, her award-winning leadership has helped thousands of people build skills and access opportunities across manufacturing, hospitality, construction, retail, e-commerce and the circular economy.
Katrina Brooks
Mirvac Social Sustainability ManagerKatrina Brooks is the Social Sustainability Manager at Mirvac, leading strategies that embed social value across the business through community investment, social procurement and stakeholder partnerships. She brings experience spanning corporate sustainability, governance and social enterprise, with a focus on creating inclusive economic opportunities and lasting community impact.
Keith Rovers
MinterEllison PartnerKeith Rovers is a Partner at MinterEllison and leads the firm's Social Impact practice and National Pro Bono program, collaborating with social enterprises, not-for-profits, and purpose-driven organisations on legal structures, impact investment, and sustainable finance. Keith chairs several social enterprises, including the incubator and intermediary White Box Enterprises; Australia's largest independent ticketing platform for good, Humanitix; and Xceptional Academy, which provides employment pathways for neurodiverse people. He also chairs Social Trader's Expert Advisory Group and is a board member of the Westpac Foundation and the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness , and in 2023 received an Individual Outstanding Achievement Award at the Australian Impact Investment Awards, recognising his contribution to promoting social impact and driving innovation in the sector. He has extensive corporate and project finance expertise, having advised on many major corporate and infrastructure transactions throughout his career. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and Law from Macquarie University.
Kurt Gruber
Worldview Foundation / WV Technologies Co-founderKurt Gruber is co-founder of Worldview Foundation and WV Technologies. WV Technologies is a certified social enterprise and Supply Nation certified Aboriginal business specialising in data security and the recycling of end-of-life IT equipment and critical infrastructure. Worldview Foundation is a registered charity providing holistic, wrap-around support programs for Indigenous youth.
Nicola Nation
International Certification Specialist
Tim Allen
Mircrosoft Elevate AI National Skills Director, ANZTim Allen is AI National Skills Director for Australia and New Zealand at Microsoft Elevate and a social impact leader specialising in workforce development, digital inclusion and cross-sector partnerships. He works with government, industry, education and community organisations to create pathways to employment and economic participation through skills, innovation and responsible AI.