Social Traders certification is established, trusted and world-leading.
It’s for all the businesses putting people and planet first. It’s how we protect the sector against the growing risk of social washing.
In 2017, we developed Australia's social enterprise certification to de-risk social enterprise procurement. Since then, it has expanded to clearly identify and elevate the whole social enterprise sector.
Certification is for all social enterprise types, legal structures and stages of development.
Our certification is world-leading, tailored to the Australian market, and endorsed by the Social Enterprise World Forum. It's one of only six ‘double badge’ partners in the world. Only Social Traders offers the double badge of certification and verification – the highest standard in the Australian market.
We've been building a thriving social enterprise sector since 2008. The Social Traders certification is supported by government, leading philanthropists, Australia’s largest businesses and used by hundreds of certified social enterprises.
Why certify
- Join a national community of genuine social enterprises
Build meaningful connections with other social enterprises and collaborate - Strengthen your position
Be recognised as a genuine social enterprise that puts people and planet first - Get listed on the national directory
Get visibility on Australia’s national directory of social enterprises, the Social Enterprise Finder - Activate the global People and Planet First mark for free
Activate your global People and Planet first mark – exclusively available for free to social enterprises certified with Social Traders - Secure grant funding
Improve your chances of winning grants by showing you’re a genuine social enterprise with our grant partners (Local, State and Federal Government, and leading philanthropists) - Expand your business
Connect with Australia’s largest network of businesses and governments working with Social Traders to buy from social enterprise. Access new market opportunities through social procurement - Access exclusive events and content
Get free tickets to the leading sector events run by Social Traders and our partners - connect with buyers, collaborate with other social enterprises, and stay on top of sector trends
Advisory Group
Sometimes certification applications can be complex. Our Social Traders Certification Advisory Group provides an independent, third-party perspective on these matters. They also provide general advice to Social Traders on certification as the social enterprise sector continues to evolve.
Keith Rovers
Michael De Soyza
Nicola Nation
Social Traders maintains an audit and review process and will investigate issues or complaints raised against a certified social enterprise. The scope of any review that is conducted will be based on issues aligned with our certification framework.
Full details can be found in our Certification Complaints and Review Process document.
Thanks to our supporters
The Social Traders social enterprise certification standards have been developed in consultation with our supporters at EY and Minter Ellison.
“In addition to the tangible benefits, the sense of belonging to a community of purpose-driven individuals has been incredibly motivating. Sharing experiences and insights with fellow social entrepreneurs has not only enriched our understanding but has also ignited fresh ideas and innovative approaches to addressing societal challenges.”
Nora Fraser, Multicultural Professional Network, certified social enterprise