News & Insights - Social Traders

What makes social enterprise successful

New research reveals a clear answer, and it has significant implications for governments, investors and social enterprises themselves.

Sector News Case Studies

Leading through inclusion: The partnership transforming diverse and inclusive workforce

CPB CareerSeekers social impact partnership.

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From e‑waste to empowerment: A game‑changing approach

Award-winning certified social enterprise, WV Technologies making waves.

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What is social procurement?

Embed social enterprises into your supply chain, turn your buying power into business value.

Sector News

Driving social performance and ethical business practices further

Social Traders partners with The Freedom Hub making social performance, business as usual.

Sector News Case Studies

One introduction made a national impact

RCYCL's greatest growth through a Social Traders connection.

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Redefining Leadership Through Social Performance

Sector News

2026 State of Social Procurement

Social procurement is gaining global momentum with social issues now one of the biggest drivers of supply chain disruption worldwide.

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Human rights in business

Respecting human rights isn’t a box to tick, it’s a principle that must be embedded into the DNA of daily business practices.

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7 ways for sport to enhance social performance

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games into a force for good.

Sector News

Trade revenue is growing and fuels social enterprise impact

New report reveals 10% trade revenue growth for purpose-driven businesses, proving profit and purpose can co-exist and must, for an impact economy.

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Lifting social performance among SMEs

Mirvac and Icon equipping and empowering their supply chain to make a greater impact with Social Traders.

Sector News

Tackling modern slavery: Why every business has a role – and an opportunity

Businesses that act early gain more than compliance, they gain a competitive advantage.

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Breaking the mould: SPA and Navaroo’s award-winning social procurement strategy 

Instead of treating Navaroo like a typical subcontractor, SPA redesigned its approach to make the partnership succeed.

Sector News

Social Traders Awards | Hall of Fame

View the business for good community, trailblazing social enterprise and social performance for a fairer, more equitable Australia.

Sector News

Businesses shift to social performance

The frontrunners are already working to get ahead of regulatory requirements by building social performance into their business strategy.

Sector News

ICN and Social Traders partnership

A partnership to transform the social procurement landscape for the better.

Sector News Case Studies

Community banks as social enterprise

A unique banking model that’s making a real difference to Australian communities.

Sector News

WorldCC and Social Traders partnering for impact

Joining forces to champion inclusive procurement.

Sector News

Social Traders advocates for social enterprise to be part of the productivity agenda

Social enterprise can drive productivity, economic resilience, and budget sustainability.

Best practice Case Studies

Your sporting organisation can create social impact - here’s how

Brisbane 2032 is far more than a sporting event. It’s a national opportunity to show what sport can do when purpose leads the way.

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Sector News

Strengthening sustainability of Queensland charities

Introducing the Adapt for Impact program, supporting 9 small-to-medium sized NFPs or charities ready to grow their revenue from trade.

Sector News Case Studies

Innovation for inclusion: Australia’s first social impact kiosk delivering impact outcomes

A collaboration between Lendlease and Meals with Impact delivering meaningful change at the intersection of employment, food systems, and inclusion.

Best practice

The ESG blind spot: why the ‘S’ is essential to business success

Looking at the social pillar in ESG presents an opportunity for businesses to get a competitive edge.

Trends & Insights

Exclusive insights from our recent industry forums

Social procurement is gaining momentum, but clear policy, supplier support, and internal advocacy are critical to scale impact.

Case Studies

Your retired tech has the power to feed Australians and drive ESG wins

Most businesses don't think twice about their old laptops. They pile up, get wiped, and quietly disappear. But for Nando's, retired tech became something unexpected.

Sector News

Top 5 trends businesses can’t afford to ignore

Social procurement in Australia has hit a major milestone – businesses have spent $1.1 billion with certified social enterprises from FY18 - FY24.

Sector News

Building on success: The Supplier Development Program returns with a bigger 2025 cohort

A program unlocking demand for social enterprise through procurement, creating a leadership position in building a sustainable, inclusive supply chain.

Sector News Case Studies

A blueprint for social impact: What businesses can learn from Downer and GAME Traffic

A partnership that proves that business success and social impact can go hand in hand.

Sector News Case Studies

Government procurement teams have the power to drive real social and economic change

Securing high-quality services while creating employment for people facing barriers to work through social enterprises.

Sector News Best practice

Step up and stand out through social performance

There's opportunity for organisations to step up and stand out from the crowd by demonstrating and measuring real and tangible impact.

Sector News

Holidays with purpose: Why your next family getaway should support social enterprises

Make every booking count and create some good.

Sector News Trends & Insights

Record-breaking $1.1 billion social procurement spend in Australia

Business and government increasing spend with social enterprises to unlock social impact.

Sector News Trends & Insights

Future of DEI and ESG

Is DEI on the way out? How are Social Traders members responding?

Trends & Insights

Drive lasting social and environmental change in property

There's untapped potential in the property sector to create significant impact with social enterprises.

Best practice

A simple change to empower more women

Social procurement is one of the best levers for businesses to empower women – simply by switching their spend to certified social enterprises that support women.

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Sector News

Exploring the benefits of social enterprise certification for co-operatives

Social Traders certification provides validation and a platform for growth, helping co-operatives achieve sustainable success.

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Diversity, equity and inclusion in supply chains

Social enterprise creating fair and inclusive workforce.

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AI to transform ethical supply chain reporting

Social Traders and RobobAI providing businesses comprehensive, real-time insight into the impact of their supply chain spend.

Sector News

Social enterprise and social performance key in 2025

Social Traders as the industry body, providing businesses support in an evolving sector.

Exploring the Benefits of Social Enterprise Accreditation for Co-operatives

The biggest thing needed to enable growth is access to customers.

Sector News

Celebrating a year of growth, collaboration and impact

Driving Social Traders third phase of development

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Social enterprise sustainability solutions

Rethinking waste: Collaborating with social enterprise on sustainability.

Sector News

Social impact data and measurement

Measuring the impact of social procurement has long been a challenge for organisations… until now.

Transforming lives: Creative Plus Business and NSW Government impact partnership

Looking beyond just value for money and embracing long term, purpose-driven partnerships that create lasting community benefits.

Sector News

Report on identified social enterprises in Australia

Social enterprise, a resilient business model generating impact on the Australian economy

Sector News

Social Traders Convene 2024 Highlights

Part two of the insights at Convene 2024

Sector News

Social Traders Convene 2024 Wrap

40+ speakers, 20+ sessions and 17 partners supporting business for good.

Case Studies

Delivering organisational values through social enterprises

Nando’s ANZ using social procurement as a lever to fulfill their brand mission 'changing lives, together' by supporting their local communities.

Trends & Insights Case Studies

Sustainability in sports

Social enterprises can deliver sustainability in sports, more than organisations think.

Case Studies

Working with social enterprise for a sustainable future

Hanson, as part of the Heidelberg Cement Group is working with social enterprises to support their responsible sourcing strategy.

Sector News Best practice

Mirvac and Green Connect award-winning partnership

Award-winning social performance partnership focusing on sustainability, waste diversion, and ethical labour hire.

Sector News

Give with purpose: 5 social enterprises for gifts with impact

Make your gift-giving count by shopping with certified social enterprises.

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Chatstat safeguarding youth mental health

Award winning Chatstat AI-driven system has already safeguarded over 28,000 young children.

Sector News

Empowering youth-focused social enterprises

Social Traders Grow Program continues to support social enterprises to scale through trade.

Best practice Case Studies

Creating opportunities for people living with disabilities

Award winning OC Connections Enterprises (OCCE) identifying a market-opportunity and respond successfully to create impact.

Signing Supply Nation WE Connect Social Traders

Sector News

Social Traders, Supply Nation and WEConnect International partnership

Working collaboratively to lead significant step change of procurement sector in Australia.

Best practice Case Studies

Change happens at the speed of trust

Charter Hall and Two Good Co share their journey to national recognition.

Best practice Case Studies

Mirvac's not wasting a chance to give back

Mirvac partnered with Mates on the Move - helping reduce recidivism by providing job opportunities for people exiting the corrections system.

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2024 NSW and ACT Game Changer Award Winners and Finalists

Recognising outstanding achievements among social entrepreneurs and social procurement leaders.

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2024 QLD and NT Game Changer Award Winners and Finalists

Celebrating the 2024 Queensland and Northern Territory winners.

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Congratulations 2024 SA and WA Game Changer Award Winners and Finalists

Congratulations to the game changer winners making waves.

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2024 VIC and TAS Game Changer Award Winners and Finalists

The frontrunners making business for good, business as usual.

Providing opportunities for sector development and growth

Partnering with more organisations to expand our offering in supporting our vibrant community.

CEO update: Keeping the momentum going

New milestones as we continue to grow

Case Studies

Blend Creative's transformative collaboration with Australia Post

Aligning values and fostering a commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and authenticity.

Sector News

Social Traders response to the Workforce Australia Employment Services Inquiry

Driving meaningful workforce development initiatives across Australia through certification and collaboration

CEO update: Another big step forward for social enterprise

Government’s commitment to backing social enterprise increases

Sector News Case Studies

Supplier Development Program accelerates social enterprise growth

Mirvac and Social Traders partner to deliver unique program to amplify impact through supply chain

Trends & Insights

Why is social enterprise certification important?

Certification is critical to clearly define and elevate the social enterprise sector, here's how.

Best practice

Australian local councils can become leaders in social procurement

How switching to social enterprises unlocks impact

Best practice

Local councils around Australia engaging with social enterprise to create impact

Local councils engaging with social enterprises, creating impact

Sector News

CEO Message: Social enterprises and organisations working together in new ways

Continuing support and starting new initiatives

Sector News

Commonwealth support for social enterprise procurement

Australia faces social, environmental, and economic challenges that demand new responses. The social enterprise sector can help.

Sector News

Embedding social enterprises into Australia's employment services system

Advocating for change, recommendations being included in final report

Case Studies

A partnership creating seeds of change: Natura Pacific and Yarrabilba

Championing biodiversity while creating employment opportunities within correctional facilities.

Trends & Insights Best practice

Social enterprise procurement delivering value and impact

Procurement teams are evolving to be value-creators and driving positive change.

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Case Studies

Yarra Trams and Travellers Aid: Transforming accessibility on the world's largest tram network

Sector News

Social procurement market growth

Social Traders impact report showcases world-leading social procurement growth and the increasing impact of social enterprises.

Sector News

Scriibed helping survivors of domestic and family violence towards financial freedom

Flexible, remote work is helping women survivors towards financial freedom

Case Studies

WV Technologies reaping the benefits of Grow membership to drive social impact further

Being showcased by Social Traders, proved instrumental in unlocking new opportunities.

Sector News

Next steps in unlocking business for good

Australian Government backing social enterprise to deliver multiple policy agendas

We back the sector's call for a national social enterprise strategy and have put forth three key recommendations to Federal Government.

Fruit2Work rebuilding lives through employment and social impact

Providing meaningful employment for individuals impacted by the justice system.

Leveraging social enterprises to transform NSW Government procurement for social impact

Social Traders has lodged a submission in response to the NSW Inquiry.

Sector News

Backing social enterprise: A look at social enterprise strategies

The year 2023 has yielded unprecedented recognition, engagement and investment from the Australian Government on the role of social enterprise in our economy.

Sector News

Social enterprise certification highly valued

Social Traders delivering support and value in validating genuine social enterprises.

Breaking new ground: First certified social enterprise in the community banking model

Breaking new ground | First certified social enterprise in the community banking model

Federal Government releases final report on Workforce Australia

Large-scale reform called for to enable Australians to participate in economic and social life, regardless of who they are or where they live.

Certification updates to ensure inclusivity for Indigenous social enterprises

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Federal Government's 'Working Future' white paper paves the way for social enterprise

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Supplier Development Program Partnership

Mirvac and Social Traders, accelerating social enterprise capability and capacity for sector growth.

Sector News

Media Release 2023 Summit

Media release: Social enterprise procurement in Australia fastest growing

Case Studies

Give Industries: A five-year journey towards sustainable growth

Successfully combining a social and sustainable mission with a strategic and business-focused mindset, now with more plans to expand.

Sector News Best practice

Support social enterprises

Five ways to support social enterprises

Sector News

SBS News Social Traders and CommUnity Construction

Social enterprises provide work for many disadvantaged groups, including refugees and asylum seekers.

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Social Traders urges support for social enterprise sector

Social Traders report reveals social enterprise sector pumps $2.25bn into the economy each year.

Best practice

Reasons why you should get certified as a social enterprise

Stand out from the crowd, with prove of your genuine purpose and grow further.

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Assembled Threads and Icon: 2023 National Social Procurement Trailblazers

Focusing on circularity while bridging employment gaps, building a more inclusive workforce.

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Certified Social Enterprise Fruit2Work Featured on Channel 9 News

Commitment to offering second chances and transforming lives.

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New report reveals motivations, barriers and success factors in social procurement

Why setting social procurement targets is key to embedding organisational change.

Media Release: Australian social enterprise making a real impact on economy, jobs

Social Traders report reveals social enterprises generate a total of $2.25b in annual revenue, playing an instrumental role in employment opportunities.