Social Traders provides the only social enterprise certification in Australia

Social Traders provides the only social enterprise certification in Australia

Our logomark gives business and government the assurance that a Social enterprise has been independently verified, so more of them feel confident in directing their procurement spend this way.

Why certification is important

Why certification is important

Social enterprises are unique because they exist to create impact through trade. Purpose is at their heart, but it can be hard to quantify or explain, and they use many different legal structures.

That’s why we set up the certification process – so everyone can have confidence that the Social Enterprise model really does create social or environmental impact through trade.

We work with Social Enterprises to articulate their social impact model, and the activities and costs associated with it. This allows us to spotlight Social Enterprise and ensures everyone trusts its extraordinary impact.

Our criteria

Our criteria

Certification demonstrates that a social enterprise exists to create impact through trade by doing three things:

  1. Having a defined primary social, cultural or environmental purpose consistent with a public or community benefit.
  2. Deriving a substantial portion of their income from trade.
  3. Investing efforts and resources into their purpose such that public/community benefit outweighs private benefit.

Our certification process is supportive, offering Social Enterprises the flexibility they need across diverse models and stages of development.

Join the community and get certified

Check if you’re ready

Check if you’re ready

Take our short questionnaire and attend our certification webinar. 
Check now
Gather your documents

Gather your documents

This includes legal documents, financial statements (or planning documents for start-ups) and evidence that impact is being achieved.
Submit your application

Submit your application

Complete your online application form, which will be reviewed by our team of experts.

Our certification process

Read our full guidance notes to learn about our certification standards.

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.

Staff
Joanne McNeill
Deputy Director + Engaged Research Lead, Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation
Staff
Keith Rovers
Partner, MinterEllison
Staff
Michael De Soyza
Director, Ernst & Young
Staff
Nicola Nation
Chief Executive Officer, Tumu Whakarae

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.

Find out if you're ready to get certified

Check out the four things you need

Thanks to our supporters

The Social Traders social enterprise certification standards have been developed in consultation with our supporters at EY and Minter Ellison.

Thanks to our supporters
Thanks to our supporters
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
© Social Traders 2024
Website design by Thirst Creative