The State of the Social Economy in Australia: Inaugural Summary Report 2025
Year Two of the Australian Social Economy Survey is now open, inviting sector leaders to help drive the next stage of this landmark research.
Executive Summary -Year One Report
PURPOSE AND PROSPERITY WORKING HAND IN HAND
A world where economies are measured by the extent to which they generate positive social and environmental outcomes – this is the new reality being shaped around the globe by the social economy. A collaborative ecosystem of organisations, ranging from charities and cooperatives to social enterprises and certified B Corps, that place societies’ wellbeing at the very heart of their operations. A thriving economy can only exist as part of healthy communities and a sustainable planet.
While specific definitions vary depending on regional differences, a common set of principles unite these organisations:
• Leading for purpose over profit, with a core commitment to achieving social, cultural, or environmental outcomes.
• Reliance on collaboration and cooperation across diverse industries and sectors – both public and private.
• Reinvesting most profits and all surpluses to deliver social benefit to community users or society at large.
• Abiding by participatory governance and business models that follow inclusive and sustainable principles with a focus on social progress.
The social economy has a significant economic contribution globally, representing an estimated 7-10% of global gross domestic product while simultaneously addressing growing socio-economic and environmental challenges around the world.¹
Here in Australia, a lack of research means there is limited understanding of the full potential of the social economy as a conceptual framework. Collecting data across relevant organisations allows us to understand the growing movement toward promoting more inclusive and sustainable economies and justify systemic support for their growth.
A 2023 review by the Centre for Social Impact found no publicly available, systemic and repeated data collection of the whole social economy sector, its structure or dynamics. This first comprehensive research into Australia’s social economy seeks to change that.
The Centre for Social Impact has begun this three-year longitudinal study to create the evidence base to guide the development of Australia’s social economy, investigating the challenges, opportunities and changing needs of our not-for-profit and for-purpose organisations. Building on a growing focus on the social economy internationally, the research explores key areas including funding, partnerships, impact measurement, legal and policy frameworks, and digital technologies.
In 2024 our survey of 140 Social Economy Organisations (SEOs) uncovered a diverse ecosystem addressing critical societal needs — primarily community development, employment creation, and education — while operating predominantly as small organisations with democratic governance structures.
Building on these findings, Year Two of the Social Economy Survey is now open , inviting sector leaders to help drive the next stage of this landmark research.
TAKE SURVEY
THE SOCIAL ECONOMY: A FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE OR JUST ANOTHER LABEL?
On 13 August 2025, the Centre for Social Impact hosted a webinar discussing key questions surrounding Australia's social economy. The panel featured sector experts including;
- The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP - Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
- Dr Cassandra Goldie AO - CEO, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
- Melina Morrison - CEO, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM)
- Andrew Davies - CEO, B Lab Australia & New Zealand
- Kylie Flament - CEO, Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA)
- A/Professor Melissa Edwards - Director of Research and Innovation, CSI UNSW
- Host: Arminé Nalbandian - CEO, Centre for Social Impact
THE STUDY FOUND FIVE MAJOR INSIGHTS ON AUSTRALIA’S SOCIAL ECONOMY:
- Access to funding and funding diversification was consistently listed as the top priority and risk for SEOs, with organisations identifying the need to explore and build capability in accessing and managing innovative financing models.
- SEOs recognised the benefits of collaboration but were under resourced to effectively do so with their counterparts.
- Australia’s mutuals and co-operatives, though often less visible, provide substantial contributions to the social economy and the sector holds considerable growth potential.
- SEOs consistently reflected on the need for resources, both financial and in terms of frameworks, to support social impact assessment.
- The lack of consistent regulatory and policy support from government presents barriers to growth and security for many SEOs in Australia.
