This Collection brings together research, policy documents, case studies, reports and resources on social enterprise in Australia. It is integrated with Understorey, a sector-informed digital commons designed to grow participation, capability and connection across the Australian social enterprise ecosystem. 

Social Enterprise Australia is the national peak body for social enterprise. They are for an economy that puts people and the planet first, and for unlocking the power of social enterprise to help get us there. They connect, build and advocate for the sector, and coordinate its national strategy.

A social enterprise is a business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other business but exist specifically to make the world a better place. While they work across industries and have different legal structures, they all:

• Exist to solve a social or environmental problem.
• Prioritise people, planet, and their purpose over profit in operational decisions.
• Have a self-sustaining revenue model.
• Reinvest most of any surplus in their purpose.
• Choose legal structures and financing that protect and lock in purpose long-term.