This report explores the role of trade revenue in enabling social enterprise impact in Australia. A social enterprise is a business that exists to create public or community benefit. The report presents case studies, distils key insights and delivers strategic recommendations to strengthen the resilience of social enterprises.

The findings underline the distinctive place social enterprises hold in the Australian economy. They are neither charities reliant on donations nor traditional businesses focused only on profit. This unique positioning has important implications for how they are understood, supported and enabled to grow.

Key findings

• Social enterprise trade revenue grew by 10% over a five-year period.   
• Social enterprises fund their impact in different ways – 36% fully through trade, 41% blended trade/non-trade, 23% through non-trade revenue.
• 71% of social enterprises that increased their trade revenue also increased their spending on impact.
• Scale supports resilience but there is no single model for success.

Key recommendations

• Recognise social enterprise as a distinct part of the economy
• Invest in social enterprise trade capability
• Embed social enterprise in procurement policy
• Encourage revenue diversity
• Design smarter funding
• Target growth pathways
• Continue to track the data.