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A place to learn and exchange about social enterprise

Understorey exists to grow participation and capability in the Australian social enterprise sector. It is a place to navigate the sector and to learn and exchange. It does this to help social enterprises thrive and contribute to a better future.
About Understorey Find a social enterprise
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Information

Explore Australia's social enterprise sector. Find organisations, and learn about the people, roles and opportunities shaping the sector.

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Education

Find practical tools, resources and knowledge to help you start, run and grow a social enterprise. Learn from the experience and expertise of others.

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Connection

Connect with others across the ecosystem. Share knowledge, learn from peers and work together on shared challenges and opportunities.

What is a social enterprise?

A social enterprise is a business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other business, but specifically exists to make the world a better place. While social enterprises have different legal structures, business models and operating contexts, they have one thing in common: they work in a way that is consistent with the global standards.

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Understorey is a sector-informed knowledge hub, open to everyone and shaped by the people and organisations who contribute to it.

Explore Australia’s social enterprise sector

The Sector Guide helps you understand the people, organisations and activities shaping Australia's social enterprise sector. Learn about the different roles across the ecosystem and how they contribute to a stronger, more connected sector.

A close-up of navy blue fabric featuring large, vibrant floral patterns in red, orange, yellow, and pink tones from social enterprise, The Social Outfit. The flowers have painterly, layered petals that contrast brightly against the dark background.

Curated educational resources

Key topics

  • Enterprise Partnerships WA

    Indigenous knowledge systems and social enterprise

    Explore resources developed by and for Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to deepen understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and their role in social enterprise. Topics include truth-telling, cultural safety and Country-centred business practices that value community and environmental wellbeing. These resources support respectful engagement with Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and contribute to fair, healing and regenerative futures.

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    Starting and running a social enterprise

    Starting and running a social enterprise can be exciting and challenging. Explore practical resources and tools to help you at every stage, from understanding the problem you want to solve and building a strong team to running your business and measuring your impact. Learn about the key decisions and skills needed to turn your ideas into lasting impact.

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  • Man standing in hole in the wall cafe

    Working in the impact economy

    Explore ideas and approaches that extend beyond social enterprise, including power dynamics, decolonisation, systems thinking and community engagement. These resources help broaden your understanding of how change happens and how you can contribute through your work.

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    Challenge areas for the Sector

    Social enterprises are tackling some of our most pressing social and environmental challenges. Explore four areas where social enterprises are creating change: environmental care, people-centred services, access to decent work and community-led innovation. Deepen your understanding of these challenges and the different ways social enterprises are responding.

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First Nations

First Nations businesses existed long before Australia's contemporary social enterprise sector. They create opportunities for self-determination and strengthen social, cultural and environmental outcomes. Relationships, reciprocity and respect for Country are central to First Nations business practices and offer important lessons for the wider sector.

Explore First Nations enterprises, educational resources and learning communities that recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, knowledge and innovation.

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Colleen Mangolomara, Kalumburu Photography Collective, Pictured; Kimberley French, Freedom Garvey-Warr and Kitty Fredericks

Understorey brings together knowledge and connections to help people navigate Australia's social enterprise sector, learn from others and turn ideas into action.

Explore key terms

Understand key terms and language used across Australia's social enterprise sector. This guide explains what they mean and helps build a shared understanding of the sector.

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Published Dec 2024

Learning communities

Learning communities bring people together across Australia's social enterprise sector to share experiences, learn from practice and work through shared challenges. Led by people and organisations across the sector, knowledge resources developed are shared widely so others can learn and build on them.

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Published Jun 2024

List your organisation

Help others discover and connect with your organisation. Add your organisation to Understorey's national directory to share what you do, your role in the social enterprise sector and how people can find you. Contribute to a growing picture of Australia's social enterprise ecosystem.

From Green Connect Farm, a smiling man helps a young girl feed a brown goat, surrounded by other visitors and lush greenery.

Published Aug 2026

Find a social enterprise

Find businesses putting people and planet first, discover what they offer and where they operate, and learn about the impact they're making. Buy from and support social enterprises across Australia.

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We’d love to hear from you!

Understorey is shaped by the people and organisations across Australia. Have suggestions, ideas or resources to share? Get in touch and help us make Understorey more useful, relevant and accessible for everyone.

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