Key terms

The process of increasing the reach and impact of a social enterprise, which may involve expanding geographically, serving more beneficiaries, developing new products or services, or influencing policy and legislation.

A distinct part or subset of a larger system, economy, or society, typically characterised by a specific type of activity, product, or service. The ‘social enterprise sector’ describes the overarching field of social enterprise, including social enterprise themselves and the range of other actors who engage and interact with them.

The right of Indigenous peoples to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development, as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The period a Director/Trustee serves on a board, typically three years with a maximum of nine years.

A tool for mapping the skills and expertise to identify strengths and gaps. Can be used for staff, executive, and governing groups.

Smoke is an important feature used for ceremonial purposes such as cleansing ceremonies.

The process of measuring, analysing, and reporting an organisation's social, environmental, and economic performance to stakeholders.

An independent evaluation of an organisation's social, environmental, and ethical performance, based on feedback from stakeholders and assessment against recognized standards.

Financial resources available to support the startup, growth, and sustainability of social enterprises, including grants, donations, impact investments, loans, and earned income from various sources. The type of funding that any given social enterprise will be able to access will depend on its legal structure.

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. Social enterprises can adopt a range of legal structures, identities, and play multiple roles, across different domains, in the ecosystem.

The overarching field of social enterprise, including social enterprise themselves and the range of other actors who engage and interact with them.

An individual who develops and implements innovative solutions to social, cultural, or environmental problems, using entrepreneurial principles and business strategies to create sustainable, positive change.

A way of investing money to create positive social or environmental impact, sometimes with the expectation of also generating a financial return. This can include investments in social enterprises, non-profits, or projects that aim to address social or environmental challenges. Can be understood as an overarching term that includes both grants and impact investment.

The practice of packaging and selling a successful social enterprise's processes, policies, branding, and operational methods to others who can replicate and deliver the same service in another location.

The positive and negative effects an organisation's actions have on people, communities, and the environment, considering both short-term and long-term changes. Used interchangeably with ‘impact’.

The process of analysing, monitoring, and managing the intended and unintended social consequences of an organisation's activities or interventions.

A financial tool that enables private investors to fund social impact projects, with the potential to earn a return if the project achieves its targeted outcomes. If the project succeeds in delivering the desired social or environmental results, the government and/or other actors ‘purchase’ the outcome, which enables investors to be repaid with interest. If the project falls short of its goals, investors may lose some or all of their investment. Social impact bonds are a type of ‘payments for outcomes’.

Often used interchangeably with ‘impact investment’. Sometimes used to specifically denote impact investments made to address ‘social’ challenges rather than environmental ones.

The development and implementation of new ideas, strategies, or solutions that aim to address social, cultural, or environmental challenges more effectively than existing approaches. Social innovations often involve collaboration between various sectors, such as non-profits, businesses, government agencies, and communities, to create sustainable and scalable solutions that improve people's lives and promote positive change.

The provision and use of capital to generate social and financial returns. Often used interchangeably with ‘Social Finance’.

A framework for measuring and communicating the social, environmental, and economic value created by an organisation or project, relative to the resources invested.

The quantifiable impact of an organisation's activities on the well-being of individuals, communities, and society as a whole, often expressed in monetary terms or other standardised measures.

This occurs when there is a death in the family/extended family. So “sorry business” is a frequent occurrence in the community. When “sorry business” has to be carried out, particular people have the responsibility to ensure the correct procedures are performed. The amount of time devoted to “sorry business” varies from place to place - it can be days, weeks or months.

A nationally-recognised day held annually in Australia on the 26th May since 1998 to commemorate and remember all the people who were impacted by the Federal Government’s policies of forcible removal of children from their families that resulted in the Stolen Generation.

Sovereignty isn’t merely an English word, it is a European concept referring to ownership of/mastery/dominion over Land. As such, it does not fit Aboriginal concepts/world view. However in the absence of a more suitable word, it is useful at present in the discussion concerning Land in this country. Aboriginal people often say, “We have never ceded sovereignty”, in this way asserting their continued rights in and relationship with Land, irrespective of Western mechanisms such as title deeds. Active ‘sovereignty’ is often demonstrated by First Nations people in the way they live. Sovereignty is a lived experience of Aboriginal people/First Nations people, living in their own country.

The individuals employed by an organisation to carry out its day-to-day operations and activities.

Any individual or group with an interest in or influence over an organisation, such as customers, employees, investors, suppliers, or communities.

The process of actively involving individuals, groups, or organisations that have an interest in or are affected by a project, initiative, or business. This involves communicating with stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns, and expectations, and working with them to address these issues.

The individuals, groups, or organisations that have an interest in or are affected by the activities and decisions of a social enterprise. These can include employees, customers, investors, suppliers, partners, local communities, and government agencies.

Bodies that establish and maintain certification schemes and benchmarks for social enterprise performance and impact. Standards may be related to specific areas of impact (e.g. animal welfare), specific products (e.g. Fair Trade), or whole of organisation (e.g. People and Planet First).

State and Territory-level government bodies that oversee regional social enterprise policies, development strategies, and regulations.

The Stolen Generation is the name generally given to Aboriginal people who were removed from their families as children. These were the fair-skinned children who came under the government policy of removal mainly between 1910 and 1970 and were sent to institutions or adopted into non-Aboriginal families. Those government policies are now recognised as misguided and destructive. The National Enquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Children from their Families (1997) culminated in the report entitled “Bringing Them Home.” Rudd’s 2008 apology was addressed to people affected by this policy.

An outline of an organisation's long-term goals and the actions needed to achieve them, covering areas such as resources, milestones, and performance measures.

A high-level articulation of what an organisation intends to do, why, and how it will do it. It outlines the key steps, resources, and decisions needed to reach the desired goals, while also considering how to manage risks and potential challenges along the way.

An organisation that aims to increase the participation of Indigenous businesses in the supply chains of Australian companies and government agencies. It certifies Indigenous businesses and maintains a directory of Indigenous suppliers.

Refers to something that can be maintained or continued over the long term without depleting resources, harming the environment, or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It often relates to practices that balance environmental, social, and economic factors.

A strategic planning tool used to evaluate an organisation's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

The process of identifying and addressing the root causes of social or environmental problems by changing the fundamental structures, policies, and practices that contribute to these issues. This involves working collaboratively across different sectors and stakeholders to create long-lasting, sustainable improvements in communities and society as a whole.

In a systems context, where interconnected but autonomous actors are seeking ways to work with each other, governance can also be understood as the process of maintaining coherence and ensuring collective decisions are attuned to the wider, changing environment.

An approach to problem-solving that involves understanding and transforming the complex, interconnected systems that underlie social, economic, and environmental challenges. It goes beyond addressing individual issues in isolation and instead seeks to identify and change the root causes, structures, and patterns that perpetuate these problems across multiple domains and scales.

A charity registered with the ACNC and endorsed by the ATO to access tax concessions such as income tax exemption, GST concessions, and FBT rebates.

The Commons: Refers to a broad set of resources - physical, natural, social, and/or cultural - accessible to all members of a community or society. Commons are owned, sometimes collectively, sometimes individually. How they are used is determined collectively.

A hypothesis that articulates how an organisation's activities will contribute to its intended impact, by mapping the causal links between inputs, outputs, and short-term, medium-term, and long-term effects. A theory of change should also outline the assumptions that the hypothesis is based on. The term ‘theory of change’ is often used interchangeably with ‘impact model’.

a global effort to promote and support businesses that prioritise social and environmental objectives alongside financial sustainability. It encompasses a diverse range of actors who work together to create an enabling sector for social enterprises to thrive. The movement aims to transform traditional business models and economic systems to be more equitable, and sustainable, addressing pressing societal challenges. It advocates for greater recognition and resources for social enterprises as key drivers of positive social and environmental impact.

The Indigenous peoples who have a traditional and ongoing connection to a particular area of land or water, and who have responsibilities and rights as custodians of that Country.

A framework that measures an organisation's performance and impact in three areas: social, environmental, and financial, recognising the interconnectedness of these dimensions in creating sustainable value.

An individual responsible for overseeing the management and administration of a charity or trust, ensuring that it operates effectively and ethically in pursuit of its mission.

An information, education, and connection platform and knowledge base for, and owned by, Australia’s social enterprise sector.

An organisation without a separate legal identity from the owner, who bears full responsibility and liability for the organisation's actions.

Funds that can be used for any purpose to further an organisation's objectives.