Social Enterprise News

The Workforce Connect Fund is an initiative designed to increase investment in industry and community-led projects that address attraction, retention and participation issues within the workforce. 

It aims to drive systemic, industry-wide change in relation to these issues to enhance workforce outcomes for employers, employees and jobseekers.

The grant provides funding to small businesses to:

• Engage with HR specialists to receive advice and coaching to improve workforce issues
• Develop recruitment strategies or practices to attract and retain under-utilised or specific cohorts.
• Create new workforce systems or tools that promote human resource support and resources accessible to employees and change the current workforce operations of a business.
• Other new and innovative approaches that support workforce attraction, retention or participation

For eligible small businesses, up to $5,000 is available to provide immediate human resources (HR) support and advice (subject to funding availability).
For more information go to -  https://desbt.qld.gov.au/employment/workforce-connect-fund

Following voting at the 14 December 2022 AGM, QSEC Members voted for the Elected Directors for our Board. We welcomed new Directors Yas Grigaliunas and Sarai Tuuga. The new Board met Thursday 12 January 2023 to decide the positions of President and Chair, as Richard Warner has stepped back from his past two years as President. Congratulations to Yas who was elected President, and to Sarai who was elected as Vice President.

We are so grateful to have our esteemed Members and Associates serving in a voluntary capacity to help build the momentum of the social enterprise movement in Queensland.

Along with our returning Board Directors; David Toohey (Treasurer), Terri Waller, Anne-Marie Walton, and Andrew Taylor (Company Secretary), we have retained Narayan Gopalkrishna and Paul Garcia as Appointed Board Directors. Elisabeth Lette, who had applied as an Appointed Director, will now be offered a role as Board Advisor.

Past Presidents Emma-Kate Rose and Richard Warner are heading up our Advisor Board, which comprises of; Jeremy Canard, Adele Laughton and Andrea Jackson.

I know our members will join me in congratulating our new Board members and thanking our dedicated Board Directors and Advisors.

See the full Board for 2023

The Communities 2032 Strategy (PDF, 3158.79 KB) is Queensland’s first long-term, holistic strategy for our communities.

It will guide Queensland Government action over 10 years, towards a vision that Queensland’s communities support and empower every person to connect, participate, contribute and thrive.

Communities 2032 is a long-term plan to strengthen the fabric of our communities and to help Queenslanders live their best lives.

Strong communities are essential to economic prosperity, wellbeing and future opportunities.

Communities 2032 is the Government’s roadmap to four key destinations that represent aspirations for Queensland.

Further information can be found via this link.

The Australian Government has called for submissions on the next Federal Budget, with submissions due on January 27, 2023.

Social Enterprise Australia invites you to be part of a conversation on what's needed to unlock the impact of social enterprise. It's an opportunity to share ideas, learn from others, change your mind, and dig into hard questions. The discussion will drive a submission from Social Enterprise Australia.

When: 1 - 2.30pm AEDT, Tuesday January 24 

Where: Online

Sign up: https://events.humanitix.com/a-budget-to-unlock-the-impact-of-social-enterprise

This event has also been added to the QSEC Members Events Page.

At the recent QSEC AGM, CEO Elise Parups presented a summary of the Social Enterprise Sector Submission 2022.  

The summary presentation can be viewed here

QSEC Members can view the full Sector Submission on the members website.

DOWNLOAD The QSEC 2022 Annual Report for a breakdown on the activities from 2021 - 2022 Financial year.

Many thanks to the team at Green Fox Studio for the excellent design 

There are now two streams for establishing Launch into Work projects.

1. The department is seeking responses from businesses interested in becoming members of the Launch into Work Employer Panel. Interested employers should refer to AusTender for more information. Please see below
2. The department also has a limited tender process in place for small scale Launch into Work projects. This process is open to employers and organisations that coordinate pre-employment projects on behalf of employers. 

• Interested parties can contact the Launch into Work team for more information: launchintowork@dewr.gov.au. 

Launch into Work Employer Panel 2022–28

Do you need entry-level workers that fit your business? 

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has released a Request for Proposal for the Launch into Work Employer Panel 2022–28 on AusTender. 

The department is seeking responses from businesses interested in becoming members of the Launch into Work Employer Panel.

Members of the Employer Panel may use Launch into Work projects to recruit at least 30 eligible job seekers per year into vacant entry-level roles within their business.

Projects are co-designed with the Department and tailored to the entry-level roles being filled. They include the training, practical workplace activities and mentoring necessary to build the skills and confidence of participants so they can move directly into employment in the business at the end of the project.

Responses close:

5.00 pm (ACT local time)

Wednesday 15 February 2023

More information on this tender:

Visit AusTender for the Request for Proposal, Information Presentation, Questions and Answers and other procurement documents.

Join the webinar to hear details on Industrial Relations reforms from CCIQ’s Workplace Services team plus learn how CCIQ can support you and your businesses in navigating these changes. 

Date: Monday, December 12 
Time: 10.30-11.30am AEST 
Virtual webinar 

Registration Link

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 (‘Bill’) has now passed both Houses, and is, at the time of writing, awaiting Royal Assent. 

The webinar will cover proposed amendments including:  

• Objects and Modern Awards Objective
• Sexual Harassment
• Anti-Discrimination
• Fixed term contracts
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Pay Secrecy
• New Equal Remuneration Panels
• Increases to Unpaid Wages Cap
• Zombie Agreements
• Registered Organisations Commission

Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC)

Many of our social enterprises would have had their communities impacted by a range of buy-now, pay-later schemes. 

The federal Government is seeking feedback on the future regulatory framework for buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (the Credit Act).

DETAILS: https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2022-338372

You need a director identification number (director ID) if you're a director of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

The fastest way to apply for a director ID is online. CLICK HERE

While the deadline to apply for your director ID was 30 November 2022, if you apply by 14 December 2022 we will not take further action in relation to your late application.