Social Enterprise News

From our friends at CSIA: The Draft National Care and Support Economy Strategy from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The Strategy recognises that:

• Paid care and support is one of the fastest growing parts of the Australian economy,
• That there is great demand for these services but that there are substantial challenges facing the long-term viability of the current system.

The Australian Government is projecting that they will increase spending across the Care and Support Economy from $60bn in 2021 - 22 to more than $110bn by 2026 - 27.

You can review the draft National Care and Support Economy Strategy and have your say by 11.59pm 26 June 2023.

Have your say on the draft National Strategy for the Care and Support Economy |PM&C (pmc.gov.au)

The Macquarie Group Foundation (the Foundation) is one of three investors taking part in the White Box Enterprises (White Box) Payment By Outcomes (PBO) trial, a three-year trial measuring the effectiveness of jobs-focused social enterprises in creating long-term employment outcomes for people living with a disability.

“The innovative nature of the trial, with its focus on employment outcomes for those who face barriers, as well as White Box’s reputation and track record in supporting social enterprise meet their goals, align with our social impact investing thesis,” says the Susan Clear, Director of Social Impact Investing at the Foundation.

“The hope is that, if it proves to be a successful model, it can be scaled and further rolled out, to become an alternative model for supporting people back into full-time employment.”

Check out the video featuring QSEC member yourtown.

Congratulations to QSEC member HelloGoodWorld for being awarded one of Australia Post's 2023 Local Business Heroes!

As Australia Post says:

"Small business, big impact.

Local businesses are the backbone of Aussie communities. After receiving a record number of applications, we’ve selected 100 Local Business Heroes from around Australia and we can’t wait for you to meet them all.

Our 2023 Local Business Heroes each receive a Heroes Package valued at over $5,000 to help them reach new customers and give their business a boost."

Check out more details here.

Congratulations to QSEC member Siobhan from Our Pixie Friends for being a featured speaker at the upcoming National Education Summit in August.

Siobhan and Fiona from Our Pixie Friends will be speaking on the following: "This session will include presentation as well as some discussion to enable teachers to walk away with added insight into students' experiences, what happens in the body and brain as a result of complex traumas and some practical knowledge of how to recognise and handle children experiencing severe anxiety."

Congratulations to Our Pixie Friends again!

Learn more & book your tickets here if you're interested in going - use code OPIF10 to get 10% off tickets!

Help inform the QMHC activities and priorities

The Queensland Mental Health Commission's 2023 Taking the Pulse survey is now open. 

The purpose of this survey is to explore the views of people and organisations that influence and/or are affected by the Commission's work. 

If you have completed the survey in previous years, thank you. Your participation again this year would be appreciated. 

The survey will take approximately 7 minutes to complete and is anonymous.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/657XMWQ

News from the Community Management Solutions team (our partners in HR and IR support)

The Fair Work Commission has today announced that Award wages are to be increased by 5.75% from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2023.

This means that employees who are being paid Award wages are entitled to an increase of 5.75%. 

If, however, your employees are being paid wages higher than those specified in an Award, the increase can be absorbed into that higher rate of pay.

Employees who are being paid the Adult Minimum Wage have received an increase of 8.65% from the same date.

Meanwhile, for employers who operate in the Aged Care Sector, the 15% wage increase announced last month will commence from the first full pay period to commence on or after 30 June.  This means that the 5.75% increase handed down today will be paid in addition to that 15% increase.  Today’s announced increase will have to be calculated on the rates following the 15% increase.

If you have any queries relating to the above, or any other employment related matter, please give us a call and we can provide further assistance.

07 3852 5177

info@cmsolutions.org.au

It’s time to nominate your business for the 2023 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards!

Nominate here!

Now in their 18th year, the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards are an important platform to showcase and champion Brisbane’s best and brightest.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the awards were a chance to uncover ground-breaking ideas changing the way we live, work, and do business.

 

“We encourage businesses of all sizes, from all industries, to apply to celebrate the innovation that’s transforming our city for a brighter future,” Cr Schrinner said.

This year they're excited to announce 11 categories, including a new award for Business Transformation to recognise game-changing strategies, innovation, and technological achievement.

Entries for the 2023 awards are open now and close on Friday 7 July.

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate with your team at Brisbane’s most anticipated business awards night!

2023 Categories open for nomination

Business Chamber Queensland Small Business Award

Virgin Australia Micro Business Award

Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award

Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation Award

Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award

ANZ High Growth Business Award

Urban Utilities Environmental Sustainability in Business Award

Cisco International Business Award

ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award

Port of Brisbane Award for Young Business Person of the Year

The Courier-Mail Award for Business Person of the Year

Find out more here!

Our friends at Westpac Scholars Trust have announced the 10 social innovators to be awarded a 2023 Westpac Social Change Fellowship.

Valued up to $50,000, the fellowship gives recipients the opportunity to focus on their own personal and professional development to enhance their leadership capabilities. 

Communities of focus among this year’s Social Change Fellows are at risk youth, people with disability and First Nations people, each of which are still significantly impacted by disadvantage.

Congrats to the 2023 Fellows and welcome to our changemakers community!

Read more here about Audrey & read the article announcing her here.

White Box Enterprises is determined to strengthen the jobs-focused social enterprise movement in Australia, announcing today its plans to co-design a new financial wellbeing program in collaboration with selected social enterprises to enhance the vital wrap-around supports these businesses provide.

The three-year program, made possible through the support of Ecstra Foundation (Ecstra), aims to equip social enterprises with the necessary tools and knowledge to help their employees improve their financial literacy and wellbeing, ultimately leading to improved financial decision making and independence.

A vast number of research studies undertaken by public, private and social sectors demonstrate that improving financial literacy and resilience with people experiencing disadvantage can reduce financial stress and inequality, and improve health and relationships.

“We know that if someone is equipped with the knowledge, tools and confidence to manage their money, this can lead to more positive outcomes in other areas of their life.” said Kelly Taylor, National Programs Manager, White Box Enterprises.

Read more here.

White Box, in collaboration with ASA, has officially opened a new office in Cairns today with a clear mission to create more jobs for First Nations people, autistic young adults, refugees and other groups experiencing disadvantage in the region.

White Box, ASA and Feraliser are the first to call the social enterprise jobs hub home, with fast-growing data analytics business, ASA expected to create 20 new jobs for autistic adults in its first year.

ASA is a unique onshore data-oriented professional services provider, founded by White Box, that harnesses the exceptional talents of autistic individuals. Focused on providing high quality data analysis for businesses and governments, the mission-driven organisation has had rapid growth since it was launched in 2020, securing contracts with Ventia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Queensland Department of Resources.

“ASA shows you what is possible when you align business with a clear social purpose,” said Alex McDonald, Chair of ASA and Chief Entrepreneur for White Box Enterprises.

Read more here.