WISE Hub submission
Jobs-focused or work integration social enterprises (WISEs) exist to provide employment opportunities for those who are most shut-out of work. They are a proven way to unlock sustainable employment outcomes for the most disadvantaged people, groups and places.
Australia needs WISEs and their innovative approach, but systemic challenges have stifled their ability to scale, despite the public value they create.
WISEs incur costs that standard businesses do not; costs to deliver impact. These are called Impact Costs. Not being able to recoup their Impact Costs - to be paid for the public value and savings they create - has hampered WISEs’ ability to sustain, scale, and maximise the role they play.
Now is the time to change this.
This submission to the Australian Government outlines how this can be addressed to unlock greater economic inclusion.
It was put together by the WISE Hub; a collaboration that seeks to grow government understanding, support and funding, unlock private investment and connect those working in the WISEs to evolve leading practice and work towards shared goals.
WISE Hub members include Kate Barrelle from STREAT, Cindy Carpenter from The Bread & Butter Project, Mark Daniels from White Box Enterprises, Lisa Fowkes from Social Ventures Australia, Sally McGeoch from Westpac Foundation, Fiona Jose from Cape York Partnership, Matt Knopp from Paul Ramsay Foundation, and Jess Moore from Social Enterprise Australia.
