The Centre for Social Impact (CSI) has opened the final wave of its landmark Social Economy Survey, building one of the most comprehensive pictures yet of Australia’s social economy.
The three-year study is designed to strengthen the national evidence base, bringing greater visibility to the scale, contribution and role of the nation’s social economy.
Now in its final year, the research captures the diversity and breadth of the sector, spanning charities, not-for-profits, social enterprises, co-operatives, mutuals and philanthropic organisations.
Collectively, these organisations make a major contribution to Australia’s economy and communities. Charities alone employ 1.6 million people, while co-operatives and mutuals contribute approximately $90 billion to Australian income, and social enterprises employ around one in 60 Australians.
Yet despite its scale, Australia’s social economy remains under-recognised and under-researched. Until now.
The CSI survey opens as international momentum around the social economy grows.
A recent report from the United Nations Secretary-General highlights growing global action to better understand and support the social economy - from coordinated policy and financing to social innovation and stronger evidence.
As countries increasingly recognise the sector’s vital contribution to sustainable development, the CSI Social Economy Survey is helping ensure Australia has the evidence needed to inform the policy, funding and investment decisions that shape its future.
CEOs and senior leaders are being invited to complete the 30-minute survey, to ensure their first-hand experiences are reflected in the national picture.
CSI Acting CEO Rosemary Conn said the research is critical to understanding what organisations need to succeed.
“We know the social economy is vital to Australia, but we need to understand more about the forces shaping it. The people leading these organisations see first-hand where the sector is being stretched, where it is adapting and where change is needed. This survey is their opportunity to make sure those realities are seen, understood and counted.”
Lead researcher Associate Professor Melissa Edwards said the research is also revealing how those experiences are evolving over time.
“The real value of this research is that we can track these experiences over time. Looking across three years allows us to distinguish between persistent pressures and emerging issues, and see where meaningful shifts are taking place. That’s something a single snapshot simply can’t tell us.”
Findings from the final survey will bring the three-year study together in a national report, to be released in 2027.
Take the 30-minute survey [LINK]
Find out more about the Social Economy Survey [LINK]
Contact details:
Pia: 0412 346 746 [email protected]
