Australian social enterprises over 20 years: A timeline

The Australian social enterprise sector has come a long way in the last 20 years. We take a look back through the Pro Bono News archives to re-examine some of the major moments that have defined the sector..

Cool Timeline

Australia’s first national social entrepreneurs alliance launches.

Mar,2001

Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson is named Social Entrepreneur of the Year in the inaugural Australia and New Zealand Social Entrepreneurs Network award.

Apr,2002

Social Ventures Australia launches its $250,000 “Big Boost Initiative”.

Jun,2002

The Foundation for Young Australians’ launches a social enterprise guide for young Australians.

Oct,2006

Social Ventures Australia launches a campaign to raise $10 million over three years to grow the impact of social ventures.

Apr,2009

The social enterprise world forum opens in Melbourne.

Oct,2009

Australia’s first crop of students from the School of Social Entrepreneurs graduate with flying colours.

Feb,2010

The first research mapping the social enterprise sector is published.

Jul,2010

The Gillard government announces two initiatives to provide support for social enterprise.

Jul,2010

Victoria takes the lead on social procurement.

Oct,2010

New research finds social entrepreneurship is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Australian economy.

Apr,2012

The “grandfather of social enterprise” in Australia, Steve Lawrence, dies after a long battle with cancer aged 60.

May,2012

Applications open for the inaugural Australian Social Enterprise Awards.

Feb,2013

Queensland launches Australia’s first council for social enterprises.

Nov,2013

Social Traders launches Good Spender, an online service linking conscious consumers directly with Australian social enterprises.

Nov,2014

The School of Social Entrepreneurs commits to raising $1.5 million over five years to assist the neglected early-stage social enterprise sector.

Dec,2014

A new $100 million impact investment fund set to benefit social enterprises.

Jun,2015

Social enterprise census finds a surge in the number of young social enterprises.

Jun,2016

Victorian social enterprises receive $6.5 million boost from state government.

Sep,2016

The School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia shuts up shop.

Nov,2016

The Victorian government releases Australia’s first-ever strategy for social enterprises.

Feb,2017

Social enterprises across Victoria get connected with the launch of a statewide peer-to-peer network.

Aug,2019

The Queensland government releases its social enterprise strategy.

Sep,2019

Experts believe Australia is the world’s most improved nation for social entrepreneurs

Nov,2019

The sector fears it will fall through the gap amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Mar,2020

A national alliance looks to the future and beyond.

Jun,2020

For a deeper look at these key changes, you can check out our article examining how far the social enterprise sector has come since 2000 here.