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Message from the Minister
The Hon Luke Donnellan MP, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers
The Victorian Government believes that a broad and diverse labour market reflects a healthy and equitable society, and that anyone who wants a job should be able to get one.
This belief is at the core of the Social Procurement Framework, and the case studies and achievements reflected here show the power of employment to transform lives, as well as delivering value to Victorian taxpayers.
Victoria’s thriving social enterprise economy is testament to the success of this policy.
In two short years, we have ensured that more Victorians with disability can find employment, learn new skills and take home a pay cheque to their families at the end of the week.
Key achievements
In the 12 months from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 Victorian government departments and core agencies directly spent:
- $5.8 million with 38 Australian Disability Enterprises or social enterprises led by a mission for people with disability1
- A further $3.3 million was spent with 17 social enterprises that support people with a disability2, identified by the Map for Impact
For rail industry skills programs in 2019-20:
- Two people with disability completed the GROW and TRANSIT programs
- 12 people with disability completed the GEN44 program
In 2019-20 the major road and rail projects recorded 3 560 employment hours for Victorians with disability, comprised of:
- Major Road Projects Victoria 3,327
- North East Link Project 233
1. Figures for Australian Disability Enterprises and social enterprises led by a mission for people with disability are a subset of the total spend and engagement figures for social enterprises as included in Key Achievements for Opportunities for disadvantaged Victorians.
2. Figures for social enterprises that support people with a disability are a subset of the total spend and engagement figures for social enterprises as included in Key Achievements for Opportunities for disadvantaged Victorians.
Case studies
genU partners with Barwon Water
is an Australian disability enterprise that provides a number of different services for Barwon r, including nursery services.
genU gives people with disability the chance to work in a supported environment, as well as providing accredited and non-accredited training.
The contract with Barwon Water involves indigenous seed collection and propagation (around 45,000 plants each year).
It also provides for community engagement services, maintaining indoor plants and outdoor garden beds at Barwon Water’s head office and mowing services, as well as Landcare maintenance at various sites.
The direct benefits of this contract include employment for nine supported employees.
genU’s relationship with Barwon Water also includes kitchen replenishment services at Barwon Water’s head office, and a lease on the basement café space that serves Barwon Water employees and the public.
These arrangements allow genU to provide further work for supported employees, who benefit from improved wellbeing, social inclusion and the satisfaction that comes from having a meaningful job.
Ability Works Australia supplies metalwork services for the Mordialloc Freeway Upgrade
Ability Works (AWA) is a social enterprise that employs 140 people with disability and those who need support in employment.
AWA was engaged through McConnell Dowell Decmil JV, the head contractors for the Mordialloc Freeway , to provide settlement plates used in freeway construction.
The staff took great pride in working on such a large project.
Tamsin Ashdown, General Manager Commercial at AWA says projects like this make a big difference in the lives of people with disability.
'The work we provide gives people purpose, meaning and social connection. We’ve been operating for 55 years and some employees have been with us for 30 or 40 years. They feel valued and supported, and get the opportunity to work on a variety of jobs, as well as receiving training and learning new skills.'
Tamsin Ashdown
General Manager
Commercial at Ability Works Australia
Short stories
Around and Aroundagain
When Mallee Catchment Management needs secure document destruction services, they call Aroundagain, a division of the Christie , a leading social enterprise in the Mallee region.
Located in Mildura, Aroundagain has 17 supported employees who assist residential customers, small, medium and large businesses and government departments with secure document shredding. The output of the shredding process can then be recycled.
Reviewed 10 December 2020