Certified Social Enterprise BPO

A Certified Social Enterprise in Australia is a business that has been officially recognised for its commitment to achieving social, environmental, or community objectives through its operations.

Whilst they operate in all industry sectors of the economy, the suppliers in this category are BPOs (Business Process Outsourcers) that provide call centre outsourcing services such as call answering, technical support, customer service, etc. 

There are three social enterprise impact models:

• Employment-generating – creates employment and training opportunities for marginalised people.
• Community need – delivers accessible products and services to meet community needs that are not met by the market.
• Profit redistribution – donates at least 50% of profits or revenue to charity.

Certified Social Enterprise BPOs are typically related to the Employment-generating model, providing call centre work for marginalised people.

For example, the BPO could focus on providing employment opportunities for older Australians, Indigenous Australians, and/or those with some form of disability.

Why Social Enterprise Certification Matters for BPOs in Australia

Social enterprise can help local and Federal governments drive employment outcomes for the long-term unemployed that can deliver a range of economic and social benefits. 

This, in turn, can then free up resources that can be used for public benefit. 

The House of Representatives Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services released its final report in November 2023. 

The 650-page document mentioned social enterprise 192 times and provided a range of recommendations to the Australian Government, including the inclusion of social enterprise certification into the procurement process for government contracts, including: 

"The Australian Government develop and implement a Commonwealth Social Procurement Framework to leverage Commonwealth spending on major projects and large service contracts to create more employment and training opportunities for long-term unemployed and disadvantaged jobseekers".

So, there is no question that having social enterprise certification will be advantageous to secure future Federal and State government BPO opportunities. 

Components of BPOs that have Social Enterprise Certification

To be certified, the BPO must meet specific criteria that demonstrate its dedication to generating positive social impact alongside its financial goals.

1. Primary Purpose: The business must have a clear and primary social, environmental, or community objective. This objective should be central to the enterprise's mission and operations.

2. Profit Distribution: A significant portion of the enterprise's profits must be reinvested in the social mission, rather than distributed to shareholders. This ensures that profits support social purposes rather than primarily benefit private interests.

3. Independence: The enterprise operates independently and is not controlled by a government body, though it may collaborate with public or non-profit sectors.

4. Certification Process: In Australia, the Social Traders organisation is one of the main bodies responsible for certifying social enterprises. To gain certification, an enterprise undergoes a rigorous assessment process to confirm that it meets the necessary criteria.

5. Recognition and Support: Certified social enterprises are often recognized for their role in addressing social issues such as unemployment, environmental sustainability, or community development. Certification can also open doors to funding, partnership opportunities, and support from the government and private sectors.

Certification as a social enterprise helps businesses distinguish themselves as committed to social impact, and it provides credibility in the marketplace, particularly when seeking support from socially conscious consumers, investors, and partners.

Search Australian BPOs with Social Enterprise Certification