In Australia, social background still shapes who gets ahead. Where one grows up or what their parents earn can determine access to working opportunities. Research by the Diversity Council Australia (2025) revealed that class, more than any other measured diversity indicator (eg. gender, CALD) predicted whether people feel included or excluded at work. Yet there ...
Social Ventures Australia
Fair Chance Initiative
GOAL
$510,000
Australia > National / Multi-state > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Community and economic development
- Education/training and employment
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- General population
Social Ventures Australia
Social Ventures Australia (SVA) is a leading social impact organisation. For 23 years, we’ve been working hand in hand with our partners and communities to take real action on social change.
SVA was created to accelerate innovation for social good. We fast-track solutions to social challenges that alleviate disadvantage and support a country where all people and communities thrive. We influence systems to deliver better social outcomes, helping organisations be more effective, sharing our perspectives and advocating for change.
Australia spends $15.2 billion each year on interventions, yet one in four people still face disadvantage through poverty, exclusion or deprivation. Current systems are not effectively supporting the most vulnerable communities.
We think we can and should do better. Aa partner and convenor, SVA unites key ecosystem players to offer expertise, evidence and connections. This collaborative approach means we can co-create solutions, scale initiatives and build capacity within the social sector. Areas of expertise include:
• Charities and social sector
• Employment
• Education
• Disability
• Early Years
• Family and Domestic Violence
• First Nations
• Health and wellbeing
• Housing and Homelessness
• Justice
In FY25, SVA supported 425,000+ people with lived experience of disadvantage. This impact reflects our commitment to creating lasting change and advancing our vision of an inclusive Australia.
Philanthropic funding supports SVA in delivering programs that create real social impact. It allows us to work to break down systems of disadvantage and build a fairer Australia, where everyone has a chance to thrive.
Project Summary
In Australia, social background still shapes who gets ahead. Where one grows up or what their parents earn can determine access to working opportunities.
Research by the Diversity Council Australia (2025) revealed that class, more than any other measured diversity indicator (eg. gender, CALD) predicted whether people feel included or excluded at work. Yet there is little awareness of the role that socioeconomic background plays in whether people can get in or get on at work.
There are signs that this problem is only getting worse. Young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have fewer career opportunities than their parents did. There is a risk that AI adoption will further reduce pathways for people out of poverty.
The Fair Chance Initiative is a national effort to change this. Our goal is to raise awareness of socioeconomic background in distribution of employment opportunities, and to support employers to adopt practices that allow everyone to achieve their potential.
Fair Chance is driven by a coalition of partners, including SVA, the Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) and The Smith Family, working alongside diversity and inclusion specialists and social impact practitioners from leading businesses.
Over the next 12-18 months the initiative will focus on building awareness and sharing good practice through workshops, research, resources, webinars and case studies.
We are taking inspiration from initiatives like the Social Mobility Pledge and Employer Social Mobility Index in the UK, which have been effective in engaging leading employers to rethink their hiring practices.
Project Outcomes
Fair Chance initiative seeks to shape policy and public narrative, so no talent is held back by postcode or lack of privilege.
By elevating the conversation to a national level, the campaign aims to shift mindsets, practices and policy to ensure access to quality jobs and careers becomes a priority, and that actions taken lead to impact at scale.
Fair Chance will:
• Call on employers to recognise socioeconomic background as a driver of exclusion and commit to adopting practices that provide equitable opportunity
• Raise awareness of socioeconomic bias and the role employers play in addressing it.
• Engage and brief policymakers on reforms to expand opportunity and increase visibility of socioeconomic diversity and structures for improved outcomes.
• Build momentum by convening influential voices from business, government and the community sector to elevate this issue nationally.
• Share tools and real stories that demonstrate what’s possible when employers open doors to young people facing disadvantage.
• Encourage employers to measure progress and stay accountable for change.
We’ll know we’ve achieved impact when:
• Employers are formally endorsing the Fair Chance Initiative and working together to develop and implement good practice.
• Socioeconomic background is recognised in national diversity frameworks and policy settings.
• Media and public discourse reflect growing awareness of class as a driver of exclusion.
• Our tools and insights are adopted and scaled by partners across the ecosystem.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $1,200,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding gap | $510,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Project delivery & Structural Support | $510,000 |
Support Social Ventures Australia
Got a question about this organisation or ready to contribute? Contact us.
Are you an ACF Fundholder? Log in to your Fund Portal to request a grant from your Fund.
Add your organisation to the Funding Platform
Is your not-for-profit organisation seeking funding? Add your organisation to the Funding Platform or upload your funding needs for a project.
Is this your organisation profile? You can request updates by resubmitting a Funding Platform Submission.