Brotherhood of St. Laurence

What Brotherhood of St. Laurence does

Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) is an Australian non-profit social justice organization founded in 1930 and headquartered in Fitzroy, Victoria, with 501-1,000 employees. The organization delivers a broad portfolio of human services programs targeting poverty and disadvantage, including family support, youth employment (Transition to Work, NYEB, EFY Foyers), disability services (NDIS Local Area Coordination, Ticket to Work), aged care, refugee and migrant settlement support, and financial literacy (Saver Plus with ANZ, MoneyMinded). Its flagship early childhood program, HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters), is delivered nationally across 100 communities including 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and is supported by a $200M+ cumulative Australian Government commitment since 2008. BSL also operates social enterprises (Op Shops selling donated goods) and a Research, Policy and Advocacy portfolio that produces policy-grade evidence on poverty measurement.

BSL generates revenue through a diversified mix of government grants (federal and Victorian, including NDIS contracts), corporate partnerships (notably ANZ for the Saver Plus matched-savings program, operational since 2003), individual and philanthropic donations, Op Shop retail sales, and fee-for-service consulting and training (e.g., MoneyMinded coach training). Services are delivered primarily free of charge to beneficiaries through a network of community service centres, NDIS offices across multiple Melbourne regions, and the Op Shop retail footprint. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Stephen Newton AO, with Travers McLeod serving as Executive Director since April 2022.

BSL's competitive position rests on nearly a century of brand trust, government accreditation across multiple service lines (NDIS, HIPPY, aged care, employment services), and an ecosystem of partnerships with ANZ, Melbourne Institute, and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. The organization combines direct service delivery with upstream research and policy advocacy, aiming to address root causes of poverty rather than just symptoms. Recent strategic moves include the 2026 launch of the BSL Innovation Fund backed by Maureen Wheeler AO, the 2024 partnership with OPHI to develop a Multidimensional Poverty Index for Australia, and ongoing national scaling of HIPPY and Saver Plus.

Name

Brotherhood of St. Laurence

Legal name

Brotherhood of St. Laurence

Website

https://bsl.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Brotherhood of St. Laurence is an Australian non-profit social justice organization founded in 1930 that delivers family support, youth employment, NDIS disability services, aged care, refugee settlement, and financial literacy programs across Victoria and nationally, funded by government grants, donations, corporate partnerships, and social enterprise revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)

Keywords

• Social services
• Community support
• Disability services
• Aged care services
• Financial literacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Fitzroy

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Social Enterprises (Op Shops): BSL operates Op Shops selling donated goods, generating revenue while providing affordable shopping options for the community.
2. Government Grants and Funding: Funded by federal and state government programs to deliver social services including NDIS, aged care, employment services, and family support.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporate partners, and philanthropic foundations supporting BSL programs and operations.
4. Consulting and Training Services: Fee-for-service training programs including MoneyMinded coach training and consulting services to other organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Brotherhood of St. Laurence is a non-profit social justice organisation that delivers community-based programs across Australia, including family support, youth employment, disability (NDIS) services, aged care, financial literacy (Saver Plus, MoneyMinded), refugee and migrant settlement, early childhood education (HIPPY), and social enterprises (Op Shops). Programs are delivered primarily free of charge to people experiencing disadvantage, with revenue sourced from government grants, donations, social enterprise sales, and fee-for-service consulting and training.

Product overview

Brotherhood of St. Laurence operates as a social services organization offering a portfolio of community programs rather than a technology product. The organization provides direct service delivery across multiple domains including family support, youth employment, disability services (NDIS), aged care, financial literacy (Saver Plus, MoneyMinded), refugee settlement, and social enterprises (Op Shops). Programs include HIPPY for early childhood development, Stepping Stones to Small Business for migrant women, Ticket to Work for youth with disability, and EFY Foyers for homeless youth. Research and advocacy work informs policy on poverty, inequality, and social justice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Support Services Direct support services for families experiencing disadvantage, including early years programs, playgroups, parenting support, breakfast clubs, and assistance navigating government systems.
• Youth Services Programs supporting young people facing disadvantage, including Transition to Work, Youth Transitions Support, and EFY Foyers providing accommodation, education, and employment pathways.
• Disability Services NDIS Local Area Coordination services for ages 0-65, Early Childhood support, and disability employment assistance including the Ticket to Work initiative.
• Employment Services Job readiness and employment programs including Jobify workshops, Given the Chance employment program, and career development services for job seekers.
• Saver Plus Financial literacy and matched savings program developed with ANZ, helping low-income Australians develop lifelong savings habits through 10:1 matched savings up to $500 for education expenses.
• MoneyMinded Financial education program helping people build financial skills, knowledge and confidence, with workshops for participants and fee-for-service coach training for community workers and financial counsellors.
• Stepping Stones to Small Business Program for women from refugee and migrant backgrounds providing education, mentoring and support towards starting a small business or pursuing employment pathways. Has supported 1,859 women across 26 local Councils.
• HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) Early childhood program supporting families to develop home environments that encourage children's love of learning, literacy and numeracy skills. Supports over 4,500 families annually through 550+ coordinators and home tutors.
• Aged Care Services In-home care and support services for older Australians enabling them to remain living independently in their own homes.
• Social Enterprises (Op Shops) Retail stores selling donated goods, providing volunteer opportunities and generating revenue to support BSL's charitable programs, including Brotherhood Books.
• Refugee and Migrant Services Support services for refugees and migrants including settlement assistance, employment support, and community integration programs.
• Education First Youth (EFY) Foyers Supported accommodation program for young people unable to live at home, providing education, employment pathways and independent living skills.
• Breakfast Club School breakfast program providing nutritious meals to children before school, supporting their readiness to learn.
• Consulting and Training Services Fee-for-service consulting and training programs, including MoneyMinded coach training for community workers and financial counsellors, delivered to other organisations.
• Research, Policy and Advocacy Policy research, advocacy, and publications addressing social and economic inequality, poverty measurement, and systemic reform, delivered through the Social Policy and Research Centre.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 participants developed savings habits through Saver Plus
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Business ChicksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness Chicks supports BSL's Stepping Stones to Small Business program through donations raised at International Women's Day events. Over three years, donations have exceeded $36,000.
• McDonald's AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcDonald's partnered with BSL's National Youth Employment Body through local community investment committees to provide employment opportunities for young people during COVID-19.
• Changing GearsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSL's Transition to Work team partnered with Changing Gears to help young people obtain their Learner Permit through supported learning, addressing transportation barriers to employment.
• Melbourne InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSL researchers work with the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research on poverty measurement, including the Social Exclusion Monitor and development of a Multidimensional Poverty Index for Australia.
• Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSL partnered with OPHI at Oxford University to bring Professor Sabina Alkire's multidimensional poverty measurement methodology to Australia, including hosting her visit in August 2024.
• Regional Delivery PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStepping Stones to Small Business program is delivered through regional partners including Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, extending reach beyond BSL's direct service areas.
• Local Community Investment CommitteesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal arms of the National Youth Employment Body that develop solutions relevant to local communities and connect young people with employment opportunities.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Smith Family: Australia's largest children's education-focused anti-poverty charity, delivering learning support, financial assistance, and family programs to disadvantaged children. Directly comparable to BSL as a long-tenured, large Australian nonprofit targeting child and family poverty through a similar mix of direct service and corporate partnerships.
• Mission Australia: One of Australia's largest community services nonprofits, delivering employment services, youth housing, family support, and homelessness programs nationally. Closely matches BSL in service breadth across employment, youth, and family support, and competes for similar government contracts.
• Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand: Community organisation focused on financial inclusion, women's economic empowerment, and family support across Australia and New Zealand. Direct overlap with BSL's Saver Plus and MoneyMinded financial literacy programs, and Stepping Stones to Small Business initiative for women.
• The Benevolent Society: Australia's first charity, focused on child and family services, aged care, and disability support. Directly comparable to BSL in the early childhood (HIPPY-equivalent), family support, and disability service lines, with a similar research-and-advocacy posture.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army Australia: Large international faith-based nonprofit with a broad Australian social services footprint including emergency relief, family services, employment, and aged care. Comparable in service breadth and scale, though operates as a much larger, denominationally-backed organisation.
• Anglicare Australia: National network of Anglican social service agencies delivering community services, aged care, disability, and family support across Australia. Comparable to BSL as a faith-rooted community services nonprofit with national reach and overlapping service lines in disability and family support.
• St Vincent de Paul Society Australia: Large Australian welfare organisation providing emergency relief, housing, family support, and Vinnies op shops similar to BSL's Op Shops. Comparable in the social-enterprise-retail-plus-social-services model and in serving disadvantaged Australians.
• Uniting (Uniting NSW.ACT): Large community services organisation delivering aged care, disability services, family support, and youth programs primarily in NSW and ACT. Comparable to BSL's NDIS, aged care, and youth transition services, though geographically complementary rather than overlapping.
• Australian Red Cross: Major Australian humanitarian and community services organisation delivering migration support, emergency relief, and community programs. Comparable to BSL's refugee and migrant services (e.g., Stepping Stones), and in operating as a large, multi-program nonprofit with a strong brand.

Emerging players

• Settlement Services International: Specialist settlement and humanitarian entrant support provider in NSW, with programs in employment, education, and community capacity building. Comparable to BSL's Refugee and Migrant Services and Stepping Stones to Small Business program, though with a narrower geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Brotherhoodinfo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BrotherhoodLaurence
• Facebookfacebook.com/BrotherhoodofStLaurence
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brotherhood-of-st-laurence
• Instagraminstagram.com/brotherhoodstlaurence

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Brotherhood of St. Laurence