Muslim Women Australia

What Muslim Women Australia does

Muslim Women Australia (MWA), founded in 1983 and rebranded from Muslim Women Association in 2025, is a registered Australian non-profit charity headquartered in Lakemba, New South Wales, with a second site at Felicity House in Bass Hill. The organization operates as the peak representative body for Muslim women in Australia, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of community services anchored by four pillars: settlement support for newly arrived migrants and refugees, violence prevention and homelessness support (Linking Hearts, auspicied under NSW Government's Specialist Homelessness Services), community development and wellness programs, and policy advocacy.

MWA's service catalog includes financial counselling, legal aid, men's safety services, crisis accommodation, faith-informed training (Saving FACE), and over 40 named programs spanning health, education, youth development, and faith-based learning. Key institutional partners include MTC Australia (SEE Program), Koorana (Start Strong Playgroup), Our Watch (Saving FACE), NSW Local Health Districts, and Our Watch. The organization holds Certificate-level Australian Service Excellence Standards accreditation and is led by CEO Maha Abdo OAM, a 2015 Australian Human Rights Medal finalist.

MWA generates revenue primarily through government grants and contracts (NSW and Commonwealth) for settlement, homelessness, and employment programs, supplemented by modest fees from paid training workshops ($10-$165 per participant). Services are delivered through in-person programs at its two NSW offices, virtual sessions via Microsoft Teams, school incursions, and community outreach. The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform and has no disclosed AI, API, or software product capabilities.

Name

Muslim Women Australia

Legal name

Muslim Women Australia

Website

https://mwa.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Muslim Women Australia is a NSW-based non-profit charity (est. 1983) delivering settlement support, domestic violence and homelessness services, community development, advocacy, and faith-informed training for Muslim women, refugees, and CALD communities across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGABAF

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/International Development & Poverty Alleviation

SECONDARYBPADAGAF

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Human Rights, Democracy & Governance

Keywords

• Community services
• Settlement support
• Domestic violence support
• Advocacy services
• Culturally appropriate programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakemba

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: MWA is a charity that receives government funding to deliver services including Specialist Homelessness Services, Skills for Education and Employment programs, and other community services. Revenue is generated through government contracts and grants rather than commercial sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Muslim Women Australia is a non-profit charity organization established in 1983 that delivers community-based support services to Muslim women and families in Australia. Core offerings include Settlement Support, Community Development, Policy Advice, Linking Hearts (domestic violence and homelessness support under NSW Specialist Homelessness Services), Financial Counselling, Legal Aid, Men's Safety Service, and Crisis Accommodation. The organization also operates fee-based training programs such as Saving FACE sector training and paid workshops, alongside free community programs covering health, education, youth development, and faith-based learning.

Product overview

Muslim Women Australia (MWA) operates as a community-based organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of services organized around core support programs, violence prevention initiatives, training offerings, and community education. The core service suite includes Settlement Support, Community Development, Policy Advice, Financial Counselling, Legal Aid, Men's Safety Service, Crisis Accommodation, and Linking Hearts (domestic violence and homelessness support under NSW Government's Specialist Homelessness Services). Violence prevention is anchored by the Saving FACE initiative, which delivers sector training and awareness programs grounded in faith-informed frameworks. MWA also runs extensive community programs including Quran education, youth development, wellness/health workshops, and seasonal school holiday activities. Training offerings include the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program in partnership with MTC Australia. The portfolio includes over 40 named programs and events spanning health, education, employment, spiritual development, and family support, unified by MWA's mission to advocate for Muslim women's rights and enable their participation in Australian society.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Saving FACE: An initiative to develop and deliver key prevention activities to encourage men in preventing violence against women and children.
• The Middle Ground
• On Purpose Podcast
• Linking Hearts
• MIM (Mothers Inspire Mothers)
• Felicity House
• MYAC (Muslim Youth Advisory Committee)

Products and services

• Settlement Support Early intervention program providing a variety of support services to newly arrived migrants and refugees living in Australia.
• Community Development Programs for Muslim women, youth, seniors and mothers to nurture women's health and well-being in a safe, supported environment.
• Policy Advice Organizational and governmental policy refinement to be inclusive and respectful of people of all faiths and cultures.
• Linking Hearts Domestic violence and homelessness support to women and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, provided under NSW Government's Specialist Homelessness Services.
• Financial Counselling Financial counselling services for women and families in need.
• Legal Aid Legal aid services for women and families.
• Men's Safety Service Safety services for men, part of MWA's holistic approach to family and domestic violence support.
• Crisis Accommodation Crisis accommodation services expanding safety, dignity and support for women at risk.
• Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program Partnership with MTC Australia providing instruction in digital skills, literacy and English to help women advance in the workplace and education, offered free to eligible participants.
• Saving FACE Sector Guide Module 1 - Introductory Paid introductory workshop ($165 per person) for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence sector practitioners exploring faith-centered approaches to preventing violence against women and children, covering topics including cultural competence, gender equity, and the Saving FACE principles.
• Saving FACE Sector Guide Module 1 - Introductory (Online) Online version of the introductory Saving FACE training module delivered via MS Teams.
• Reflecting Hijab Paid ($10 per person) interactive workshop for young Muslim women aged 15-25 exploring the purpose, meaning and inner/outer experiences of the Hijab.
• Taharah Program: Burden or Blessings? Two-hour school incursion providing female students Year 4-8 with age-appropriate education about reaching puberty in a safe, Islamic environment.
• Quran Classes for Women Reading and understanding the Holy Quran at Beginners and Advanced levels through interactive face-to-face sessions with experienced teachers, including Qaa'idah Nouraniya for foundational learning.
• Start Strong Playgroup Family-friendly playgroup in partnership with Koorana offering arts, crafts and sensory activities for children aged up to 5 years.
• Hearts to Minds Free tutoring service to support children of Linking Hearts clients reach their full potential in school.
• FirstCPR Education and Training Two-part accreditation series on cardiac arrest, CPR, and Defibrillator (AED) use, delivered by the Michael Hughes Foundation and Surf Lifesaving NSW.
• Women's Health Check-In Supportive women's health session with free consultations, health checks, and personalized support from a Women's Health Nurse, with Arabic and Bangla language support, in partnership with Sydney Local Health District.
• SAYIT School Holiday Activities Paid school holiday program ($15-$30 per session) for girls aged 7-17 featuring creative workshops, in partnership with MYAC.
• SAYIT Winter School Holiday Activities Winter school holiday workshops for girls aged 10-17 including Arabic calligraphy tote bag design and Self-Care with Purpose (DIY care pack creation).

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• MTC AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MTC Australia to deliver the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program providing instruction in digital skills, literacy and English to help women advance in the workplace and education.
• KooranacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Koorana to deliver the Start Strong Playgroup - a family-friendly playgroup helping children reach developmental milestones and providing introduction to preschool.
• Our WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMWA developed Saving FACE initiative in conjunction with Our Watch to deliver prevention activities encouraging men in preventing violence against women and children.
• Michael Hughes FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for FirstCPR Education and Training - educational session on cardiac arrest, CPR, and AED use delivered by the Michael Hughes Foundation.
• Surf Lifesaving NSWsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for accredited CPR training as part of FirstCPR Education and Training series.
• Wellways AustraliasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health education sessions delivered by mental health specialists from Wellways Australia for community members.
• SESLHD Multicultural Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SESLHD Multicultural Health Services to deliver 'Peace of Mind' mental health program in Arabic for Arabic-speaking women.
• Sydney Local Health DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sydney Local Health District to deliver Women's Health Check-In program with health nurses, free consultations, and health checks.
• Multicultural Health ServicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Multicultural Health Services for 'Breathe. Relax. Focus.' mindfulness and women's health program.
• IVF AustraliasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent supporter for Heart Fit Women: International Women's Day Morning Tea focusing on health and wellbeing.
• Crunch FitnesssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent supporter for Heart Fit Women: International Women's Day Morning Tea.
• Diabetes NSW & ACTsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth professionals from Diabetes NSW & ACT delivered diabetes awareness and info session in relaxed supportive environment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Our Watch: National violence prevention organization and MWA's Saving FACE co-development partner. Comparable on DFV primary prevention frameworks and government policy engagement, operating at significantly larger national scale.
• STARTTS: NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, providing trauma counselling and refugee support. Comparable to MWA on refugee/migrant client base and trauma-informed service delivery, though focused on clinical trauma services.
• Settlement Services International: Large NSW-based multicultural settlement and community services provider. Comparable to MWA's settlement, refugee and CALD community development work, but operating at significantly larger scale and across broader program areas.

Direct peers

• Domestic Violence NSW: NSW peak body for domestic and family violence services. MWA's Linking Hearts program operates within the same NSW DFV service ecosystem, making DVNSW a directly comparable peer in advocacy, sector coordination and government liaison.
• Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights: National Muslim women's advocacy and support organization in Australia. Directly comparable to MWA as a peer Muslim-women-led NGO delivering advocacy, policy advice and direct services, with geographic focus in Victoria rather than NSW.
• Multicultural Women's Council Australia: Peak body for multicultural women in Australia providing advocacy, policy advice and community development. Comparable to MWA in mission (empowering culturally diverse women), service mix (advocacy, community programs, training) and target constituency.
• ICNA Relief Australia: Muslim community-services organization in Australia delivering settlement, family support, youth and welfare programs. Comparable to MWA on faith-informed service delivery and CALD Muslim community targeting, with overlapping program categories.
• Jewish Women's Aid Australia: Faith-informed women's organization supporting Jewish women experiencing domestic violence in Australia. Directly comparable to MWA on faith-informed DV/homelessness support, wrap-around case management, and culturally-specific service delivery.

Regional players

• Muslim Women's Network UK: UK national organization supporting Muslim women through advocacy, helpline services and policy engagement. Directly comparable to MWA on mission (Muslim women's empowerment, VAW response, faith-informed advocacy) but serving the UK Muslim community rather than Australia.
• Australian Muslim Advocacy Network: Australian Muslim civil-rights and advocacy organization. Comparable to MWA on community advocacy and policy engagement for Australian Muslims, but focused on legal/civil rights rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuSe5GBUihnBbfO3IVacu1Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/MuslimWomenAustralia
• Instagraminstagram.com/muslimwomenaustralia
• Xx.com/MuslimWomenAust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/muslim-women-australia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Muslim Women Australia