Benefits for Australia

Co-operatives and mutuals are important to the prosperity of Australia. They help to create an economy and society that works in the interests of the widest number of people by sharing power in, and the rewards of, business.

Co-ops and mutuals have played an important part in the development of the Australian economy. From the earliest days, Australians have co-operated in business, both out of necessity and from a shared sense of purpose.

By bringing together the natural entrepreneurialism of a new nation, the Australian inclination towards self-help, with the common sense to work together for the common good, mutually owned business has formed part of the bedrock of the Australian economy.

These co-ops and mutuals have been in business for the long term, focused on their core purpose of serving their members and the wider community. They are important. They are home grown. They deliver competition and choice and spread the benefits of business far beyond investor shareholders into the wider population.

Co-operatives and mutuals are owned by Australians, pay their taxes in Australia and contribute to our nation’s prosperity.

As part of a mixed economy, co-ops and mutuals:

• Help to build an economy with a diversity of business types
• Provide competition and choice for consumers in a wide range of markets
• Are businesses that plan for the long term rather than short term
• Are businesses that treat customers fairly and honestly
• Share the benefits of business and wealth throughout the country
• Provide quality local employment opportunities for Australians
• Provide services to communities that are valued and needed

The contribution of the CME sector to the Australian economy

Co-operative and mutual enterprises are a significant contributor to the Australian economy.

Eight in ten Australians are members of at least one of the country’s 1,848 active co-operative and mutual enterprises (CMEs).

This adds up to more than 33.3 million combined memberships.

Australia’s CMEs directly employ more than 76,000 people and have a combined turnover of more than $40.4 billion (excluding superannuation funds). (Source 2023 NME Report)

CMEs play a vital in the Australian economy.