The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) is a purpose-led, not-for-profit organisation that brings businesses and low socio-economic status schools together to address educational disadvantage.

We work to level the playing field for students from low-income backgrounds by creating impactful partnerships with Australian businesses that drive social equity and grow the future generation workforce. Our award-winning mentoring programs are designed to raise students’ aspirations, develop essential skills and help build connections and social capital. But these programs also support the DEI, community and employee development initiatives of the companies within our network.

We provide employees of our member companies with meaningful and skilled volunteering opportunities to mentor students from low socio-economic status schools. These mentoring programs build key skills, facilitate insights into various careers and workplaces, and broaden students’ horizons. Mentors, in turn, enhance their coaching abilities and deepen their understanding of younger generations and diverse cultures.

Membership in ABCN is tiered, with fees dependent upon staff numbers. ABCN also partners with organisations to develop and deliver innovative new programs.

If you are interested in learning how your organisation can get involved, we’d love to hear from you – get in touch with our partnerships team today.

Young Australians from the second-lowest socio-economic decile are almost twice as likely to not be fully engaged in education, training or employment at the age of 24. And while just under 95% of high-performing advantaged students expect to complete higher education in Australia, only around 75% of high-performing students from low socio-economic status schools expect to do the same. This disparity is not a reflection of talent but of opportunity. In a world where education, networks, and access to resources are increasingly critical to success, socio-economic barriers are perpetuating cycles of disadvantage.

ABCN creates a future-fit workforce through our shared value proposition: meaningful interactions that improve student employability while increasing mentors’ workplace success. We collaborate with our member companies to build impactful partnerships that drive social equity, and support the success of our organisations and their teams: