Sisterworks

SisterWorks is a not-for-profit social enterprise, based in Melbourne & Bendigo.

Through work and entrepreneurship, our mission is to support women who are refugees, asylum seekers or migrants to improve their confidence, mental well-being, sense of belonging and economic outlook.  

Our Vision: An Australia where all migrant women are given the opportunities to become economically empowered.

SisterWorks Empowerment Hubs are workplaces and training centres that provide women who are refugees, asylum seekers or migrants with meaningful opportunities to develop pathways of education, employment, entrepreneurship and leadership. 

The Empowerment Hubs provide a centralised meeting place to prevent isolation and helps these women to connect with each other, as well as to connect with local and global communities.

SisterWorks delivers learning opportunities through our Labs: Support, Design, Cooking, Business, Digital and Pathways. SisterWorks provides a safe, friendly and nurturing space. 

We learn by doing. We share knowledge, we support each other and together we grow.

Our Model: Work Empowers Women

The SisterWorks Model is open to women of all skill levels. Our unique model is centered around empowerment, fostering a sense of independence and providing opportunities. 

SisterWorks brings together three key elements:

• Learning by Doing: SisterWorks engages migrant and refugee women in different roles in the organisation: as participants, entrepreneurs, volunteers or staff members. They learn about how to work in Australia by working and doing business together, within a supportive network and child-friendly environment.
• Community: SisterWorks recognises and teaches the importance of community and the power of camaraderie amongst women. SisterWorks supports and uplifts its members to regain their ‘personal voice’ in Australia.
• Financial Incentives: SisterWorks shows women that they can add value and earn money, despite the barriers they have faced in gaining employment. This improves the women’s confidence in their skills and abilities. SisterWorks encourages women to explore options to earn money.

To date, we have supported more than 800 women from 56 different countries. To increase the number of migrant and refugee women empowered to access opportunities in the workforce, SisterWorks is starting to share its Model into other Victorian regions. New partners and Sisters are joining our SisterWorks Family throughout the state.