Our Impact

Our Impact
Download our 2025 Impact Report D D o o w w n n l l o o a a d d   o o u u r r   2 2 0 0 2 2 5 5   I I m m p p a a c c t t   R R e e p p o o r r t t

Our programs have helped refugee and new migrant women build careers, earn income and participate fully in Australian life.

Our employment and training initiatives create pathways that start with building workplace skills and end with pathways to employment. Participants gain experience in sewing, retail and textile design, while contributing to sustainable local manufacturing.

Every role and training place is designed to address specific barriers to work, from lack of local experience to limited professional networks. By combining tailored support with paid opportunities, we help women establish the skills and confidence to secure ongoing employment.

Our Impact Pillars
image

Skills and Jobs

We provide fair-wage employment, industry-aligned training, and direct connections to the fashion and retail industry. This enables women to secure their first Australian job and progress into sustained employment beyond The Social Outfit.
image

Representation

We create platforms for storytelling, creative design, and community engagement. This enables women to build confidence, expand their networks and feel more visible and connected within Australian society.
image

Circularity

We embed circular principles into our production model through deadstock sourcing, small-batch local production, local manufacturing, and repair services. We reduce waste and emissions for Australia’s apparel industry while demonstrating circular fashion models in Australia.

Our Progress
Download our 2025 Impact Report D D o o w w n n l l o o a a d d   o o u u r r   2 2 0 0 2 2 5 5   I I m m p p a a c c t t   R R e e p p o o r r t t
image
16 tonnes of fabric diverted from landfill
image
150+ jobs created,
1,500+ trained

since we were founded.
image
83% first jobs in Australia
image
$2M+ wages paid

directly to refugee and migrant women in fair award wages.
image
Fatima's Story

Sewing Technician at The Social Outfit Promoted
to Level 4 Sewing Technician in 2025 

Fatima began The Social Outfit’s Beginners Industrial Program in 2023. She progressed to Earn & Learn, and was later employed part-time as a Sewing Technician in the Marrickville workroom. Her journey has been marked not only by technical progression, but by a growing confidence in her voice.

“I work to support my family and build a better life. My father always says he is proud that I have a skill, and that one day I can start my own business.”

– Fatima, Senior Sewing Technician at The Social Outfit

Our Impact Framework

Skills and Jobs

Representation

Circularity
Economic participation through paid work
Need

Less than 30% of refugee women are currently employed in Australia. Restricted access to local experience and skill development create compounding barriers that keep refugee and migrant women from employment and financial independence.

How we create change

We provide fair-wage employment, industry-aligned training, and direct connections to the fashion and retail industry. This enables women to secure their first Australian job and progress into sustained employment beyond The Social Outfit.

Impact Targets 2025 - 2030
  • 200 refugee women starting their first paid work experience in Australia at The Social Outfit
  • 200 refugee women assisted with job transitions, award level progression or education pathways 
  • $2.5M in wages paid to refugee and migrant women
  • 800 vocational skills and competency training completed by refugee women

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Social Outfit's impact targets align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
image
image
image
Visibility, voice, and belonging
Need

Refugee women bring creativity, skills and their rich cultures to Australia. Yet, they experience barriers to making social connections and feeling included in the Australian community.

How we create change

We create platforms for storytelling, creative design, and community engagement. This enables women to build confidence, expand their networks, and feel more visible and connected within Australian society.

Impact Targets 2025 - 2030
  • 200 refugee and migrant women represented in the community print design process
  • 200 stories by refugee women in media and at events
  • 40 million people hearing our stories (media reach + event attendance)
  • 600 refugee women attending our events

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Social Outfit's impact targets align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
image
image
image
Sustainable production
Need

Australians are the world’s biggest consumers of fashion. More than 200,000 tonnes of clothing ends up in landfill each year and only 15% of textile waste in Australia is recycled.

How we create change

We embed circular principles into our production model through deadstock sourcing, small-batch local production, local manufacturing, and repair services. This reduces waste and emissions while demonstrating viable circular fashion models in Australia.

Impact Targets 2025 - 2030
  • 5 tonnes of fabric saved from landfill 
  • 12% of garments unsold at end of season (industry reports up to 40%)
  • Establish metrics to quantify the environmental impact of the repair and alterations service
  • Partner with researchers to measure CO2 emissions avoided through deadstock sourcing and onshore production

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Social Outfit's impact targets align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
image
image
image
image

+125 jobs created
since
we were founded
image

2m+ wages paid to
learn on the job
image

1,350+ trained
in sewing or retail
Make a Donation

Donors have been instrumental in driving our impact over the years, and without it, The Social Outfit could not have made the difference to so many women's lives. Your financial contributions and support continue to change lives.
Donate D D o o n n a a t t e e
Discover more in our Instagram

Join our community on Instagram for the latest arrivals, our impact, behind-the-scenes moments, styling inspiration, and how our community wears their favourites. Tag us to be featured.
image
@thesocialoutfit
Follow F F o o l l l l o o w w