We're committed to giving back to our communities
We want to contribute to building a better future. A more inclusive society for our people, their families, our customers and all Australians. One where everyone has a safe place to sleep at night.
We asked our people to help shape our social impact program and their voices have guided us in establishing partnerships with aligned community-based service providers, focused on creating opportunities for employees to give back. Overwhelmingly, our people are passionate about two specific areas; mental health and homelessness, which form the foundations of our program today.
Diversity and inclusion
Our Approach
We’re committed to embracing diversity within the workplace, advocating for change, driving progress, and supporting inclusion.
Led by our people, our Diversity and Inclusion committee is guiding our journey, defining what it means to belong and making our vision a reality.
An inclusive space for our community
Our wellness hub came to life during the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. A space to prioritise mental health and holistic wellness. It’s available to anyone, with resources and expert masterclasses, created in partnership with our wellness suppliers.
Homes for Homes is a social enterprise – backed by The Big Issue – that aims to help end homelessness in Australia by asking property owners to donate 0.1% of the sale price of their property. These funds are directed to community housing providers to increase the supply of affordable and social housing. These funds are then pooled and disbursed to community housing providers to increase the supply of affordable and social housing.
We first started collaborating with Homes for Homes in 2016, to transition the paper caveat process to digital. We couldn’t be prouder to see the relationship evolve into a shared value partnership. We are still working together, now with the aim to support a long-term promise to help end homelessness in Australia.
What we've achieved so far
Between 2021 and 2022, we will be granting at least $250,000 to Homes for Homes via a national grant disbursement program that’s designed to help increase the supply of social and affordable housing for those who need it most.
$125,000 has contributed towards the Homes for Homes grant program. Click to read more.
We have one person dedicated full- time to support our program delivery.
Our PEXA team dedicates their time though monthly volunteering opportunities.
PEXA in the community
SisterWorks
SisterWorks empowers female refugees, asylum seekers and migrants by generating work and entrepreneurship opportunities. The initiative improves confidence and mental wellbeing, and provides a sense of belonging and economic security. We’re proud to be a supporter.
In 2020 we kicked off our first mentorship program, giving PEXArians and the SisterWorks team the opportunity to connect and share knowledge.
Our relationship quickly evolved, and in March 2021 we hosted a SisterWorks hack day – an initiative of some very passionate PEXArians. With more than 40 PEXArians taking part, the team used technology and innovative thinking to provide solutions for six SisterWorks business problems.
We’re continuing to work together today, supporting the implementation of new initiatives through skills-based volunteering opportunities. It’s an exciting collaboration and a wonderful way to empower women every day.
GoodCompany
Through our volunteer policy, PEXA employees have the opportunity to take one day per year to volunteer at a not-for-profit organisation of their choice – by themselves or with their colleagues.
We’ve partnered with GoodCompany to connect PEXArians with more than 1,500 volunteer opportunities on the Workplace Giving platform. It allows the PEXA team to donate to, fundraise for, or volunteer with, an organisation of their choice.
Small Business Australia
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough for small businesses. So we’re proud to be a founding partner of The Buy Local movement. It’s an initiative to encourage consumers to buy and support their local traders, whether online, over the phone or face-to-face. By banding together with organisations nationwide, the aim is to help small businesses weather the economic impacts of the pandemic.
As well as promoting the cause, we’re providing PEXA customers with free access to Small Busines Australia’s knowledge suite, which includes more than 50 learning resources, videos and digital business tools.
The Big Issue International Vendor Week
PEXA’s CEO, Glenn King joined local vendor Louis to sell the Big Issue Magazine during International Vendor Week, helping shine a spotlight on the homelessness and disadvantaged.
Packing Buddy Bags
“What a humbling experience. I, and a group of my colleagues from across the business, spent a day packing ‘Buddy Bags’ for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. It reminded me about the tough time so many children have and how we can all do something to make a difference.” – Martin Karpowicz, GM Product Planning & Implementation
Our response to the bushfires
In 2020 PEXA made a corporate donation of $100,000 to the Red Cross Bushfire Relief and Recovery Fund. But PEXA employees wanted to go further, doing their part in supporting the recovery of Australia’s beautiful wildlife. Together, our teams raised more than $8,000 for WIRES and Wildlife Victoria.
Walking 1,000 KM
One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. PEXA’s Queensland team challenged themselves to walk 1,000km to raise vital funds for the Cancer Council. The funds will support cancer research and provide essential services for Australians living with cancer.
OzHarvest
“We spent the day cooking delicious meals for OzHarvest, who use collected and donated ingredients to make and deliver meals to those less fortunate. We made pumpkin pie and rice paper rolls. It was a very rewarding experience and the entire team left with a greater understanding of just how precious food is and that it’s not something we should ever take for granted.” – Thanh Vo, Senior Customer Support Specialist
Foodbank WA
“We spent a day volunteering at Foodbank WA packing whole chickens! Foodbank WA act as a conduit between the food industry’s surplus food and the welfare sector’s need to ensure all West Australians have enough food to eat. After an entire day of packing chickens, we were very appreciative of the fantastic work they do and grateful we could help make a difference.” – Angella Chick, Executive Manager, Practitioner Services (WA)& SA.
