Global Sisters Impact
Supported
5,511
Women
Facilitated
$5.7m+
pro bono support for our Sisters, from corporates and businesses
2022 Impact Snapshot
Increase Her Odds: Economic Security Re-designed with Women in Mind
The following provides a summary of our impact from 1 April 21- 31 March 2022.
Global Sisters exists to make business possible for women nationwide. Our purpose is to unlock women’s potential and support them to overcome any barriers so they can create their own employment via micro business and improve their long-term economic security.
In April 2022, Global Sisters conducted an in-depth Impact Evaluation to measure our direct impact on Sisters, the diverse women Global Sisters supports across Australia. Our impact data shows that Sisters are progressing through the stages of our Impact Roadmap (see interactive diagram below), from overcoming barriers to starting their business to a pathway to long-term economic security for themselves and their families.
Our evaluation showed that after six months or more with Global Sisters, the overwhelming majority of Sisters are participating economically and generating their own income. Our Sisters are more likely to be:
Improving their business acumen
Launching new businesses
Transitioning from government income support
Increasing their financial resilience
Creating a financial buffer to weather economic shocks
Creating new jobs by employing others
The Journey to Economic Security
Our data shows that Sisters are progressing along the Global Sisters Impact Roadmap towards long term economic security
Hover over the stages of the interactive Global Sisters Impact Roadmap and read through the information below to learn about the impact of Global SIsters on each stage of a Sisters journey to long-term economic security. Our 2022 Impact Report provides a more extensive overview of our impact. View the 2022 Impact Report here.

- Lack of confidence
- Lack of connection and support
- Lack of business skills and acumen
- Financial barriers
Global Sisters enabled over $1,000,000 in pro bono business support directly to our Sisters.72% of our Sisters are earning a business income after six months or more with Global Sisters.
For Sisters who have been with Global Sisters for six months or more and have started earning a business income, $1162 is the average monthly business income
15% of Sisters surveyed are earning more than $2000 monthly business income43% of Sister respondents who were on government support when they started with Global Sisters have decreased or ended their reliance on government support completely.17% increase in Sisters who have household savings of three months or more
23% increase in Sisters who can raise $2000 if needed in an emergency198 Sister businesses have hired employees in the last year, with 436 new jobs createdSisters have reinvested $9.1 million of business income into their families and community in the last year alone

Barriers
Our research1 shows that the top four barriers to women starting a business are:

Lack of confidence

Lack of connection & support

Lack of business skills and acumen

Financial barriers
Sister’s starting point
47
had not started their business yet
54
were in the start-up stage or beyond

Economic participation/job pathway
After 6 months or more with Global Sisters, of the Sisters surveyed:
71
agree/strongly agree they now have the skills and knowledge to run a business
79
have launched or are growing their business
67
did not have a business before joining Global Sisters
48% of female entrepreneurs3 lack guidance from competent and experienced advisors. However, in the last year, with Global Sisters facilitation:
295
women were connected with expert business coaches & pro bono support
$1,000,000
enabled in pro bono business support directly to our Sisters

Job creation
Women are more likely to be underemployed than men in Australia (10.3% compared to 8.5%) and therefore are less likely to have adequate income to stay above the poverty line4.
72
of Sisters are earning a business income after six months or more with Global Sisters
This income average of $1162 per month can supplement or replace other household income to increase economic security.

Job & income sustained
After 6 months or more with Global Sisters, Sisters surveyed are creating jobs for themselves and earning income through their business.
1162
per month is the average income for Sisters who have started earning from their businesses
42
of Sisters are hoping to make a supplemental income through their business. For these Sisters the average income of $1162 achieves this goal. For the other 58% of Sisters who want their business to provide full time income, this is progress towards their goal.
15
are earning more than $2000 monthly business income

Welfare & other dependence reduced/eliminated
There are 437k women receiving Job Seeker payments in Australia5; however, after six months or more with Global Sisters, Sisters earning a business income are receiving an average business income of $1162 a month, which is almost equal to Job Seeker. This means that Sisters who are consistently earning about the Job Seeker rate can therefore transition transition off Job Seeker or other welfare payments.
43
of Sisters respondents who were on government support when they started with Global Sisters have decreased or ended their reliance on government support completely

Women’s financial inclusion & assets
Two indicators of financial resilience are the amounts a person has in superannuation and savings. In 2015–16, the median superannuation balance at, or approaching, 55–64 years for women was $96,000, considerably lower than $166,300 for men6.
62
of Sisters have insufficient savings when joining Global Sisters
(no savings, or savings of less than two months household income)
After 6 months or more with Global Sisters, there is a:
23
increase in Sisters who can raise $2000 if needed in an emergency

Employ others
There are over 548,000 unemployed people in Australia. With Sister business increasing their income and sales, many Sisters need to hire employees, creating new jobs for others in society who may have previously struggled to find flexible or appropriate work. We estimate:
198
Sister businesses have hired employees in the last year
436
new jobs have been created often targeted at women and people experiencing vulnerability





Long-term economic security and macro ripple effect
Ability to financially weather a crisis
1 in 10 Australians don’t have access to $2000 in an emergency7 but for our Sisters, often women experiencing vulnerability, this is significantly higher. Our data shows that a high number of our Sisters have a low level of economic security when starting at Global Sisters, however due to increasing and sustained business income, there is an increase in Sisters who are now have a financial buffer and security to weather economic shocks.
56
of Sisters are unsure whether they could raise this money if needed, before they joined Global Sisters.

However, after six months or more with Global Sisters, this percentage decreases by
22
Poverty Reduction
11.8% of the population, including 750,000 children, were living in poverty in early 20228.
We estimate Sisters have reinvested
$9.1m
of business income into their families and community in the last year
Most of which are experiencing poverty or vulnerability (Estimation based on research and our data sample. See hereThis figure is based on evaluation data of 132 surveyed Sisters. This data shows that the average income is $772 (including Sisters who aren't yet earning an income). Therefore we can extrapolate these findings for our 1101 engaged Sisters throughout this period, assuming a 90% reinvestment rate based on external research9, to estimate $9.1 million.) for our methodology for this estimation).
Economic security for older women
Older women are the fastest-growing group at risk of homelessness in Australia, with a 40% increase in older women sleeping rough between 2006- 2016. However, after six months or more with Global Sisters, women over 50 are:
29
more likely to have access to an emergency fund
77
are now earning income from their business
745
is the average monthly business income being earned by these Sisters
3
higher than their business income before starting with Global Sisters
Ethical businesses
370
businesses are selling on The Global Sisters Marketplace that meet Global Sister’s GOODbusiness ethical criteria. These businesses have a focus on sustainable and ethical business practice and products. The ripple effects of women businesses operating in this way ripples out to benefit society.

Women Led

Eco-conscious

Kind to animals

Community minded
Impact Journey Maps
Each of our Sisters’ business journeys is unique, following different timelines, facing enablers and hurdles along the way, and requiring different levels and types of support from Global Sisters. To portray the way our suite of programs impacts Sisters at various stages of their journey, we have developed a series of interactive video Journey Maps.
Fabiola Campbell’s Business Journey
My business, Professional Migrant Women, works to grow migrant women’s visibility and representation across the Australian corporate landscape. Within less than a year of engagement with Global Sisters, I have continued to grow my confidence to advocate with high powered stakeholders, accelerated my business knowledge and significantly expanded my networks and awareness of my brand. My business has momentum and is growing rapidly with support from the Global Sisters community.
WATCH MY JOURNEY

www.professionalmigrantwomen.com.au/our-events/
Professional Migrant Women
Watch my journey
Who are our Sisters in 2021/2022?
Our Intended Impact
The impact of which will ripple out to contribute to Global Sisters four macro outcomes: child poverty, mental health and wellbeing, domestic violence and older women’s homelessness. These six domains and four macro outcomes are further outlined in the impact diagram below:
mobile
Impact against our six impact domains in 2021/2022
Business Acumen
Making Business Possible
Addressing one of the biggest barriers to women starting their own micro business, Global Sisters’ support significantly impacts our Sisters’ knowledge and skills in launching, running and growing businesses. This learning does not happen at a single point in time; instead, knowledge continues to build and increase as they progress through Sister School, business coaching & pro bono support programs and ongoing learning through expert and peer networks.
Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022:
251
Sisters completed our Sister School
144
Sisters completed our
First 10 Customers Program
63
Sisters engaged in our
Industry Circles Program
71%
of Sisters who have engaged with Global Sisters for at least six months agree/strongly agree that they have the skills and knowledge to run a business (up 20% compared to when Sisters started)
Enterprise
Business Developing
Through provision of an in-depth roadmap of support, programs and tools, Global Sisters is making business possible for our Sisters.
After 6 months or more of engaging with Global Sisters, of Sisters surveyed:
79%

have launched or are growing their business67% of Sisters did not have a business when starting with Global Sisters
16% are currently in growth stage
67% plan to be in growth stage in 3 months
Sisters are setting themselves up for success by developing robust business plans, e-commerce platforms and social media channels for their businesses.
90%

of Sisters have, or are developing online sales channels
99% have social media channels for their business
87% have formulated a strategy for their business to enable successAfter six months or more with Global Sisters
Financial Resilience & Wellbeing
Increased Income
Global Sisters is successfully supporting women to increase their financial resilience and progress towards building long-term economic security for themselves and their families.
After 6+ months with Global Sisters, Sisters are more likely to:
Earn a regular business income
72% of Sisters surveyed are earning an income from their business (21% increase compared when Sisters started)
$1162 is the average monthly business income for Sisters whose businesses have started bringing in income
Transition off government support payment
43% of Sisters surveyed who were on government support when they started with Global Sisters have decreased or ended their reliance on government support completely
Have financial security to weather a crisis
54% of Sisters can raise $2000 if needed in an emergency (23% increase compared to when Sisters started)
Empowerment
Confidence
At Global Sisters, empowerment for our Sisters means they perceive themselves as businesswomen with dignity, freedom and choice. The Global Sisters community is providing our Sisters with newfound confidence and changing their perceptions of themselves and their hope for the future.
After six months or more with Global Sisters, we see significant increases in Sisters’ confidence in their skills and abilities as businesswomen.
45%
increase in women who are confident/ fairly confident to work under stress74% of Sisters report this after six months or more with Global Sisters
35%
increase in women who are confident/ fairly confident to come up with ideas83% of Sisters report this after six months or more with Global Sisters
2X
increase in women who are fairly/very confident in their ability to employ and train staff46% of Sisters report this after six months or more with Global Sisters
41%
increase in women who are fairly/very confident in their ability to develop and maintain business relationships73% of Sisters report this after six months or more with Global Sisters
44%
increase in women who are fairly/very confident in their ability to see new opportunities for their service or product63% of Sisters report this after six months or more with Global Sisters
Influence
Sister Leadership
Our data shows that our direct impact with our Sisters is rippling out to benefit their families, community and society as a whole. Based on this research and findings from our 2021/22 evaluation we can confidently estimate that over
$9.1This figure is based on evaluation data of 132 surveyed Sisters. This data shows that the average income is $772 (including Sisters who aren't yet earning an income). Therefore we can extrapolate these findings for our 1101 engaged Sisters throughout this period, assuming a 90% reinvestment rate based on external research9, to estimate $9.1 million.)
Million

of business income has been reinvested backBetween 1 April 2021- 31 March 2022 into our Sister’s families & communities
Our Sisters are also contributing positively by running their businesses:
165 Sister
businesses
selling on the Global Sisters Marketplace that meet our good business ethical criteria.
Sisters are hiring employees and creating jobs:
198
Sister businesses have hired employees in the last year
436
new jobs were created through Sister businesses
Connection
Inclusive Community & Powerful Networks
Global Sisters is connecting women to business and support networks that women entrepreneurs often lack when they are starting out.
Over the year Global Sisters connected:
265
Sisters with specialist coaches for ongoing and point-in-time support
539
Sisters joined our closed Sister Facebook Community, bringing our total members to 1652 Sisters
136
Sisters participated in our sister pitch events, pitching their business to a panel of experts who provided guidance and offers of support
As a result
$1 million
of pro bono support from corporates and businesses was provided to our Sisters
The % of Sisters reporting that they have the networks and community they need to lead their business
has doubledafter six months or more engagement with Global Sisters (compared to the % of Sisters reporting this when they started)
Global Sisters 2021/2022 Impact Evaluation and impact data was possible thanks to the support of the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
References:
1 https://impact.globalSisters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/GS220322-Womens-Barriers-Support-Needs-Paper.pdf
2 https://impact.globalSisters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/GS220322-Womens-Barriers-Support-Needs-Paper.pdf
3 https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/09/21/overcoming-some-of-the-barriers-to-women-entrepreneurship/?sh=5cdfe9f42780
4 https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/business-law/women-underemployment-and-gender-inequality-labour-force
5 https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/dss-payment-demographic-data/resource/0a6df0ff-03a3-451e-a4b2-e0224e647379
6 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/homelessness-services/specialist-homelessness-services-annual-report/contents/about
7 https://news.nab.com.au/news/three-quarters-of-aussies-keen-to-save-but-challenged-with-everyday-expenses/
8 https://bcec.edu.au/assets/2022/03/BCEC-Poverty-and-Disadvantage-Report-March-2022-FINAL-WEB.pdf
9 https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/bitstream/handle/10822/1043966/Perselay_georgetown_0076M_13617.pdf?sequence=1
References:
1 The real barriers to women’s employment & business startup
2 The real barriers to women’s employment & business startup
3 Overcoming Some Of The Barriers To Women Entrepreneurship
4 Women, underemployment and gender inequality in the labour force
5 DSS Demographics – June 2021
6 Specialist homelessness services annual report 2020–21
7 Three quarters of Aussies keen to save but challenged with everyday expenses
8 BCEC Poverty and Disadvantage Report – March 2022
9 Investigating the Women’s Multiplier Effect and Propensity for Community-Oriented Spending