Membership FAQs

Which membership type is right for me?

Industry / Social Enterprise Membership is available to organisations that are People and Planet First (PPF) Verified, or can provide equivalent evidence to QSEC as part of their application. Eligible organisations generate a minimum 50% of their revenue through the trade of goods and services.

Associate Membership is open to all others, including social enterprises that do not yet meet PPF criteria, as well as businesses and individuals who operate in, support, or identify with the social enterprise sector.

Membership benefits are the same for both categories. However, voting rights at QSEC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) are reserved for Industry / Social Enterprise members.

 

If you’d like to discuss which membership type is right for you, please contact us.

Should I apply for People and Planet First (PPF) Verification?

Applying for People and Planet First (PPF) Verification is an important way to independently validate that your organisation is a genuine social enterprise.

With increasing scrutiny around greenwashing and social washing, verification provides government, corporates, and social procurement professionals with confidence that your organisation meets the five global standards of a social enterprise.

Verification also offers practical benefits, including:

  • Inclusion in QSEC’s verified social enterprise directory, which connects directly via API to procurement platforms used by Queensland Government agencies and councils across 77 Local Government Areas
  • A public profile on Good Market, a global directory of social enterprises and social impact businesses
  • Increased eligibility for government grants and funding opportunities, where verification is increasingly becoming a requirement

QSEC members receive one free PPF verification or renewal application each year.

If you’d like to talk about PPF verification, please contact us.

How can I stay informed about and get involved in QSEC’s activities?

There are several ways to stay connected and engaged with QSEC and the broader social enterprise sector:

  • Subscribe to the monthly QSEC Sector News newsletter to receive updates on opportunities, events, and sector developments
  • Follow QSEC on Humanitix and regularly check the News and Events pages on our website for upcoming activities
  • Connect with QSEC on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for timely announcements and sector insights
  • Participate in QSEC’s regular events, including, New Member Meet Up’s, Industry Roundtables and Regional Huddles delivered in-person and online across Queensland
  • Visit the QSEC Resource Hub to access sector news, funding and grant opportunities, policy updates, resources, and learning materials
  • Schedule a catch-up with a member of the QSEC team to stay connected and make the most of your membership

If you would like more information about upcoming activities or ways to get involved, please contact our team.

How can I access information about funding or grants for social enterprises?

While QSEC does not provide funding or grants directly, we regularly share information about relevant funding and grant opportunities in the Resource Hub.

This typically includes current opportunities offered by state and local government agencies, as well as selected philanthropic funding opportunities that may be available to social enterprises.

We encourage members to check the Resource Hub regularly to stay informed about new funding opportunities as they arise.

Does QSEC have a directory of potential corporate buyers?

QSEC maintains a member directory on its website, as well as a verified social enterprise directory that connects via API directly to procurement platforms used by Queensland Government agencies and councils across 77 Local Government Areas.

While this directory supports visibility with government buyers, it does not extend to a dedicated list of corporate purchasers. However, many corporates are Associate Members of QSEC and receive the QSEC Sector News newsletter, which helps connect them with social enterprises and sector opportunities.

Am I a social enterprise?

To understand if your business model meets the attributes of a SE, explore QSEC’s “Am I a social enterprise?” page to obtain a better understanding of how the attributes are measured against the global standards.

The QSEC team is also available for guidance.

General Login & Access

How do I access or edit my business listing on the new website?

A key feature of the new QSEC website is providing members with access to edit and manage their own directory listing(s) in the Members’ Hub under: ‘My Social Enterprises listing‘.

  • If you had an existing listing on the old site, a new account was automatically created for you. Please note, during this process, not all information associated was able to be copied over. This is why some accounts may be missing logos or detailed business information.
  • Please keep your directory listing up to date, and take advantage of the NEW feature that allows the upload of a video about your social enterprise.

If you can’t find your directory listing(s) please contact us.

I don't remember my password or I'm logging in for the first time. How do I set a new password

  • Click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page.
  • Enter the email address associated with your listing on the old site.
  • An email with be automatically sent to you with a password reset link.
  • Click the link in the email to set your new password.

Common Login Issues & Troubleshooting

I'm trying to reset my password, but I'm not receiving the email.

Please check your spam or junk folder. The email may have been filtered. Ensure you are using the correct email address that was linked to your listing on the old website. If you still cannot find the email, please contact the QSEC team with your Business Name and contact details.

The email address we used on the old site is no longer active. How can I gain access?

You will need to contact the QSEC team directly. To help us verify your identity and update the email address, please provide your Business Name, Old Email Address, and the New Email Address you wish to use. We may require additional verification.

I'm not sure which email address was used previously

Contact the QSEC Team and we can help you find the correct email address associated with your listing.

Please provide your Business Name and contact details to assist us.

Listing Management

After logging in, I can't see the correct listing connected to my account.

It’s possible your login email was connected to a different listing in our database. Please contact us immediately with the name of the listing you see and the correct name of your business’s listing. We will manually reconnect your account to the correct listing.

Logo Upload Guidelines

These guidelines ensure all your social enterprise logo is high-quality, professional, and displayed consistently across the new QSEC platform.

What are the best practices for uploading my logo?

For the best results, your logo should adhere to the following specifications:

  • File Type: PNG (preferred for transparency) or JPG.
  • Background: Transparent or solid White background. This helps the logo display correctly on different parts of the website.
  • Tightly Cropped: The logo image should be tightly cropped to the edges of the logo design itself, with no empty space around it

What are the ideal pixel dimensions for my logo?

  • We recommend uploading an image with the long side dimensions of at least 1000px
  • While the site will resize the image, a larger initial size ensures the logo remains sharp and clear even on high-resolution displays.

Is there a maximum file size for the logo?

  • Yes, the maximum file size is 2MB. You should aim for the highest quality possible under this limit. PNG files with transparent backgrounds are generally efficient.

Video Upload & Promotion

Each social enterprise listing has the option to embed a short video to appear on your list. Please read the best practices and frequently asked questions for promoting your social enterprise using a short video.

Can I add a promotional video to my listing?

Yes! We strongly encourage adding a video. A short, impactful video is one of the best ways to explain and promote your social enterprise’s mission and impact to potential customers.

What is the ideal format and length for the video?

  • We recommend a vertical video (9:16 aspect ratio, uploaded to YouTube Shorts.
  • The video should be 60 seconds or less. This keeps the audience engaged and ensures your key message is delivered quickly.
  • At this point in time, the video must be hosted on YouTube (e.g., as a YouTube Short). You simply enter in the video’s URL via the Edit your listing page video’s URL and it will embed directly into your listing.

What kind of content should my 60-second video include?

  • The Problem: Briefly state the issue you are tackling.
  • Your Solution: Show how your enterprise addresses this problem.
  • The Impact: Clearly explain what purchasing your product or using your service achieves.

Don’t see what you’re looking for?

If your question isn’t covered in this FAQ, please contact us directly.

Contact QSEC