Print this page From Profit to Purpose: An Introduction to Co-operatives

This accessible short course introduces co-operatives as member-owned organisations built around participation, shared benefit and collective purpose. Found across areas such as housing, retail and community enterprise, they offer a practical alternative to purely profit-driven models.

You’ll explore what defines a co-operative, how it operates and why this structure is gaining renewed interest in today’s social and economic landscape. Ideal for beginners, the course will appeal to anyone curious about ethical business, community initiatives or different ways of organising work and resources.

Suitable for adult learners, community members, creatives, and those curious about alternative economic models

DELIVERY MODE

• Face to face
• Online

COURSE OUTLINE

• What a co-operative is and how it differs from traditional businesses
• Core principles of co-operatives
• Member ownership and democratic decision-making
• Types of co-operatives (e.g. consumer, worker, housing)
• Real-world examples (Australia and global)
• Benefits and challenges of co-operatives
• Why co-operatives are relevant today
• Reflection: where co-operatives could exist in everyday life

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Understand what a co-operative is and its key characteristics
2. Recognise how co-operatives differ from traditional business models
3. Identify basic principles of member ownership and democratic control
4. Describe real-world examples of co-operatives
5. Recognise the benefits and challenges of co-operative structures
6. Reflect on the relevance of co-operatives in contemporary society