Supporting vulnerable Queenslanders

Ability Enterprises, a not-for-profit social enterprise, provides meaningful employment opportunities for vulnerable Queenslanders with disabilities enabling them to contribute to the safety of Queenslanders, and environmental sustainability.

Their selfless contribution to community safety during the pandemic demonstrates the Buy Queensland procurement approach of putting Queenslanders first.

When approached to undertake COVID quarantine and general cleaning during the pandemic, 46 Toowoomba employees willingly stepped up to help keep Queenslanders safe under a QBuild cleaning contract.

Ability Enterprises imported Australia’s first NOCO Max fogging machine, used to undertake COVID sanitisation, which the employees used to clean state government offices. They also cleaned government cars and wearing full PPE including full face breathing apparatuses and Hazmat suits, undertook deep cleaning at the Wellcamp quarantine facility.

Chief Executive Officer of Ability Enterprises, Claire Torkington said of the employees, “Our staff really stepped up to the challenge. I think the idea of being part of something bigger, for the betterment of all was empowering to them.”

Winning Buy Queensland awards in 2019 and 2021 set Ability Enterprises on a strong growth journey.  It validates the Buy Queensland procurement approach by sourcing local suppliers, employing from its community and engaging with local businesses and government.

The social enterprise is fostering sustainability and creating new opportunities by investing in purpose-designed machinery to recycle clean single use medical plastics as well as plastic drink bottle tops into pellets for resale into the Queensland market.

The social enterprise has partnered with University of Southern Queensland's No Waste Project to further multiple projects on minimising waste in Toowoomba.

Ability Enterprises continues to innovate, looking forward for strategic growth opportunities which provide meaningful work opportunities for its employees.

“Employment lifts living standards and gives people a sense of worth,” Claire said.

More information

• Find out more about the Buy Queensland approach, ensuring Queenslanders benefit from the government’s procurement investment.
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