Thrive is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to assisting refugees and asylum seekers to become financially independent by starting or growing their own small businesses.

Since 2017, over 1500 refugees seeking or considering starting a small business have accessed support from Thrive. Of that, over 500 businesses have started, contributing to the Australian economy. Thrive have provided over $10 million in financing ranging from $10,000 up to $50,000 per loan.

“Thrive provides help and direction for people who really want to work. When you’re new in Australia, you can’t wait for work to come to you – you need to seek it out and be prepared to work hard. Thrive supports us to find and use what we already have inside us.”

Sarmad, Thrive supported business owner

Thrive can support you to start and grow your business

Personal consultation

  • What are your goals?

  • Is starting and operating a small business right for you? Do you have the knowledge and skills?

  • We can help you think through whether you should start a business.

Business planning

  • If you are ready to start a business, we can work with you to evaluate the type of business, viability and finance requirement.

  • We can provide assistance in preparing a business plan and cash flow.

Business finance

  • If business finance is required, we can provide business loan amounts between $10,000 and $50,000, terms and conditions based on individual circumstances.

Ongoing support

  • Mentoring may continue well beyond the start-up period, and through business establishment and maintenance as needed.

  • This is provided either internally by Thrive staff, skilled volunteers or through program partners.

  • Dec 2023

    Last Friday marked a milestone for Atefeh, a talented artist and entrepreneur that Thrive has been supporting since 2019. Starting with a loan for her art school/studio, Atefeh has now realized her dream of opening an art cafe!

  • Nov 2023

    Thrilled to share our involvement at the Settlement Council of Australia Conference, where we will showcase our work in supporting refugees and Asylum Seekers to start their own small business to gain financial independence and to foster a sense of belonging.

  • World Refugee Day

    Jun 2023

    Celebrating this day with thousands of our clients and their families. It has truly been a privilege to witness the strength it takes to start afresh and the courage and determination to start a new business, as a way to integrate and to provide.

  • Apr 2023

    Thrive runs regular workshops for local communities to provide information on the basic steps in starting a small business in Australia.. Pictured here is our Victorian team holding a Women in Business workshop.

  • Apr 2023

    Connecting with the local community at the recent Harmony Week in the city of Hume to celebrate inclusiveness, respect and building a sense of belonging for everyone through sport.

  • Mar 2023

    Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, today announced the Albanese Government’s $7.5m commitment to Victorian social enterprises that provide pathways to employment for refugees, such as Thrive. More

  • Mar 2023

    Congratulations to Mahnaz, her business, Maz Dog & Cat Grooming, was voted the 2023 finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion awards. Thrive is honoured to be a part of your business success.

  • Mar 2023

    Listen to our interview with SBS Arabic 24 Radio discussing the ways in which Thrive support refugees and asylum seekers to build successful businesses. Speaking on behalf our Thrive are our Victoria team members, Arie Moses and Rozeen Raad.

  • Mar 2023

    International Women’s Day, March 8. In support of gender equality, Thrive runs Refugee Women In Business information sessions throughout the year. Contact us to find out more.

  • Mar 2023

    Read Thrive’s impact report for the period of 2017-2022. The results validates Thrive’s vision to transform the lives of refugees and asylum seekers by helping them build viable businesses and fulfilling lives, so they make meaningful contributions in their new country, Australia.