Microfinance opportunities
We support microfinance initiatives that help aspiring business owners who, because of their circumstances, are otherwise unable to access mainstream financial services.
Thrive Refugee Enterprises
Our partnership with Thrive Refugee Enterprises supports refugees and asylum seekers looking for microfinancing and business support to start and grow viable new businesses.
Thrive provides extensive and ongoing business mentoring and planning for clients, helping them build an understanding of Australian business laws and regulations and the operational requirements of a managing a small business.
Since commencing operations in 2017, Thrive has:
- Supported over 1,000 clients to find new employment opportunities including funding 184 business loans for new or expanded business opportunities.
- Helped clients write over 500 business plans.
- Leveraged the skills of Westpac Group employees, each sharing their time to build the capacity of clients to effectively establish and operate a business.