In 2023 the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs funded a pilot with 20 social enterprises to deliver the EPRI program over three years. It is designed specifically to support refugees with low English and/or low skills to build a pathway to employment or self-employment. In March 2025 the program funding was extended for 12 months.
The EPRI program pilot enabled WCC to support 240 refugees to improve their English, build skills and confidence, identify their interests, tackle employment barriers and build a pathway to employment or self-employment. WCC offers tailored support, including training, volunteering, paid placements, casual and part-time roles, job search strategies, resume building, and interview techniques, equipping participants with the skills they need to secure sustainable and meaningful employment. WCC’s four social enterprises play a key role in getting participants job ready.
WCC EPRI program participant journeys through working across four WCC social enterprises and our small business program:
driverEd is a multilingual professional driving school enterprise that provides high-quality and culturally appropriate lessons. In addition to providing driving lessons for EPRI who can’t drive the social enterprise supports refugees to start their own business as certified instructors.
“As the oldest son, losing my dad placed a huge responsibility on my shoulders with the family relying on me. I doubted my English and skills, thinking I wouldn’t get far. WCC’s support turned my dream into reality. Now I’m a full-time driving instructor and forever grateful”
Women in Work mobile childcare (WiW) provides a flexible mobile childcare service. WiW employs refugee women who are experiencing barriers to employment due to English level. Women in Work offers EPRI participants the opportunity to shadow experienced workers to learn from doing. WCC also offers participants secondments with WiW clients.
Food Collective operates a café and catering enterprise, to provide training and employment in food handling, wholesaling, logistics and retail for refugees migrants and young people.
nugal biik Plants and Seeds, is a production nursery specialising in indigenous flora of the region. It is proudly climate positive, supports local First Nations initiatives, conservation activities and refugee employment pathways.
WCC’s Small Business Projects offer free business skills and training, helping participants transform their ideas or skills into micro-businesses.
“WCC helped me turn my hobby into a small business, allowing me to share my culture, create something special, and support my family while building a future in Australia. It’s been a life-changing experience, and the support and guidance gave me the push I needed. This opportunity has enabled me to learn, grow, and build something meaningful.”