We’re building a cooperative for people helping people; providing essential assistance and solidarity to meet our needs while actively working to reshape and challenge unjust systems. Owned by members, existing solely benefit members and support our wider community.

Mutual Aid Australia will offer a digital platform for individuals and local community groups to come together to support one another’s needs, acknowledging the inadequacy of existing systems to fulfil these requirements. It emphasises interpersonal action without solely relying on established power structures.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we forming a co-operative

The Humanitarian Changemakers Network (HCN) operates through a redistributive social enterprise model, where we redistribute profits from HCN to various nonprofit initiatives and charities. Moving forward, we want to ensure that we can use these profits to better support our community of Changemakers, so we are forming a member cooperative.

A co-operative is a democratic organisation, owned and controlled by its members for a common benefit. It is a separate legal entity. We are forming Mutual Aid Australia, a non-distributing (not-for-profit) cooperative that HCN can redistribute its profits to, and members will be able to vote and collectively decide on the allocation of resources and funds.

Our initial focus areas will be (1) cost of living support (food, housing, shelter), (2) mutual aid funds (establishing a fund to support changemakers experiencing medical, legal, DV or mental health crises), and (3) knowledge and skill sharing. How funds/resources are actually allocated is up to members to decide once formed.
What are the benefits of membership?

Members all hold equal voting rights, allowing members to democratically determine how the mutual aid resources and funds of the cooperative are distributed. It also allows members to access the Mutual Aid Australia marketplace, and offer or receive mutual aid from other changemakers.
What are the membership requirements
Members must agree to the cooperative rules, which will be established upon legally forming the organisation. Members must adhere to the rules to retain membership.

We will offer membership tiers to accommodate members’ various circumstances, and it is at the discretion of each individual to select the tier that aligns with their situation:
- Accessible (e.g. unwaged) – $12/year
- Concession (e.g. student) – $60/year
- Standard (e.g. waged) – $120/year
Regardless of the chosen tier, every member holds equal voting rights, ensuring inclusivity and fairness within the cooperative.
Why Mutual Aid

Mutual aid is about solidarity and collective support. It focuses on community-driven assistance, where individuals come together to meet each other’s needs without the reliance on traditional institutions. Mutual aid acknowledges the inadequacy of these existing systems to fulfil our needs, and fosters a sense of cooperation and reciprocity to meet everyone’s needs. It is not an alternative to systems change, but a way of supporting each other while we working to change unjust systems.

We see Mutual Aid as one model of giving within a broader ecosystem, each of which serves a specific purpose in our current system, as we transform the new economy…

Charity

Charity often involves philanthropic acts directed by individuals or organisations to address specific issues or provide aid to those in need. It typically operates through donations of items or funds aiming to alleviate immediate hardships. While charitable acts can be impactful, they sometimes maintain power imbalances and lack sustained systemic change.

Gift Economy

The gift economy revolves around the concept of giving without the expectation of immediate return. It’s based on the idea of circulating goods, services, or resources through voluntary contributions, creating networks of reciprocal generosity. In this model, relationships are valued over transactions, fostering connections within communities.

Peer-to-Peer Support

Crowdfunding platforms and peer-to-peer support systems leverage technology to enable individuals to support causes or individuals directly. These platforms allow for collective contributions, enabling people worldwide to assist others facing financial, medical, or other challenges.

There are already many great organisations and platforms utilising charity, gift economy, and peer-to-peer support models, but there is a lack of mutual aid, which is where Mutual Aid Australia comes in.
What is Mutual Aid Australia's governance structure
Mutual Aid Australia will be governed using a sociocracy model, with a board of directors at the centre (as legally required for all cooperative businesses in Australia).

Sociocracy is a governance and decision-making system designed to foster more inclusive and efficient organisational structures. It emphasises equal participation, transparency, and collaborative decision-making within groups or communities. Originating from the work of Gerard Endenburg in the 1970s, sociocracy aims to create more dynamic and responsive organisations by distributing power among all members.

Key principles of sociocracy include:
1. Consent Decision-Making: Instead of relying on consensus (full agreement), sociocracy uses a consent-based approach where decisions move forward if no one has reasoned objections that cannot be resolved. This method accelerates decision-making while ensuring concerns are heard and addressed.
2. Circle Structure: Organisations utilising sociocracy often organise into circles or semi-autonomous teams, each with its defined roles, responsibilities, and decision-making authority. Circles operate semi-independently while remaining interconnected within the larger organisation.
3. Double-Linking: Circles are interconnected through double links, where members from one circle participate in another’s meetings to ensure information flow and alignment of decisions between circles.
4. Continuous Improvement: Sociocracy encourages a continuous feedback loop and adaptability. Regular evaluation and adjustments help improve processes, policies, and decision-making structures over time.
5. Election by Consent: Leaders or representatives within circles are elected based on consent rather than popular vote, ensuring that members are comfortable and supportive of those assuming leadership roles.