The latest Socially Responsible Investing Benchmark report shows that SRI has grown dramatically over the past 12 months – rising to at least $13.9 billion from $10.5 billion only a year ago.

A consortium of four major charities purchases ABC Learning childcare centres.

The venture – Goodstart – is backed by the National Australia Bank and the Australian government. 

The Gillard government announces two new initiatives to provide support for social enterprise.

The Social Enterprise Development and Investment Fund (SEDIF) will provide funding assistance for the start up and expansion of social enterprises, while the Professional Partnership Project will connect social enterprises that enable disadvantaged people find jobs and training with advice and expertise from key professional service firms.

The NSW government announces a trial of two “social benefit bonds” (SBBs) to focus on improved social outcomes and reduced demand for future government services.

A federal government report suggests that the impact investment market in Australia is still in its early stages but shows great potential for growth.

Sir Ronald Cohen visits Australia to promote the work of the international Social Impact Investment Taskforce established by the G8.

Australia is the only country outside of the G8 invited to become a member of the taskforce.

Daniel Madhavan is appointed as the inaugural CEO of Impact Investing Australia – a newly established not for profit set up to develop the market for impact investing.

The NSW government becomes the first in Australia to launch a Social Impact Investment Policy and establish an Office of Social Impact Investment.

Superannuation fund HESTA commits $30 million to create an impact investment fund managed by SVA.

The Turnbull government voices its support for impact investment, as part of its far reaching response to the Financial System Inquiry.

The Impact Investing Australia 2016 Investor Report reveals investor demand for impact investment is expected to reach $18 billion over the next five years.

South Australia launches the country’s first homelessness social impact bond, which will support 600 people through a program focused on life skills and employment pathways.

SVA’s Diversified Impact Fund raises more than $10 million and reaches its first close sooner than expected.

Michael Lynch, executive director of SVA Impact Investing, says: “Impact investing is now being taken seriously as a way to generate social outcomes without taking a haircut on financial returns”. 

The government announces in the federal budget that it will work with Impact Investing Australia to look at ways to build the market to scale.

Rosemary Addis hands over the chair of Australian Advisory Board on Impact Investing.

She reflects on what’s happened in the sector since she first founded the organisation in 2013.

The Social Impact Investing Taskforce releases its interim report.

It says the federal government has a clear role to play in driving the nation’s impact investing market to benefit Australian communities.

Research shows the global impact investing market is continuing to mature despite the COVID-19 crisis and is now worth more than $1 trillion.