Employee and Community Ownership Hub
Accelerating the growth of alternative ownership models in Australia by connecting practitioners, researchers, advisors and curious minds in a collaborative learning environment.
About ECOH
The Employee and Community Ownership Hub (ECOH) exists to accelerate the growth of alternative ownership models in Australia by connecting practitioners, researchers, advisors and curious minds in a collaborative learning environment.
We bring together diverse stakeholders to explore, advance and implement employee and community ownership structures that create more equitable, resilient and purposeful enterprises.
Through knowledge sharing, relationship building and collaborative research, we seek to elevate alternative ownership models from niche to mainstream consideration in Australian business.
ECOH serves as both a catalyst for learning and a platform for action by cultivating the expertise, networks and resources needed to transform how ownership is structured and experienced across Australian workplaces and communities.
Our Mission
- To create accessible learning opportunities about employee and community ownership models
- To foster meaningful connections between practitioners, advisors, researchers and interested parties
- To develop and disseminate evidence-based resources on ownership alternatives in the Australian context
- To cultivate a supportive ecosystem that enables the growth of employee and community-owned enterprises
- To inform policy development through collaborative research and practical insights
ECOH White Paper
Employee and Community Ownership in Australia
Expected Release: April 2026
We are developing a comprehensive white paper that captures insights and learnings from our 2025 Community of Practice sessions. This advocacy paper makes the case for employee and community ownership as underutilised tools for business succession and worker wealth-building in Australia.
The white paper will cover:
- Australia's ownership opportunity — the succession challenge and why ownership structure matters
- What works — practical models including EOTs, worker cooperatives, and community ownership structures
- Australian voices — case studies and insights from practitioners across the country
- Barriers holding Australia back — regulatory, tax, and knowledge gaps
- International lessons — what other countries are doing (UK, US, Canada, Denmark)
- The path forward — concrete recommendations for government, advisors, and business owners
The paper is authored by practitioners, researchers, and advocates who have participated in ECOH sessions. It presents substantial evidence while acknowledging we are not neutral observers — we want to see more employee and community-owned businesses in Australia, and we want government policy to make that easier.
We welcome your interest in this work. If you'd like to stay informed about the white paper's release or contribute insights, please get in touch.
Our Focus Areas
Employee Ownership
EOTs, employee share schemes, worker cooperatives
Community Ownership
Cooperatives, mutual organisations, community enterprises
Producer & Consumer Models
Producer and consumer ownership structures
Steward Ownership
Steward ownership frameworks
Democratic Governance
Governance practices that support democratic participation and shared decision-making
Business Succession
Business succession planning through alternative ownership models
Our Approach
ECOH operates as a collaborative community of practice, bringing together diverse perspectives while maintaining a balance between community-building and creating opportunities for practical implementation. We embrace systems thinking to understand the complex relationships between ownership structures, governance, and economic outcomes.
Stewardship & Research
ECOH is stewarded by RMIT FORWARD (The Centre for Future Skills and Workforce Transformation), Co-operative Bonds, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) and Employee Ownership Australia (EOA).
This collaboration brings together complementary expertise in academic research, practitioner knowledge, and industry advocacy.
Research Agenda
RMIT FORWARD is developing a research agenda focused on the Australian context, drawing directly from the insights, experiences and knowledge shared by the ECOH community. This research will culminate in a white paper examining:
- The current state of employee and community ownership in Australia
- International comparisons
- Economic impact potential
- The skills required to implement these models effectively
Through this collaborative approach to knowledge generation, ECOH aims to develop an evidence base that supports advocacy, informs policy development, and provides practical guidance for those seeking to implement alternative ownership structures.
Contact
For more information about ECOH, contact: