Are you interested in starting your own business? Or, are you from a community that would like some economic development support? Whatever your question, we would love to hear from you.
The form below is for general enquiries. If your enquiry is about help to start or continue a business please use the form here.
Phone: 1300 MANY RIVERS (or 1300 626 974)
Work With Us
Join a team making a difference helping people experiencing individual and structural disadvantage in Australia. Many Rivers is a not-for-profit organisation that supports aspiring business owners with Microenterprise Development coaching and access to finance to see the potential of people and communities realised.
Our purpose is to walk alongside individuals and communities over the long term, offering accessible business development support, to help people move away from welfare dependency, provide for their families and contribute more productively to society. We operate all over Australia with a special focus on Indigenous Australians.
How to apply
Working for Many Rivers means making a difference to the community and people experiencing disadvantage. Our day to day work is driven by the purpose to help Australians in need, by supporting them create opportunities to participate in the economy.We are looking for compassionate people with the passion and drive to commit themselves to a challenging and rewarding role.
Current vacancies
Microenterprise Development Manager – Port Hedland WA, Central West NSW, Darwin NT
Finance and Operations Support – Grafton NSW
Community Economic Development Manager – Hobart or Launceston TAS
To submit your application for future opportunities or for any questions please contact:
[email protected]
COVID-19 Engagement Plan
(Updated as at 25 September 2020)
Many Rivers recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency. All actions in respect of this are guided by expert health advice and the guiding principles for this Plan are based on the agreed measures implemented by the National Cabinet Process. We are similarly guided by the position of our client and communities and community cultural considerations.
Many Rivers COVID-19 Client and Community Engagement Plan is monitored by the Executive Team and internal subject matter experts to provide leadership and to ensure the timely transmission of information organisation wide.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and that of our clients and the communities that we engage and support are essential.
We have introduced greater work from home measures and increased infrastructure and technology that enables our remote and office-based teams to manage priorities according to client and community activity and to support any unscheduled personal or carer needs.
Many Rivers’ COVID-19 Register records potential changes in employees’ health and retains all CEO communication to colleagues. COVID-19 remains a topic of discussion and reflection in team meetings and in preparation for essential meetings with clients and communities. The Plan speaks to key considerations for our people (remote and office based) and our client and communities.
How are we implementing the COVID-19 Client and Community Engagement Plan?
Our People
- Monitor and reflect on own self, health and general wellbeing; stay home if unwell and seek medical attention
- Office based colleagues observe and follow revised hygiene practises and updated office procedures
- No face-face client or referrer meetings are permitted if the team member has been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or has been in contact with a recently returned traveller; 14-day self-isolation measure must follow, and this circumstance must be reported to the Team Leader
- Check the advice from the authorities in the community of the region where travel is planned and follow the Plans and any Government directives
- If travelling via another form of transport, observe all provider’s guidelines and any local community plans
- Prepare an agenda/points of discussion for the meeting to ensure meeting is run efficiently and to limit meeting time to requirement; consider emailing meeting information (where possible) ahead of the meeting to enable reading time for the participant/s
- Contact client or community ahead of the scheduled meeting date and time and check on their generalhealth and wellbeing confirming that they are well enough to accept your visit
- Before leaving home ensure your vehicle has been thoroughly cleaned, equipped with tissues, hand sanitiser and water
- Where accommodation is required, review, understand and observe all COVID-19 Plans and measures in place for that business before leaving home
- Maintain a minimum 1.5 metres social distance recommendation from all members of public
- Avoid touching your face and touching surfaces unnecessarily
- Take increased care when accessing public amenities and employ diligent hygiene practices
- Face-face meetings should take place in a public area or where in a specified area, ensure that you follow their COVID-19 Plan
- On arrival at destination; repeat hygiene practices before meeting with client and then at completion of meeting
- If an exchange of documents is required at a meeting, please ensure that hand hygiene practices are followed before and after any exchange
- Responsibly dispose of all rubbish always
- Ensure interaction, including time, date, attendee details and specific location of meeting are recorded; Microenterprise Development Managers use the Compass Client Management System. Community Economic Development Managers record meeting with the community in the CEDM Travel Schedule
- Limit meeting attendance according to Government prescribed numbers for public gatherings
- The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has published risk management planning and health protocols to support safe travel to remote Many Rivers team members based in Victoria, South East Queensland and NSW are encouraged to observe these guidelines ahead of any planned travel to remote communities. The information is available here.
For Team Leaders
- Inform CEO or Head of Organisational & People Development about a team member’s possible exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 or if the team member has confirmed that they have contracted the virus
- Direct team member to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms or become worried about their health
Key Resources
- Primary Care – Central Patient COVID-19 Triage Hotline –1800 020 080
- Safework NSW
- National Indigenous Australians Agency Department of Health
Feedback & Complaints
We are constantly looking at ways to improve our service. Please contact us at [email protected] or phone 1300 MANYRIVERS (1300 626 974), Monday to Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm (Sydney time) with your comments or complaint.
The complaints review process
Our aim is to resolve your complaint within a maximum of 5 working days. If we need some additional time, we will let you know. If you remain unhappy with the outcome, then please feel free to contact your Many Rivers Client Advocate, Britta Zimmermann. Britta will then become your primary contact, and will support you in resolving your complaint.
Your Client Advocate
The role of the Client Advocate is to provide an independent review of the outcome of your complaint. The Client Advocate is an independent member of the Many Rivers Leadership Group. If you choose to contact the Client Advocate, you can still refer your complaint to an external dispute resolution scheme if you remain dissatisfied.
The Client Advocate can be contacted at:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Client Advocate, Level 2, 233 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
Please include the following information in your correspondence to the Customer Advocate:
- Your complaint reference number
- Your preferred contact details
- A brief description of your complaint
If you remain dissatisfied following contact with the Many Rivers Client Advocate you can still refer your complaint to the external dispute resolution scheme, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA is not part of Many Rivers and provide a free and independent service to resolve complaints by consumers and small businesses about financial firms (e.g. credit providers), where that complaint falls within AFCA’s terms of reference.
Australian Financial Complaints Authority
Online: www.afca.org.au
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 931 678 (free call)
Post: Australian Financial Complaints Authority, GPO Box 3, Melbourne VIC 3001.
Donate to Many Rivers
Tax deductible donations (over $2) can be made via: direct deposit, credit card or Paypal.
Direct Deposit
Bank: Westpac
Account name: Many Rivers – Development Fund
BSB: 032 005
Account No: 562308
Reference: Your name
Credit Card or Paypal
Thank You for your support
Our Locations
Many Rivers currently has 38 Microenterprise Development Managers (MED) and 9 Community Economic Development Managers (CED) around the country. Each team member covers a wide region which means that we can support business owners all across Australia.
Join a team making a difference helping people experiencing individual and structural disadvantage in Australia. Many Rivers is a not-for-profit organisation that supports aspiring business owners with Microenterprise Development coaching and access to finance to see the potential of people and communities realised.
Our purpose is to walk alongside individuals and communities over the long term, offering accessible business development support, to help people move away from welfare dependency, provide for their families and contribute more productively to society. We operate all over Australia with a special focus on Indigenous Australians.
How to apply
Working for Many Rivers means making a difference to the community and people experiencing disadvantage. Our day to day work is driven by the purpose to help Australians in need, by supporting them create opportunities to participate in the economy.We are looking for compassionate people with the passion and drive to commit themselves to a challenging and rewarding role.
Current vacancies
Microenterprise Development Manager – Port Hedland WA, Central West NSW, Darwin NT
Finance and Operations Support – Grafton NSW
Community Economic Development Manager – Hobart or Launceston TAS
To submit your application for future opportunities or for any questions please contact:
[email protected]
(Updated as at 25 September 2020)
Many Rivers recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency. All actions in respect of this are guided by expert health advice and the guiding principles for this Plan are based on the agreed measures implemented by the National Cabinet Process. We are similarly guided by the position of our client and communities and community cultural considerations.
Many Rivers COVID-19 Client and Community Engagement Plan is monitored by the Executive Team and internal subject matter experts to provide leadership and to ensure the timely transmission of information organisation wide.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and that of our clients and the communities that we engage and support are essential.
We have introduced greater work from home measures and increased infrastructure and technology that enables our remote and office-based teams to manage priorities according to client and community activity and to support any unscheduled personal or carer needs.
Many Rivers’ COVID-19 Register records potential changes in employees’ health and retains all CEO communication to colleagues. COVID-19 remains a topic of discussion and reflection in team meetings and in preparation for essential meetings with clients and communities. The Plan speaks to key considerations for our people (remote and office based) and our client and communities.
How are we implementing the COVID-19 Client and Community Engagement Plan?
Our People
- Monitor and reflect on own self, health and general wellbeing; stay home if unwell and seek medical attention
- Office based colleagues observe and follow revised hygiene practises and updated office procedures
- No face-face client or referrer meetings are permitted if the team member has been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or has been in contact with a recently returned traveller; 14-day self-isolation measure must follow, and this circumstance must be reported to the Team Leader
- Check the advice from the authorities in the community of the region where travel is planned and follow the Plans and any Government directives
- If travelling via another form of transport, observe all provider’s guidelines and any local community plans
- Prepare an agenda/points of discussion for the meeting to ensure meeting is run efficiently and to limit meeting time to requirement; consider emailing meeting information (where possible) ahead of the meeting to enable reading time for the participant/s
- Contact client or community ahead of the scheduled meeting date and time and check on their generalhealth and wellbeing confirming that they are well enough to accept your visit
- Before leaving home ensure your vehicle has been thoroughly cleaned, equipped with tissues, hand sanitiser and water
- Where accommodation is required, review, understand and observe all COVID-19 Plans and measures in place for that business before leaving home
- Maintain a minimum 1.5 metres social distance recommendation from all members of public
- Avoid touching your face and touching surfaces unnecessarily
- Take increased care when accessing public amenities and employ diligent hygiene practices
- Face-face meetings should take place in a public area or where in a specified area, ensure that you follow their COVID-19 Plan
- On arrival at destination; repeat hygiene practices before meeting with client and then at completion of meeting
- If an exchange of documents is required at a meeting, please ensure that hand hygiene practices are followed before and after any exchange
- Responsibly dispose of all rubbish always
- Ensure interaction, including time, date, attendee details and specific location of meeting are recorded; Microenterprise Development Managers use the Compass Client Management System. Community Economic Development Managers record meeting with the community in the CEDM Travel Schedule
- Limit meeting attendance according to Government prescribed numbers for public gatherings
- The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has published risk management planning and health protocols to support safe travel to remote Many Rivers team members based in Victoria, South East Queensland and NSW are encouraged to observe these guidelines ahead of any planned travel to remote communities. The information is available here.
For Team Leaders
- Inform CEO or Head of Organisational & People Development about a team member’s possible exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 or if the team member has confirmed that they have contracted the virus
- Direct team member to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms or become worried about their health
Key Resources
- Primary Care – Central Patient COVID-19 Triage Hotline –1800 020 080
- Safework NSW
- National Indigenous Australians Agency Department of Health
We are constantly looking at ways to improve our service. Please contact us at [email protected] or phone 1300 MANYRIVERS (1300 626 974), Monday to Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm (Sydney time) with your comments or complaint.
The complaints review process
Our aim is to resolve your complaint within a maximum of 5 working days. If we need some additional time, we will let you know. If you remain unhappy with the outcome, then please feel free to contact your Many Rivers Client Advocate, Britta Zimmermann. Britta will then become your primary contact, and will support you in resolving your complaint.
Your Client Advocate
The role of the Client Advocate is to provide an independent review of the outcome of your complaint. The Client Advocate is an independent member of the Many Rivers Leadership Group. If you choose to contact the Client Advocate, you can still refer your complaint to an external dispute resolution scheme if you remain dissatisfied.
The Client Advocate can be contacted at:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Client Advocate, Level 2, 233 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
Please include the following information in your correspondence to the Customer Advocate:
- Your complaint reference number
- Your preferred contact details
- A brief description of your complaint
If you remain dissatisfied following contact with the Many Rivers Client Advocate you can still refer your complaint to the external dispute resolution scheme, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA is not part of Many Rivers and provide a free and independent service to resolve complaints by consumers and small businesses about financial firms (e.g. credit providers), where that complaint falls within AFCA’s terms of reference.
Australian Financial Complaints Authority
Online: www.afca.org.au
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 931 678 (free call)
Post: Australian Financial Complaints Authority, GPO Box 3, Melbourne VIC 3001.
Tax deductible donations (over $2) can be made via: direct deposit, credit card or Paypal.
Direct Deposit
Bank: Westpac
Account name: Many Rivers – Development Fund
BSB: 032 005
Account No: 562308
Reference: Your name
Credit Card or Paypal
Thank You for your support
Many Rivers currently has 38 Microenterprise Development Managers (MED) and 9 Community Economic Development Managers (CED) around the country. Each team member covers a wide region which means that we can support business owners all across Australia.
