Who We Are

Boronia Brew is just one of the many businesses owned and operated by HELP. We’re a Social Enterprise on a mission to make the world a more inclusive place for everyone. For our cafes, that starts with one coffee at a time. For over 50 years HELP has been developing Social Enterprise businesses across the manufacturing, hospitality, and horticultural industries to provide more inclusive employment opportunities for people with disability in SEQ.

What We Do

We help people with disability learn new skills, make important social connections, and build independence. Boronia Brew provides people with disability a safe and supported environment where they can work towards their NDIS goals.

We make great coffee and have a selection of take-away and dine-in food options for neighbouring businesses, visitors, and students. We also contribute to the precinct by offering:

• Catering services
• Meeting areas, functions, and workspaces
• Upskilling and preparing staff for employment within the wider hospitality industry.

What is a Social Enterprise?

A Social Enterprise is a business or organisation that reinvests or donates their profits to create positive social change. In our case, that means:

• Providing employment opportunities and skill development for people with disability
• Promoting the benefits of an integrated workforce.

Where do your profits go?

All profits from Boronia Brew are reinvested into the continued development of our disability care and employment services. This includes additional staffing, expansion into new industries and sites, the development of new programs, and training opportunities.

How is Boronia Brew staffed?

Boronia Brew is a team effort, staffed by the Brew Crew – a mix of supported employees and hospitality industry professionals. At any one time, you’ll find a Barista behind the coffee machine, and one or more supported employees helping with coffees and customer service. While we aim to have a supported employee working at all times, their shifts may be different due to transport and support requirements.

There are currently 10 supported members (and counting) of HELP’s Brew Crew who work across our 3 cafes, Boronia Brew, Fison Food Factory, and Goodwill Brew. Supported employees have on-the-job support at all times ensuring a safe and supportive work environment for them to connect, learn and grow. Supported employees discuss their goals with the support team before commencing work in the Brew Crew to ensure the tasks they are doing align with their goals. Our Barista and the supported employees making coffee are trained by our roasters at Wolff.

What skills can people with disability learn working at Boronia Brew?

Team members can learn everything from money handling, customer service, and making coffee, to appropriate workplace behaviour, communication, and time management.

The individual requirements of each team member are determined with the help of our support team so we can ensure everyone has the right tools to develop their skills and reach their goals.

Why did HELP set up a cafe at Brisbane Airport?

HELP was approached by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) to establish the Boronia Brew in the Da Vinci Business Park. BAC’s goal was to enhance the amenity for the 24,000 people who work across the BNE precinct, including students attending the nearby aviation schools. This Social Enterprise partnership is one of many ways that BAC gives back to the Brisbane community.

When does Boronia Brew officially open?

Boronia Brew unofficially opened on the 9th of January 2023. We used this ‘soft-launch’ period to transition and train our team members with disability to ensure they felt confident and happy on the job. Our official launch is on the 2nd of March 2023.

Where is Boronia Brew?

Boronia Brew is located at 20 Boronia Road in the Da Vinci Precinct at Brisbane Airport. It is next to the Aviation Australia and Thales CareFlight Simulation Centre. The Aviation School bus stop for Brisbane City Council route 590 is right on our doorstep, making it easy for staff and customers to access via public transport.

Is there parking at Boronia Brew?

Yes, there is an off-site visitor car park.

What beans do you use/what roaster do you use?

Boronia Brew proudly pours Wolff coffee. HELP and Wolff have two things in common – we both strive to make a constructive contribution to our community and promote a caring, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.

How can I work at Boronia Brew?

Want to join the Brew Crew? Simply contact our friendly team on 1800 877 545 to find out more, or visit our hospitality jobs page.

You can read more about other HELP social enterprise businesses below:

• Goodwill Brew
• Oxford Park Nursery
• Help Manufacturing
• Supply Chain Services

How do I connect with Boronia Brew?

You can follow our journey here: @boroniabrew

History of HELP

HELP is a Social Enterprise, committed to enhancing the lifestyle, independence, and ambitions of people with disability. Since our inception in 1968 HELP has grown from a single workshop to a network of over 60 sites stretching right across South East Queensland (SEQ) and beyond. HELP is now one of the state’s leading providers of disability care and employment services. Our mission is to support and empower people with disability so that they can live their best life, unrestricted and encouraged to achieve anything they set their mind to.

What is Supported Employment?

Supported Employment is employment specifically tailored to support people with disability. It provides extra support at work, creating an inclusive workplace that caters to, and celebrates peoples diverse abilities.

Supported Employment can help people with disability:

• Learn new skills (for work and life)
• Build confidence and self esteem
• Become more independent
• Earn their own money
• Explore new industries and areas of interest
• Meet new people and make lifelong friends
• Upskill for Open Employment

Do supported employees receive a wage/salary?

Our supported employees and Baristas are all paid under the relevant awards.

Supported employee wages are often supplemented by the Disability Support Pension (DSP). Supported employees usually continue to receive DSP even if they are working in supported employment. Our ambition is to help our supported team members build skills to transition into open employment over time.