Purpose-Driven Labour Hire and Zero Waste Services

THE HARD WORK’S ON US

Green Yakka helps councils and businesses in Sydney and the Illawarra get the job done, meet sustainability goals and make a real impact.

Through practical, reliable services, we tackle waste, care for the land and create job pathways for people who deserve a fair go.

Young worker looking towards the viewer and smiling

WHO WE ARE

Green Yakka is a not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity.

We deliver purpose-driven labour hire and zero waste services in Sydney and the Illawarra – as part of national not-for-profit Community Resources.    

Now a dedicated brand, Green Yakka builds on more than 10 years of impact with Illawarra social enterprise Green Connect.

OUR PURPOSE

Every job, a fair go for someone who needs it.

We create job pathways for people who face barriers to employment. People who deserve a fair go.

People thriving in steady, meaningful work.

Through our Work Readiness Program and hands-on work, we help people build the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive.

Work that tackles waste and cares for the land.

By partnering with businesses and organisations, we turn every job into an opportunity to do good – for people, communities and Country.  

OUR IMPACT

Financial Year 2025

0

Employment opportunities provided

0%

of our staff have experienced barriers to work

0

Training and development outcomes provided

Green Yakka  reflects our belief that the work itself is the opportunity.  Every job is a chance to do good and build something better – for people,  communities and Country.

WHAT’S IN THE NAME?

Green speaks to our purpose.  

As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we create job pathways for people who face barriers to employment. Through training and hands-on work that tackles waste and cares for the land, we help them build the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive. It’s also a nod to our roots, continuing more than a decade of impact as part of Illawarra social enterprise Green Connect.    

Yakka comes from yaga, meaning ‘work’ in the Yuggera language (also written as Yugara, Jagara, Jagera, and other variants), traditionally spoken by the Yuggera people of Meanjin (Brisbane).  

The word ’yakka’ fitted naturally into the rhythm and sound of Australian English – short, strong and distinctive. Over time, it became widely used informally to describe effort, resilience and honest, physical work. The kind our teams show up and do every day through our labour hire and zero waste services.   Our use of the word honours its Aboriginal origins and the cultural strength it carries.    