Our giving back culture

At Access, charity is at the core of our values and we offer a variety of initiatives that allow our team to give something back and make a difference. Each year, our employee community nominates a cause close to their hearts to become our local charity of the year. These charities receive fundraising in addition to other support from the business. For example, with every pound raised by our staff, Access doubles it. A true partnership in every sense.

Our people are also able to dedicate their time to give back to their local community or chosen cause with 3 extra days of leave to make this possible. The Access Foundation makes a real impact in our communities. Through this philanthropy, we support causes nominated by our team and work to bridge the digital divide.

Our global charity partners

Charity of the year

This year our chosen charities are the Children's Cancer Institute (Australia) and The Starship Foundation (New Zealand).

Children's Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to curing childhood cancer. As cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death in children, their research work is absolutely critical.

The Starship Foundation is the leading provider of paediatric healthcare in New Zealand and the South Pacific. The foundation delivers family-centred care to infants, children, young people, and their whānau both in hospital and community settings.

The Access Foundation

The Access Foundation was set up in 2021 following the success and growth enjoyed by The Access Group over the previous decade.

While affiliated with the company in terms of its identity, The Access Foundation is a separate organisation, governed by an independent board of trustees and with its own objectives and goals.

The foundation is focused on making a real difference to people’s lives by awarding grants to charities that make a valuable and measurable positive impact.

Find out more

Former Access charities of the year

2025: Beyond Blue and Mitey

Our local charity of the year for 2024-2025 was Beyond Blue in Australia and Mitey in New Zealand.

Beyond Blue is one of Australia’s most well-known, trusted, and visited mental health organizations. In Australia, 1 in 2 people will struggle with their mental health during their lifetime. The charity provides information and resources about the signs and symptoms to watch out for and where to find support.

Mitey, an initiative by the Sir John Kirwan Foundation is about turning New Zealand’s poor mental health statistics around by educating every child, about mental health. Mitey supports schools to deliver a research driven approach to mental health education for Years 1-8.

Find out more:

2024: SANE AU

For nearly 40 years, SANE has been standing up for and supporting people facing complex mental health challenges and stigma. SANE’s free national Support Line receives around 20,000 calls annually and is like no other, delivering hope, help, information and support to those affected and their families. We are the mental health organisation that helps bridge the gaps in the health system, offers community and calls you back. As a leading digital mental health organisation, our Support Line is number one for quality and safety as the first organisation to the pass the Australian standards for digital mental health.

SANE’s Support Line operates thanks to donations, but demand for the Support Line continues to escalate, with SANE’s highly qualified counsellors taking up to 20,000 calls per year. The Support Line provides hope and a pathway for people with complex mental health challenges and their families to seek appropriate help, and access other SANE services such as our guided service and online community Forums. With two in five Australians aged 16 – 85 experiencing a mental health disorder at some stage, and costs for psychological support and waiting lists continuing to rise, the Support Line remains an important source of vital support.

Fundraising will help keep our Support Line free and running to service a growing demand - currently at 20,000 people nationally.

Find out more

2023: Variety AU

Variety helps when others can't. Thanks to the support and generosity of our incredible community, Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT has helped give children the opportunity to live life more fully, regardless of ability or background.

The work we do gives children in NSW and ACT the opportunity to improve mobility, gain freedom and get involved in their community, where they can better communicate, achieve independence, and increase their self-esteem.

Families and organisations can turn to Variety – the Children’s Charity when government assistance isn’t available. Variety provides support through grants for children and families for things like:

Mobility equipment and wheelchairs.
Communication devices and education aides.
Scholarships in sport and the arts.
Therapy services, including occupational therapy and psychology.