Environmental, Social & Governance

Make-A-Wish Australia’s values (child-focus, integrity, impact, innovation and community) reflect the social contract that exists for our organisation and provides us with the licence to seek corporate and individual donations (on a tax deductible basis) towards our mission.

Make-A-Wish Australia (MAW) acknowledges that this social contract requires us to serve the community in a manner that aligns with our values. We are aware of the importance and the impact that our organisation can have on the environment, on society and on the needs of the present and future generations and we are committed to playing our role in helping achieve a sustainable world for our wish children, volunteers, employees, and their families.

This understanding underpins the rationale for the establishment of our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Framework, which was approved by the CEO and Board in October 2025.

This Framework formalises our commitment to serving the community responsibly, fostering trust with stakeholders, and maximising the positive impact of our mission.

The Framework applies to all MAW staff, volunteers, consultants and contractors. MAW may also refer to this Framework when engaging with external suppliers, partners and supporters.

Broadly, Make-A-Wish Australia has a values driven approach to operations, partnerships and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on child safety, inclusion and ethical conduct.

Consistent with the approach taken by Make-A-Wish International, our ESG priorities are aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals created by the United Nations. Our ESG objectives also reflect the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These principles were endorsed by the Australian Government in September 2015.

Make-A-Wish Australia has identified four of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which underpin our focus for environmental, social and governance impact for today and the future.

SDG3: Good Health & Wellbeing

At Make-A-Wish Australia, our mission reflects Positive Psychology principles, with a focus on building self-efficacy, resilience and supporting critically ill children to experience a life lived to the fullest through a wish. The experience of a wish is designed to provide much needed hope and joy, creating lasting memories for the child and their families, enhancing emotional and psychological wellbeing of children and families.

SDG5: Gender Equality

Make-A-Wish Australia is committed to supporting a diverse Wish Force which includes our partners, suppliers, beneficiaries, volunteer and employee community. We strongly believe that taking a proactive approach to strengthening the diversity, inclusion and equality of the organisation facilitates a creative, innovative and effective environment that embraces different life experiences, and this commitment is reflected in our policy positions and underscored by a dedication to an always learning environment.

SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Make-A-Wish Australia aims to be an effective, accountable and inclusive organisation at all levels. Policies and strategies implemented to achieve that include our Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, Whistleblower Policy, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals

Make-A-Wish Australia strives to build impactful partnerships with organisations and individuals across the community who share our commitment to supporting critically ill children and their families and can help support us to generate funds to fulfil our mission and increase awareness for our important work.

Further, Make-A-Wish Australia seeks to leverage technology and innovation responsibly to scale our operations, and work as efficiently as possible to enable us to reach more children and create a greater community impact.

SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Make-A-Wish Australia acknowledges that in delivering its mission to grant the wishes of critically ill children, there may be some unavoidable travel requirements or consumable goods or services delivered that do carry a modest environmental footprint.

As an overarching philosophy, Make-A-Wish Australia supports modern ESG practices. Whilst not formally aligning with SDG 8 and SDG 12 at this time, Make-A-Wish is committed to using its best endeavours to uphold fair, inclusive, and ethical work practices throughout our supply chain, and reducing our environmental footprint where practical. This includes within the scope of our resources and mission, wherever reasonable:

• Avoiding goods, services, partnerships and investments that do not reflect good corporate citizenship (through, by example, child labour, human rights concerns, discrimination, unlawful employment practices, or fraud or corruption).
• Seeking to understand and monitor the selection and use of products and materials that may contribute to deforestation, pollution, or destruction of natural habitats and wildlife ecosystems.
• Supporting decent work principles by encouraging safe, respectful, and inclusive environments for workers throughout our supplier network.