Positively impacting people, places, profit & planet

As a certified BCorp (one of the most rigorous social and environmental certifications in the world), we are a leader in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. We deliver benefits to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
Carbon Neutral
We measure our carbon footprint, reduce emissions through energy-efficient practices, and offset the rest through Gold Standard Carbon Offsets.
We Donate 50% of Net Profits to Charity
Did you know? If you earn $50k per year, you're in the richest 1% of the world.
We help those less fortunate, and tackle shared issues, by donating to effective charities.
We choose those charities by drawing on the principles of Effective Altruism and stakeholder inclusivity.

We Plant Two Native Trees for Every Job

The trees are planted on degraded farmland through the Carbon Neutral’s Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor Plant-a-Tree Program.
Our Achievements
Austep is a purpose led company driving the massive global shift towards net zero, and social enterprise.
We help organisations reduce energy waste and carbon emissions, make buildings more healthy and comfortable, employ inclusive governance, and donate 50% of profits to charity. We envision a future where buildings are lit, heated and cooled with the utmost efficiency and minimal power consumption.
We disrupt traditional models of obsolesce and resource waste, through long-lasting repairable and energy-efficient smart products that reduce maintenance and landfill, demand-side energy reduction, integrative design, and positive impact business practises.
- Donating 50% of profits to charity
- Donating lights to non-profits
- One Percent for Planet certification
- BCorp certification
- Planting 2 native trees for every job
- Local employment and up-skilling
- Ensuring 80% of catering is plant-based
- Carbon negative operations (measure, reduce, and offset)
- Purchasing Gold Standard VER carbon offsets (after first measuring and reducing)
- Tracking KPI’s e.g. # of trees planted, kWh reduced, $ donated , tonnes of CO2e reduced, $ saved for clients
- Making clients proud of sustainability after project (“commitment and consistency” / “action before attitude”)
- Using company voice to raise awareness on social and environmental issues
- Educating staff on sustainability including Positive Impact handbook
- Using banks divested from fossil fuels
- Using insurance companies divested from fossil fuels
- Asking staff and clients to vote on which charities we donate to
- Monitoring customer outcomes
- Reviewing customer satisfaction and feedback
- Sharing financial performance with staff
- Use recycled office and toilet paper
- Minimise and recycle waste in our office
- Recycle fluorescents on our jobs
- Recycle cardboard on our jobs
- Recycle metal on our jobs
- Use re-usable wares for catering
- Use recycled paper for promo materials
- Use re-usable cups for staff
- Use biodegradable pallet wrap and tape
- Insulated both our office locations
- Installed solar on our Capalaba office
- We purchase 100% green power for our Capalaba office
- We use LED lights in our offices
- We use proper daylight harvesting lighting in our warehouse (dims up and down based on sunlight)
- We use motion sensor lights in our warehouse
- We limit air travel to one flight per year per staff max
- We set HVAC to > 24 in summer
- We sealed the thermal envelope of our office
- We installed a hot water timer so our hot water acts as thermal storage and heats via PV
- We switch off IT equipment and appliances when not in use
- We work from home at least 50% of the time to limit transport emissions
- Our primary vehicle fleet is Hybrid (soon to be electric!)
- We installed smart HVAC controls to limit setpoint
- Using sea freight for > 80% of imports
- Ensuring > 80% of products we sell have > 5yr warranty
- Ensuring most products we sell have replaceable parts
- Specifying motion/daylight sensor products for low-use areas
- Prioritising products with minimal plastic packaging
- Prioritising suppliers with ESG focus
- Offering paid volunteering for staff
- Offering professional development for staff
- Offering financial literacy training to staff
- Offering free meditation and yoga to staff
- Revenue based bonuses for staff
- Limiting the difference between lowest and highest paid staff
- Keeping safety incident records and implement preventative measures
- Giving massage vouchers to staff
- Ability to work from home more than 50% of the time if preferred
- Developing Professional Development plans for our staff for career advancement
- Exposing our staff to new areas for career advancement
- Giving staff a budget to purchase home office plants