In what industries can co-operatives in Australia be found?
Co-operatives can be found in most industries in Australia. The largest number of co-operatives are in the recreation and gambling clubs industry – bowling clubs, returned servicemen’s clubs, ski lodges, etc. There are also significant numbers of housing co-operatives, school co-operatives (especially in Victoria), childcare and other residential care service co-operatives, and small retailing co-operatives. According to a simplified classification of co-operatives developed by ACCORD, around 35% of co-operatives in NSW are Culture & Recreation co-operatives (such as clubs and ski lodges and over 20% are providing human services (such as housing, aged care and childcare services). Consumer co-operatives constitute about 10% of the sector while primary producer co-operatives form another 12% of the sector. This distribution of numbers does not reflect the distribution of turnover. Primary Producer co-operatives generate 85% of all turnover of the sector. Generally, co-operatives form on
