Blueline Laundry is a registered charity whose purpose is to create meaningful employment opportunities for people facing significant barriers to employment such as disability, migrant and refugee heritage and marginalisation within the community. Blueline Laundry are a professional commercial laundry continually striving to deliver the highest quality linen service to their clients right across Tasmania. Blueline believe their commercial operation is what enables them to achieve their purpose.

Founded in 1893 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to provide employment for disadvantaged women and young girls, 130 years later, the essence of this mission continues with a focus toward supporting people with a disability, migrants and those who have experienced trauma. Blueline overall strives to enhance people’s lives and build resilience by providing rewarding career opportunities for those who are marginalised from mainstream employment.

The state-wide workforce of 240 Tasmanians represents demographic groups at risk of poor outcomes in health, education, discrimination, and marginalisation from mainstream employment.

• 35% of the workforce are people working with a disability.
• 35% are culturally diverse, representing 26 different nationalities and multiple languages.
• 52% are female.
• Over 80% are minimum wage earners.
• 30% are casual employees.

The Blueline workforce represents several inter-sectional groups associated with traditionally poor outcomes in health, employment, discrimination, and marginalisation. Many employees have a background of intergenerational hardship, or are people who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma. Blueline operates under contemporary management and leadership as a social enterprise for good, and in the supported workforce environment.

Blueline uses its social enterprise to support other charities within the community such as Ronald McDonald House, St Giles Safe Haven Hub, St Vincent Industries and Colony 47. In line with their stated Purpose, Blueline prioritises labour over automation to create jobs. As a result, Blueline employs approximately 3 times more people than a for-profit laundry of equivalent size.

In an ever increasing automated and price sensitive commercial environment, Blueline Laundry has continued to maintain it’s charitable purpose through the operation of two commercial laundries, one in Hobart and one in Launceston. Blueline services the healthcare (including the major public and private hospitals), aged care, hospitality, tourism, and other industries across Tasmania.

To find out more about The Blueline Laundry, visit blueline-laundry.com