Image: Our first employment program, Compuskill was established in a former primary school in Blackwood Street, Yarraville, back in 1986
This month marks 40 years since Opendoor officially began. It’s a significant moment to reflect on what has been achieved over four decades, recognise the people who have made it possible, and thank our staff, clients, partners and funders, who are carrying this work into the future.
Opendoor’s story began in the 1970s with the Westgate Baptist Community Church facilitating practical responses to growing unemployment in Melbourne’s west. It was formalised as the Westgate Community Initiatives Group in 1986, and in 2025 we were renamed Opendoor to reflect the work we do to help people find an open door to new possibilities.
Since our beginnings in church halls, we have grown into an independent, not-for-profit organisation that supports thousands of people who face barriers to employment each year. Today, we work across15 Opendoor sites in Melbourne, Geelong and Brisbane, and 3 Cleanable (our Social Enterprise) offices in Victoria and Queensland, and employ over 250 staff.
Our first official programs, launched back in 1986, were computer and hospitality training for jobseekers. Since then, we have delivered a wide range of programs from assisting jobseekers to start their own businesses, to employment services, social enterprises, early intervention programs for youth, disability services, allied health and training programs.
While our locations, funding and programs have evolved to reflect the needs at different times, our purpose has remained constant since the beginning–we have always existed to support people to live the life they want through meaningful employment, training and increased independence.
The last 40 years include significant dates, programs, milestones, and awards, but the heart of Opendoor is much bigger. It is thousands of individual stories–a person arriving at one of our hubs, unsure. One of our staff members listening, asking careful questions and working with them to build a plan that respects reality. It is skills learned, confidence returning, a job beginning, and a life expanding with opportunities.
‘We are as dedicated to this in 2026 as those who founded the organisation were 40 years ago’. Michael Noonan, Board Chair
The heart of Opendoor is also the caring staff, leaders and board; the incredible partners, the employers we have worked with and the generous funders, who have been involved at different points over the last four decades. As we celebrate 40 years, we take this opportunity to pause and say thank you to all who have played a role, and to those who are carrying our work into the future.
