Where to buy face masks from Australian small businesses
This is how you can support small Aussie businesses during the pandemic.
As the demand for face masks rises and wearing them becomes the new norm, you've got to know where to buy them online. In this list, we've highlighted small businesses across Australia that sell face masks. Stock levels have been checked, but if something does sell out, it's likely they will be placed on pre-order.
New South Wales
Breathe Easy Australia
Breathe Easy Australia is an Australian-owned company based in Newcastle. The brand offers shipping all over the country. So, as soon as the Newcastle warehouse receives stock, it's sent out all across Australia.
Clear Collective
Clear Collective is home to Australian-made face masks for adults, teens and kids. The team may be based in Sydney, but that's not where the story started.
The family behind the brand owned a property in Bilpin, New South Wales and fought hard against bushfires for many years. The fluctuating pollution and smoke levels is what led to the production of face masks, and now thanks to COVID-19, the cause of business has changed direction and is now booming.
Victoria
The Social Studio
The Social Studio is not your stock standard small business – it's a rather unique business model. It's a combination of an RMIT-accredited school, an ethical production studio and a sustainable fashion store. Each one of these initiatives works to empower migrant and refugee youth with either practical opportunities or funding.
The not-for-profit social enterprise is based in Collingwood and has been working hard to shift focus and produce face masks, alongside medical scrubs.
SisterWorks
SisterWorks is a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Melbourne. While you can currently shop a variety of reusable and washable face masks, that's not what it always used to be.
SisterWorks' mission is to support refugees, asylum seekers or migrants (particularly women) by providing them with work and entrepreneurship. Why? Because all women should be given the opportunity to feel economically empowered.
Obus
Obus is an Aussie womenswear label that has started to produce up to 500 reusable face masks per week. The adult and kid sized masks are made from existing clothing materials from the Melbourne warehouse.
The face mask incorporates two layers of breathable materials, with an added third layer of a water-resistant polyester fabric.
Brisbane
K-Lee Designs
K-Lee Designs is a Brisbane-based manufacturing company that has been in operation since 1988. The brand is familiar with activewear, dance-wear, swimwear and more, but now, you can shop Australian-made face masks that are made to order.
Gail Sorronda
Gail Sorronda is a Brisbane-based fashion designer that has added face masks to her usual womenswear line. Made in the "clean and sterile" studio in Brisbane, the double-layer cotton masks are available in black and white, with a range of sizes.
South Australia
Hey Reflect'O
Hey Reflect'O is where you can find Australian-made reflective face masks, alongside other prints and designs.
The brand is based in Adelaide and this is where the masks are designed and made, providing jobs locally and using eco-friendly materials. Hey Reflect'O hasn't always been producing face masks, it's actually where you can find an array of reflective vests, specially made for cyclists.
Finder is keen to include small businesses from all over the country. If we've missed a state or territory, it's because we couldn't find any online. If you do know of any, let us know in the comments or via chat.
More face masks guides and news
Image: Getty Images
