Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs See the potential in every child
Right now, 1 in 6 Australian children are living in poverty.
Every child deserves the chance to make the most of their education - but without the same opportunities to participate in class and learn as their peers, children can fall behind at school – and over time, that gap can grow.
Poverty can hold a child back from achieving their potential. It can affect confidence, connection to school and opportunities to learn.
It doesn’t change who they are, but it can limit what they believe they’re capable of.
At The Smith Family, we see the potential in every Australian child. And we know you do too.
Every child deserves the chance to make the most of their education - but without the same opportunities to participate in class and learn as their peers, children can fall behind at school – and over time, that gap can grow.
Poverty can hold a child back from achieving their potential. It can affect confidence, connection to school and opportunities to learn.
It doesn’t change who they are, but it can limit what they believe they’re capable of.
At The Smith Family, we see the potential in every Australian child. And we know you do too.
Meet Kelly
Growing up, Kelly felt the weight of financial disadvantage from an early age. Even though those worries weren’t hers to carry, she was deeply aware of the pressures on her family – and of how those circumstances could make her feel different from the children around her.
When Kelly needed extra help with reading in primary school, The Smith Family connected her with an older reading buddy through student2student.
When Kelly needed extra help with reading in primary school, The Smith Family connected her with an older reading buddy through student2student.
The student2student program gave me the ability to find that learning was fun, that learning and being educated is attainable because you're with a peer.
The Smith Family connected her with an older reading buddy through student2student, a peer-to-peer program that gives young people a different way to learn and build their reading skills.
That was the beginning of 13 years of support from The Smith Family. Along the way, she received educational support, scholarships and encouragement that helped her believe her ambitions were within reach.
Today, she is a university graduate with a double degree in media communications and business, building her career in media, entertainment and live events.
Helping young people fulfil their potential
Education can be one of the most powerful ways to help a child experiencing poverty create a different future.
The Smith Family supports children and young people throughout their education, helping them strengthen their learning, build confidence and develop the skills they need to make the most of every opportunity.
From literacy support and mentoring to programs that keep young people engaged with their education, we're helping children see what's possible - and take steps towards the future they imagine for themselves.
The Smith Family supports children and young people throughout their education, helping them strengthen their learning, build confidence and develop the skills they need to make the most of every opportunity.
From literacy support and mentoring to programs that keep young people engaged with their education, we're helping children see what's possible - and take steps towards the future they imagine for themselves.
Supporting children where they live and learn
Across 800 schools around Australia, The Smith Family works alongside local communities to help children experiencing disadvantage get more from their education.
Because every child’s circumstances are different, the support they need can be different too. Working locally helps us understand those needs and connect children with the right educational support and programs to help them learn, build confidence and stay engaged at school.
We also measure the impact of our programs, so we know what’s making a difference and where we can do more.
Because every child’s circumstances are different, the support they need can be different too. Working locally helps us understand those needs and connect children with the right educational support and programs to help them learn, build confidence and stay engaged at school.
We also measure the impact of our programs, so we know what’s making a difference and where we can do more.
Programs that can change a learning journey
Our education programs help young people build skills, confidence and stronger connections with their learning.
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Learning Clubs Provides a supportive place for students to strengthen their learning, build confidence and stay connected to school.
82% of Learning Club participants say the program helps them do better at school. -
Student2student Pairs younger students with an older reading buddy to build reading skills and confidence.
90% of student2student participants improve their reading, with 75% increasing their reading level by up to two years.
Investing in children's futures
We focus on helping young Australians overcome educational inequality caused by poverty – and measure our impact over the long term.
We track the educational outcomes that can make a lasting difference, from school attendance and advancement to Year 12, through to engagement in work and further study after school.
In 2024, Learning for Life students in Years 1–10 had an average school attendance rate of 81.7%, while 84% of students who were in Year 12 in 2022 were in work and/or study two-and-a-half years after leaving school.
We track the educational outcomes that can make a lasting difference, from school attendance and advancement to Year 12, through to engagement in work and further study after school.
In 2024, Learning for Life students in Years 1–10 had an average school attendance rate of 81.7%, while 84% of students who were in Year 12 in 2022 were in work and/or study two-and-a-half years after leaving school.