Poverty in Australia
- What is Poverty? The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defines the poverty line as half the median household income of the total population.
- Breaking Poverty Podcast Investigates the role of education in breaking poverty in these unprecedented times and safeguarding the future of the next generation.
Our Programs
- Literacy programs Providing resources and support to help disadvantaged children achieve the required reading standard.
- Numeracy programs We support parents and early years educators in developing the maths skills of the children in their care so that they can establish the necessary foundation skills.
- Mentoring programs Mentoring programs for disadvantaged students that give the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Technology programs Providing disadvantaged children and young people with the critical skills, access and equipment they need.
- Learning for Life Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students face additional challenges in their journey through and beyond school.
- > View all programs
Get Involved
- Sponsor a child Through sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- Volunteer with us Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Careers We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Ways to Fundraise Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Partnerships Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- VIEW Clubs of Australia Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 16,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child Through sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- Monthly Donor Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Single Donation Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- A gift in your will Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Philanthropic Giving Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians growing up in poverty get the education they deserve.
- Give toys or books The Toy & Book Appeal is your opportunity to help bring a smile to a child's face this Christmas.
Shop for Gifts
- Joyspreader Charity Gifts Purchase a virtual Charity Gift and support learning and mentoring programs.
- Charity Christmas cards Order your Christmas cards, corporate Christmas cards or e-cards and support The Smith Family.

Optus

MANY YOUNG AUSTRALIANS ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE REGULAR ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. TO ADDRESS THIS, WE ARE PARTNERING WITH OPTUS ON THEIR DONATE YOUR DATA INITIATIVE.

Through Donate Your Data, Optus and their customers are providing connectivity to young Australians in need.

In today’s world, work and study is increasingly reliant on the internet, and without it, some young people are unable to access the same resources and opportunities as the rest of Australia.

Donate Your Data provides eligible students on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program with a free Optus Prepaid service with data, talk and text. They also have the opportunity to receive additional data that is donated by Optus customers.

Donate Your Data makes it easier for participating Learning for Life students, like Taylah, to complete their homework, learn, stay in touch and reach their full potential.

“The data has helped a lot with my education because it’s provided me an opportunity to research all my school subjects and do my assignments at home. It’s also helped me explore educational pathways including university, TAFE and apprenticeships.”

Find out more about the Donate Your Data initiative.