The digital divide is leaving students behind

Education today has changed. Access to a computer, the internet, and the skills to use them are fundamental to engagement in education. 

Young people need reliable digital access to fully participate in class, complete homework, and make the most of their education. But for too many students growing up in poverty, these resources are out of reach. 

Without them, students are at risk of falling behind, limiting not only how well they do at school but also their future job prospects, ultimately deepening cycles of poverty and inequity. 

The digital divide - the gap between those with access to the digital world and the skills to navigate it, and those without - is fast becoming the new frontier of disadvantage in Australia.  

Research shows that poverty-driven digital exclusion locks people out of education, jobs, essential services, and full participation in society. The former National Skills Commission said digital abilities were the fastest growing skill set needed in the workplace.  

But without digital access, students can’t build these skills in the same way their more advantaged peers can – leaving them at a serious disadvantage for future jobs. Just as numeracy and literacy skills have been the foundation of education for generations, digital literacy skills are now vital for learning and life. We must ensure no young person is left behind.

Closing the digital divide in education requires long-term, sustainable solutions and collaboration across governments, organisations, and communities. 

While initiatives like the Federal Government's School Student Broadband Initiative and its Data and Digital Government Strategy are positive steps, much more is needed to ensure every young person has the digital access and skills to succeed at school and beyond. 

• National leadership and a coordinated strategy to close the digital divide, and ensure all children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have access to technology and skills. This will require cooperation across all levels of government and departments, beyond education, along with supporting policies. 
• The prioritisation of digital skills, and the capabilities to apply them, in the new Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, along with clear targets to track progress. This will also require coordinated efforts from the Commonwealth, states, and territories. 
• The establishment of a National Device Bank to collect and refurbish laptops, mobile phones, and tablets donated by private sector organisations, government departments, and the public – likely end-of-life tech destined for landfill. These refurbished devices can be distributed to people who are digitally excluded. 

Digital Inclusion Strategy 

Our goal is to ensure that within the next few years, all 72,000+ students in our flagship Learning for Life program are digitally included - with access to a laptop, internet, digital skills and technical support. So far: 

• We’ve provided over 8,000 digital devices to students with the help of corporate partners and suppliers, such as social enterprise WorkVentures.   
• More than 45,000 students/families have free mobile internet through Optus' Donate Your Data program. We’ve supported over 2,100 families to connect to the internet via the Australian Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative. 
• Our Digital Skills Hub provides families with the knowledge and resources to navigate the online world confidently and safely. 

Advocacy 

The goal of educational equity drives everything we do. That’s why we advocate for young people facing poverty and disadvantage – to break down barriers and ensure they have the same opportunities to learn and succeed, whether they’re in our programs or not.  

Our advocacy is apolitical and informed by research, evidence, and real-world experience. 

• Research & insights: 
  • Key Findings from the ARC Linkage Project Advancing digital inclusion in low-income Australian families 
  • Read other recent reports 
• Policy submissions: 
  • Submission to the Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable  
  • Productivity Commission Consultation: Harnessing data and digital technology 
  • Our Digital Future Tasmania  
  • Bridging the Digital Divide: Digital Accessibility and Inclusion consultation paper 
  • Data and Digital Government Strategy 
  • Read more submissions