Right now 8,238 children are urgently waiting for sponsors.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Corporate partnerships
  Corporate partnerships give young Australians in need the chance to change their futures through educational support. Discover how you can join forces with The Smith Family to create a mutually-beneficial, impactful partnership.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW Clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 13,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
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Our podcasts about educational inequality in Australia

Let’s change how we think about educational inequality caused by poverty.

Hear directly from students, families and industry experts about the barriers that prevent young Australians from thriving at school, and learn what we can do to overcome these challenges.

From first-hand experiences to expert analysis, these podcasts uncover real stories and practical solutions. Because every young person deserves a fair shot at achieving their potential – no matter their circumstances.

Conversations with The Smith Family

What would it take to make education fair for every Australian child?

Explore the challenges that stand in the way of educational equality – and how we can work together to overcome them.

Hosted by CEO, Doug Taylor, each episode features an expert guest – from businessman David Gonski AC to award-winning maths teacher and Wootube creator Eddie Woo. They each share practical ideas and perspectives on what is working and what still needs to change.

Learn more >

Virtual meeting grid view showing participants engaged in discussion, diverse backgrounds, all wearing headphones or headsets

Listen now on your preferred podcast platform

Breaking Poverty

How does education help families facing disadvantage?

In this two-part podcast, hosted by investigative journalist Adam Shand, you’ll meet students determined to build better futures, despite the challenges they face. It’s a candid look at the systemic barriers, with stories that show how education and the right support can create lasting opportunities.

Find out more

a thumbail with two images of men for a podcast episode called funding and fairness in australian education

Coming soon!

Name of podcast

Our newest podcast will feature stories of resilience, the power of education and the people who make a difference.

Listen now

Why these conversations matter

What does it take to create real opportunity for all

Too many children in Australia are locked out of educational opportunity through no fault of their own but because of the barriers created by poverty. Poverty is a complex, systemic issue – not a personal failing. It’s about more than income; it’s about access, equity and the conditions that limit opportunity.

Our goal is to put educational inequity on the national agenda by highlighting solutions and inspiring action. Alongside students and families with firsthand experience of poverty, you’ll hear from guests who bring a wide range of perspectives, including:

David Gonski AC – businessman and education advocate who led Australia’s landmark school funding review
Eddie Woo – award-winning maths teacher, author and creator of Wootube
Steve Biddulph AM – family psychologist and bestselling author on parenting and child development
Georgie Dent – early learning advocate and CEO of The Parenthood
Dr Kirsten Hancock – researcher and education equity advocate
Dr Andrew Leigh MP – Economist, Charities Minister and Federal MP
And more ...

Tune in to find out what’s possible when we work together.