3,595 children urgently need support before they head back to school.

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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Child Sponsorship
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The Connections

Empowering education leaders to improve education outcomes for increased equity

In Australia, it is well established that children and young people in schools and early years settings located in communities facing significant challenges are at greater risk of poorer outcomes compared to those in more advantaged areas.

Improving educational outcomes for children and young people experiencing disadvantage brings benefits beyond their education experience that are lifelong impacts.

Every child deserves a fair chance

Access to a great education opens the door to lifelong benefits including better health, greater employment opportunities, and higher income. This is the power of education.

However, to achieve these outcomes, school and early years leaders need more support than they are currently receiving. By empowering collaboration and providing shared opportunities, we enable leaders to learn from each other and tackle complex challenges collectively. This support ensures they are equipped to drive meaningful improvements and deliver equitable, high-quality education for all children and young people.

What is The Connection?

Every child and young person should have access to quality education and great life outcomes. The Smith Family’s Connection initiative empowers school and early years leaders by:

Partnering with leaders in disadvantaged communities across Australia.
Fostering collaboration and networks to share expertise and drive improvement.
Pooling resources and insights to create better opportunities for children and young people.

Independent evaluation by RMIT researchers shows that participation in The Connection leads to strong, measurable improvements across participating early years and school settings. After 3–5 years:

All NSW and SA schools and 75% of Victorian schools are implementing innovative and effective teaching practices.
94–100% report very high improvement in pedagogical content knowledge.
All NSW and SA leaders and three-quarters in Victoria gained new knowledge relevant to their roles.
Many principals and teachers report significant improvements in student engagement, learning and development.
73% of schools improved academic outcomes, student agency and understanding of learning processes.

Hear what our participants have to say

Working closely with like‑minded leaders invigorated our leadership team and enriched our thinking.

Principal, Granville East Public School

The Connection has produced many opportunities to communicate, collaborate and spark new thinking.

Principal, Hilltop Road Public School

I came out of my comfort zone and tried new things and had a say.

Year 6 student, Hoxton Park Public School

How does The Connection work?

Leaders from early years settings and schools work with a Relationship Manager to identify challenges and co-design a Project Action Plan using The Connection’s evidence base. They are supported to develop a solution-focused mindset and apply evidence-informed improvement practices. Through events like Thought Leadership Gatherings, Hub Days, and international explorations, leaders collaborate, share insights, and contribute to The Connection’s growing knowledge network.

The Connection’s impact so far

80 schools supported
25 early years sites supported
4,200 leaders empowered
80,000 young people engaged

Our learning programs

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.
Arts programs

Providing students living with disadvantage access to arts programs to help support students'; engagement with school by increasing their creative skills, self-confidence, social networks and knowledge of post-school options.
Community programs

We partner with government, schools, families, and other service providers to improve educational outcomes for children.
Financial programs

We offer financial programs for parents facing disadvantage and an interactive high school program, building youth financial literacy, decision-making skills, and future awareness.
School transition programs

Providing help for students transition from primary to high school by enhancing their skills, knowledge, and attitude for the new learning environment.
Learning Clubs

After-school Learning Clubs give children help with literacy homework in a safe, supportive environment, encouraging children to better engage with their learning.
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.
Literacy programs

Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
Mentoring programs

Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
Mentoring programs

Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
Numeracy programs

We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
Technology programs

Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
Work experience programs

We provide work experience programs for students living with disadvantage, to help them explore their future career options and potential job opportunities.