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.

Digital Access

Internet and devices for learning at home

Our Digital Access approach improves families’ digital inclusion by ensuring all Learning for Life families have access to low cost internet and devices as well as tech support and the knowledge on how to make the most of the technology they have.

At the Smith Family we want families to be digitally included so they can not only reap the educational benefits of being connected but also enables them to participate in our digital programs and access key services online.

Our Digital Access approach is able to deliver devices, internet plans and tech support to our Learning for Life families. At this point, due to funding constraints we are only able to offer this program to our current Learning for Life families.

How does the Digital Access Program help?

Paula and Peter on the computer

The Smith Family has long recognized the importance technology plays in a child’s education. Between 2007 - 2019, we delivered over 5000 computers and internet packages under our Tech Pack program to Australian families in need.

In an independent evaluation of the Tech Pack program by Victoria University in 2010, participants reported increased feelings of social inclusion and connectedness in relation to “keeping up with the rest of the world.” This evaluation also confirmed positive change for parents and their children in both skill and personal development. 97% of participants reported that having a computer in the home has been beneficial in 2018/19.

In 2017 we reviewed our Tech Pack program to ensure it was still meeting the needs of our families. This review made a number of recommendations including transitioning Tech Packs into our new Digital Access approach. Our new Digital Access approach enables us to continue to meet the needs of our families in this ever changing technology world.

The Smith Family's Digital Access program is a pivotal pillar of our Learning for Life program, a long-term strive to help disadvantaged children through school and onto a positive pathway with the fundamentals for a fair go.

Learning for Life