Right now 7,700 children are urgently waiting for sponsors.

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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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Help stop poverty from holding Ava back

1.2 million

Australian children and young people are living in poverty today.¹

30% lower

Year 12 completion rate when students experience disadvantage.²

2+ years behind

in reading and maths by Year 9.³

A new year should mean a fresh start for Ava.

At this time of year, children across Australia are looking forward to the start of the school year. But 8-year-old Ava is already worried about the year ahead.

With poverty affecting her family more than ever before, she began falling behind in her schoolwork last year and struggled to catch up. Now, she’s wondering if this year will be any different.

Starting the school year with confidence is incredibly important to a child’s self-esteem and motivation. Just like any other child, Ava deserves to get off to a good start.

a girl reading her school report with her mum in the background in the kitchen — Ava wants to do well, and her mum wants that for her too - they just need the right support to make it possible.

I wasn’t good at reading last year. I don’t want to be bad at school again this year.

Ava, age 8

Girl sitting at desk looking sad — Like Ava, many students feel the weight of falling behind — but sponsorship can change that story.

Through no fault of her own, Ava is at risk of falling behind before the year even starts.

Back when Ava’s mum Rachel was with her husband, they used to just make ends meet. But since they’ve separated, things are even worse, with Rachel having to move to a more affordable area to support the family. Since then, Rachel has been finding it hard to cover living expenses for herself, Ava and 5-year-old Noah on her own.

Rachel is doing everything she can to improve the family’s situation, working full time in a café and studying part-time to become a teacher.

She knows this will give them all a better future even though it hasn’t left much time to help Ava and Noah with their school work. Last year, Ava began falling behind in her school work despite trying her hardest, and now she’s worried about falling further behind this year.

Like any parent, Rachel wants to give her children everything they deserve to thrive, and it hurts to see her little girl falling behind no matter how hard she tries.

How your sponsorship helps

School essentials

Financial support to pay for uniforms, stationery and excursions to help a child fit in and feel confident.

Local, personalised support

Community-based Learning for Life Coordinators who provide help and guidance to a family to support their child’s schooling.

Access to additional learning support

Access to out-of-school learning and mentoring programs to help students thrive at school and beyond.

We certainly couldn't afford anything like sports or school excursions, even though I know how much they enrich the kids' lives.

Ava's mum, Rachel

Give a child like Ava the chance to make this year count.

Ava’s story reflects a reality many Australian families are facing today, with 9 out of 10 parents and caregivers we support telling us they are worried they will not be able to afford all the items their children need for school this year.⁴

We know that education is one of the most powerful change agents.

By sponsoring a child like Ava, you can help give them access to the financial, practical and emotional support they need to make the most of their education and build a better tomorrow.

A teacher sits at a table with three primary school students, smiling and reading together in a classroom. — Sponsorship helps children access the learning support they need to thrive — today, tomorrow and beyond.

Sponsoring is simple – and powerful.

Here’s how it works:

1. Get matched with a child in need: We’ll connect you with a student who could benefit most – or you can personalise your sponsorship by choosing a child’s age, gender and where they live in Australia. Every child is matched with two sponsors, to ensure your support has the greatest impact.

2. Receive your welcome pack: Once you sign up, we’ll send you a welcome pack with your student’s profile and everything you need to know about the sponsorship program.

3. Stay connected: You’ll receive regular updates and progress reports, so you can see the difference your sponsorship makes over time.

Right now, Ava and over 3,595 children in Australia like her are in urgent need of a sponsor to stop poverty from taking another year of learning from them.

Sponsorship Frequently Asked Questions

What does my sponsorship actually cover?

What will I receive as a sponsor

What are the sponsorship amounts?

Many of our sponsors choose a shared sponsorship at $58/month for a student in Kindergarten to Year 10. This option is made available to you online.

Shared sponsorship is $58/month for a student in Kindergarten to Year 10. Shared sponsorship is where two sponsors contributions are combined to sponsor one child:

Education Level	Sponsorship cost (Per Month)	Sponsorship cost (Per Year)
Co-sponsorship (K – Year 10)	Per Month: $58	Per Year: $696
Sole Sponsorship (K – Year 10)	Per Month: $116	Per Year: $1,392

If you would like to become a Sole sponsor you can do so here

If you are considering sponsoring a senior school student, our Supporter Care Team will be able to assist you. Contact them on 1800 024 069 or via email at sponsorship@thesmithfamily.com.au

How do I cancel the Sponsorship of my Learning for Life child?

What happens to my student if I cancel my sponsorship?

¹2020 Poverty in Australia ACOSS/UNSW Report.
²Sonnemann, J., Hunter, J. (2023) Tackling under-achievement. The Grattan Institute
³ 2008 Review of Australian Higher Education Final Report. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
⁴2024 The Smith Family Pulse Survey
* Names, family details and associated images have been changed to protect the family’s identity.