8,321 children need extra learning support this Christmas.

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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How child sponsorship works

Child sponsorship works by providing long-term educational support to a young person experiencing disadvantage, so that they can fit in, catch up and keep up at school. This vital support continues throughout a child’s school years, breaking down the barriers that poverty creates.

When you sponsor a child, all of your donation goes towards supporting your sponsored student. Your donation is distributed across three key areas to achieve the best long-term impact:

Support area	What it provides	The outcome for the student
School essentials — 36%	Uniforms, stationery, internet access and excursion fees	Helps them feel included and confident at school
Learning programs — 34%	Tutoring, homework support, mentoring and career-focused programs	Builds skills, motivation and future pathways
Personalised guidance — 30%	Support from a dedicated Learning for Life Coordinator	Helps students navigate challenges and stay engaged in their education

Why each type of support matters

Many students experiencing disadvantage don’t just need one kind of help - they need support that covers money for school essentials, access to out-of-school learning opportunities, and someone in the community who understands the family’s situation. Each part of sponsorship exists to keep a young person connected to school and getting the most out of their learning.

School essentials — removing financial barriers
Some families struggle to cover the basic costs of schooling. With the rising cost of living, everyday expenses are putting even more pressure on household budgets. Uniforms, stationery, school shoes, a laptop or even bus fare can be out of reach. When a child arrives without the things they need, it can lead to feelings of not fitting in and missed learning opportunities.

Access to learning programs - bridging the achievement gap
Children experiencing disadvantage are more likely to start behind and stay behind academically, not because of ability, but because they may not have the same access to early learning opportunities, educational resources like books, digital devices etc.² Over time, this gap widens.³

A sponsorship through The Smith Family gives students the chance to catch up, build skills and stay on track. Tutoring, mentoring and out-of-school learning opportunities help them develop confidence, independence and a belief that they can succeed.

A Learning for Life Coordinator - support that stands beside the family
Financial support alone isn’t always enough. Some families are managing complex pressures — housing insecurity, illness, work instability, or caring responsibilities. These can in turn affect a child’s attendance, motivation and wellbeing.

A Learning for Life Coordinator is there to walk alongside both the student and their family. They provide personalised guidance, help navigate challenges, connect families to services, and encourage each child to stay engaged in their education. Having someone who understands their situation can make the difference between disengaging — and pushing forward.

Why child sponsorship is needed

Across Australia, many children struggle at school not because they lack potential, but because their families simply can’t afford the basics needed to participate - things like uniforms, textbooks, internet access, or the cost of excursions. These are often small expenses for some families, but significant barriers for others.

Without support, these gaps widen over time. Students may fall behind in class, miss out on opportunities to learn, or feel disconnected from their peers - and that can affect confidence, motivation and long-term pathways.

Child sponsorship helps change that. Through The Smith Family, your support provides the essential resources, learning opportunities and encouragement a young person needs to stay engaged at school and believe in their future.

Learn more about child sponsorship.

How much does it cost to sponsor a child?

It costs $58 a month to co-sponsor a child or $116 a month to be their sole sponsor through The Smith Family. This regular giving ensures each student receives the practical resources and support they need to participate fully in their education.

Your contribution helps cover uniforms, books, stationery, digital access, and entry into programs that build academic confidence and future aspirations.

Is child sponsorship tax-deductible?

Yes — child sponsorship with The Smith Family is tax-deductible, which can make the overall cost of sponsorship lower than expected. Each year, sponsors receive a consolidated tax receipt to use when completing their tax return.

Everyone’s tax situation is different, so it's always a good idea to check how gift and donation deductions apply to you or seek your own financial advice to understand what you may be able to claim.

How to sponsor a child today

You can sponsor a child by signing up online through The Smith Family’s website and choosing whether you’d like to co-sponsor or sole-sponsor. The online form takes only a few minutes - you simply select your sponsorship option, enter your details, and set up your payment. Once you complete your sign-up, The Smith Family will match you with a student in need, based on factors such as location, year level and urgency of support. Your sponsorship begins immediately, ensuring help reaches them as soon as possible.

When you sign up, you’ll receive:

a child profile

updates throughout the year

opportunities to send messages (optional)

If your circumstances change, The Smith Family continues to support the student while arranging another sponsor so their education is not interrupted.

Sponsor a child now and help an Australian student stay at school, learn and thrive.

¹The Smith Family. Pulse Survey – frontline insights report. Retrieved from https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/media/research/reports/pulse-survey

²Goss, P. and Sonnemann, J. (2016). Widening Gaps: What NAPLAN tells us about student progress. Grattan Institute. 
³Widening Gaps: What NAPLAN tells us about student progress. p. 1
* Names, family details and associated images have been changed to protect the family’s identity.