The digital divide
2.5 million people in Australia are offline, and many more do not have the skills they need to thrive in a digital world.
Digital inclusion is a social issue
Digital inclusion means ensuring people can use the internet and technology to improve their daily lives. This is not just a tech issue. Digital inclusion is about enabling access to everything the digital world has to offer to ensure no one is left behind.
The Australian Digital Inclusion Index shows that while digital inclusion is slowly increasing across Australia, there remains a substantial digital divide in Australia. People with low levels of income, education and employment, those living in some regional areas, people aged over 65 and people with a disability are at particular risk of being left behind.
Everyone in Australia deserves the right to have affordable access to digital technology and the skills and confidence to use it.
We believe that digital technology can support equality of opportunity and ensures everyone can fully participate in today’s society, that’s why we work every day to bridge the digital divide.
What is the digital divide?
2.5 million people are not online in Australia
< 40% of Australians feel they can keep up with rapid changes in technology
People aged 65+ are the least digitally included age group and are most at risk of social isolation and loneliness
What are we doing about it?
Supporting people to improve their digital skills is how we work to close the digital divide.
Our diverse national network of community partners offers community-based digital skills programs. Each program we offer is tailorable to suit the communities needs, and support is available for free from a trusted, upskilled local partner.
We design and manage digital inclusion programs including Be Connected, Health My Way and Get Online Week. We advocate to raise awareness of the digital divide and the steps that need to be taken across the country to close it.