Essential digital skills

Read more about the building blocks people need to participate in the digital world.

Essential digital skills are key to social and economic participation, managing health and wellbeing, accessing education and services, and connecting with friends and family.

Essential digital skills are the building blocks people need to participate in the digital world. They include basics like knowing how to turn a device on and off, sending emails, searching online and filling in online forms and extend to skills to access education and work online. Importantly, essential digital skills also include knowing how to stay safe online, create good passwords and avoid scams.

When written out, there is a long list of essential digital skills that many people who are already confident online may take for granted. Digital Mentors play an important role in supporting people to learn these skills by providing encouragement, support and motivation to keep going.

As a person learns the essential digital skills, their confidence and digital ability grows. Research has also shown that participating in essential digital skills programs in community settings also significantly reduces social isolation and loneliness.

 

Social impact of Be Connected

A recent social impact evaluation of our essential digital skills program for over 50's - Be Connected - found a social return on investment of $4 for every $1 invested. It also saw learners become safer and more confident online and more socially connected.

What we're doing

Find out more about our essential digital skills campaigns and programs, and how we're advocating for digital inclusion programs.

Be Connected

Increasing the confidence, skills and online safety of older Australians, empowering everyone to use the internet and everyday technology to thrive in our digital world.

 

Get Online Week

Our annual week-long campaign of digital inclusion.

 

The LIFE initiative

Ensuring all families have the essential digital skills and access they need for life - work, school and fun.

 

Impact stories & Insights

Supporting people to learn essential digital skills like how to video call or use their device safely is a key part of what we do. We work with our network and partners to deliver impactful programs across the country.

 

Digital Nation 2021

Digital Nation Australia 2021 brings together the latest research and insights from government, community and academia to help build understanding of the digital inclusion landscape in Australia and inform initiatives that could close the digital divide for all.