Connecting over 50s to the digital world

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to ensuring older Australians are connected to and safe in the modern digital world and will today announce $42 million to extend the successful Be Connected program.

Be Connected supports Australians over the age of 50 to boost their online skills. With access to free digital literacy training and devices, the program also ensures older Australians can safely use technology and online platforms.

The funding extension – announced during Get Online Week – will guarantee more older Australians will benefit, and ultimately be more informed and included digital citizens. It’s expected to extend direct support to an additional 300,000 older Australians through 3800 community organisations.

Through Be Connected, Australians aged over the age of 50 are supported to learn the basics of technology. This includes support to access essential services that have transitioned to the digital space, such as online banking, shopping, telehealth appointments, and government services.

The program also includes an intergenerational initiative – Young Mentors – enabling secondary school students to take on the role of digital mentors, allowing them to develop their teaching, communication, and problem solving skills while making a valuable contribution to the digital inclusion of older people.

The Be Connected Program has been built on the earlier success of the Broadband for Seniors Program which ran from 2008 with the aim of supporting seniors to gain digital confidence. In September 2017, the Broadband for Seniors Program was replaced by the Be Connected Program. Since then, the Be Connected program has directly supported over 470,000 people via a Be Connected Network Partner.

The program was due to end in July 2024 but the Government’s investment will see it extended through to 2028.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth emphasised the necessity of targeted digital literacy programs to tailor support to older Australians who may need it, as Australia becomes increasingly reliant on technology.

“Many aspects of daily life have shifted to the digital world; banking, bill paying, telehealth appointments, job hunting and accessing government services for example. Technology changes so rapidly, it is vital that no-one is excluded,” Minister Rishworth said.

“Increasing digital literacy can also help people feel more connected. Social media can help Australians to stay in touch with friends and loved ones who may live far away, reducing loneliness and isolation.”

Support will be made available across the country as the Government, through a Network Partner, continues to work with local libraries, community groups, retirement villages and aged care facilities.

“Lack of access to training has been a barrier to many older Australians becoming digitally literate. They also suffer the biggest financial losses due to scams. This expansion of support will help get more people online, be safe online and help bridge the digital divide,” Minister Rishworth said.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said said extending the BeConnected program was critical to narrow the digital divide.

“Improving digital literacy for all Australians is key to making online spaces safer,” Minister Rowland said.

“That’s why the Albanese Government is providing ongoing funding to this important initiative, including to eSafety as a major delivery partner for the BeConnected Program.

“The Young Mentors in particular is helping connect Australians of different ages to build their digital skills and confidence, and encourage genuine connections across generations”.

Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones emphasised the importance programs like BeConnected to help Australians protect themselves against scams.

“In 2022 the ACCC reported Australians aged over 45 lost more than $300 million to scammers. These figures are staggering,” Mr Jones said.

“Australians who are digitally literate, alert and educated to the risk of scams will be make them less attractive targets to scammers.”

“Through important initiatives like BeConnected and the National Anti-Scams Centre, our Government is helping Australians stay safe online.”

More information about the Be Connected program is available on the Department of Social Services website.

To boost your digital literacy skills and find a network partner near you, visit the Be Connected website.

More information about Get Online Week, organised by the Good Things Foundation to close the digital divide, is available on the Get Online Week website.