There are still 4,532 Australian children who need extra learning support by 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
  Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- 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.
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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.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- 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 16,000 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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OZ Minerals

BY PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS, OZ MINERALS IS HELPING YOUNG AUSTRALIANS BREAK FREE FROM THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.

Our flagship Learning for Life program currently helps young Australians from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed at school, through an innovative three-pronged approach. We provide financial support for school essentials, like uniforms and books. We provide access to additional learning programs before and after school – tailored to each child’s individual needs. And we match each child with a dedicated coach at The Smith Family to help them get to school, stay at school and go on to further training or work. This unique approach is equipping these children with the motivation, resilience and life skills they need to succeed in their education.

In 2021-22, 22.2% of the Learning for Life students we support were from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, and our partner, OZ Minerals, specifically supports the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women and girls.

A range of complex social and cultural factors have led to an imbalance in educational achievement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students over many years. When they start school, many students can be behind their peers in basic skills, and as a result, can struggle to stay motivated to attend school regularly. When students face additional challenges at home and in their community, they find it very hard to stay motivated to reach Year 12.

With the support of partners like OZ Minerals, we are committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families to help close the gap in educational outcomes.

We support these students by providing tailored assistance, including targeted programs that help them to stay motivated at school and keep up with their peers. We also provide opportunities for students to participate in activities outside their own communities, so they can learn about options beyond their own experiences.