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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From School to Success: Completing Year 12 and Beyond

Some aspects I felt would have helped me in being more decisive on my chosen pathway would have been opportunities to converse with actual professionals in engineering or likewise a networking event, where I could talk to many professionals in varying degrees and occupations.

Cindy, Learning for Life tertiary student

In this special episode of Conversations with The Smith Family, we feature highlights from our recent webinar, exploring how we can collectively support more young Australians to achieve success at school and beyond.

We know that higher educational attainment is associated with positive social and economic outcomes, yet disturbingly, one in four young Australians aren't completing year 12 or the equivalent – and the rate is much higher for young people experiencing disadvantage.

This episode includes valuable insights from The Smith Family's Head of Research and Advocacy, Anne Hampshire, on our ongoing research into post-school pathways with over 2,000 young Australians, and a personal story from Cindy, a tertiary student on our Learning for Life program who offers her perspective on what young people need to make a positive transition from school to further study and work.

Plus, you’ll hear from our panellists – Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, Chancellor of Western Sydney University; Christine Cawsey AM, Principal of Rooty Hill High School and a Board member at The Smith Family; and Dr Anthony Mann, senior policy analyst in the Directorate for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – who each share their views on ways to address the recent declines in school completion rates and ensure all young people are ready for a fast-changing labour market.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or watch the full webinar below.

View our research report here.

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From School to Success: Completing Year 12 and Beyond

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