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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Equity in Education: Paving Pathways to University Success

Improving equity in education with The Smith Family CEO, Doug Taylor and Mark Scott

Education changes lives… education is a key to life's opportunities.

Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Sydney

In 2024, The Smith Family and The University of Sydney are celebrating 20 years of working in partnership to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Currently, there are 28 students on our Learning for Life program studying at the university on a Smith Family tertiary scholarship.

In this conversation, our CEO Doug Taylor speaks with Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Sydney, about the challenges and supports for students experiencing disadvantage, and initiatives to open up more opportunities in higher education.

“What we could see through our data was, when you open the door to students who hadn't had the advantages and you put them in an environment here, and they had the right kind of support around them, they could flourish,” says Mark.

Conversation highlights

Mark talks to Doug about:

[1:58] Addressing barriers for students from disadvantaged backgrounds
[5:00] A student whose world opened up through the MySydney program
[6:18] The potential benefits of a demand-driven, needs-based tertiary education system
[9:32] Helping young people start thinking earlier about their future aspirations
[10:36] A message for students on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program

Watch the full conversation below or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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