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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Driving Social Change: Perspectives from Parliament

Conversations with The Smith Family, CEO Doug Taylor speaks with Dr Andrew Leigh MP

We've got to make sure… that we've got great teachers in front of students, and terrific teachers in front of the most disadvantaged students.

The Honourable Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment

At The Smith Family, we believe partnering with governments is critical to bring long-term, systemic change. We advocate for change on behalf of children and young people experiencing disadvantage, to ensure all young Australians can get the most from their education.

In this conversation, our CEO Doug Taylor speaks with The Honourable Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment, to explore some of the key issues facing young people today, and how governments and charities can work together to strengthen our communities for a better future.

“A society that has more economic inequality is often a society that has less social connectivity,” says Assistant Minister Leigh. “So I'm really passionate in my role as Assistant Minister for Charities, not just in getting charity regulation right, but building a more connected Australia.”

Conversation highlights

Assistant Minister Leigh talks to Doug about:

[2:54] Education reform and current challenges in education
[5:30] The link between economic inequality and social connection
[7:17] The future of volunteering in Australia
[9:04] Sustainable and effective funding for charities
[10:45] The government’s target to double philanthropic giving
[13:13] Collaboration between governments and charities for a better future

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

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Driving Social Change: Perspectives from Parliament

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