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Numeracy programs

Maths skills are important in today’s digitally driven world.

Having strong numeracy skills is vital for success in the workplace, for taking control of your finances and managing a variety of daily tasks.

In today’s digitally driven world, maths skills are even more important for understanding how the world works, making informed decisions, and effectively utilising digital tools. 

Girl learning to count using the abacus
Our Let's Count program, on the TODAY show

60.5% of Year 5 students whose parents have not completed Year 12 or equivalent fail to achieve above the national minimum numeracy standards.3

Right now, 1 in 3 Australian children living in poverty are unable to attain basic numeracy skills in their first year of school.1  And once behind in maths, generally stay behind.2

Research shows that when children living with poverty receive targeted learning support at each stage of their education, they can build the foundations of a better future.

 
Learning starts in the early years. Little children’s brains are wired to learn, and The Smith Family is all about education.
 
Karen Russell, National Manager of Early Years and Government Programs

Let's Count

Let’s Count is an early maths program supporting parents and educators of children aged three to five years to help children develop essential numeracy skills.

The program recognises education as a powerful tool for positive change in a child’s life. It is built on the understanding that everyone – children, their parents and carers – can be a mathematician with the right help. 

Our learning programs

Learning for Life

Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.

Cadetship to Career

Cadetship to Career is a youth employment initiative that links tertiary students supported by The Smith Family with employers for paid, flexible, multi-year cadetship opportunities.

Digital Access

The Digital Access program improves families’ digital inclusion by ensuring all Learning for Life families have access to low-cost internet, devices and tech support.

Girls at the Centre

This aspirational program aims to strengthen social, emotional and cultural knowledge and academic aspirations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in Years 7–12.

Growing Careers Project

This program gives young people the opportunity to acquire what they need to thrive post-school by enabling them to participate in multiple career programs.

Indigenous Youth Leadership Program

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students living in remote or very remote areas to attend a high performing secondary school and/or university to further their education.

Learning Clubs

After-school Learning Clubs give children help with literacy homework in a safe, supportive environment, encouraging children to better engage with their learning.

MoneyMinded

MoneyMinded is a practical, evidence-based financial education program that helps individuals and families develop essential money management skills. 

Let's Count

Let’s Count is an innovative, evidence-based program that helps young children develop strong early numeracy skills through everyday activities.

Saver Plus

A free financial education program helping people on low incomes build financial skills and develop life-long savings habits.
1 OECD (2023), PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): The State of Learning and Equity in Education, PISA, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en.
2 David Geary, Setting the preschool foundation for success in Mathematics, Centre for Independent Studies Limited (2022) 
3 The Smith Family, Improving the educational outcomes of disadvantaged young Australians: The Learning for Life program report (2016)