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.
View all programs
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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Zahra's Story

My cadetship is amazing. It’s given me a better understanding about my future career, which helps me perform better at university.

Helping a university student transition to the workforce

Ten years ago it would have been impossible for me to imagine what I’ve achieved.”

“I was born in Afghanistan and we fled to Pakistan to escape the war. But with little to look forward to there, we came to Australia when I was 11 years old.

“With the support of The Smith Family I dreamt big and now I’m studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering.

“My parents worked hard for us to have a better future, and they’re so happy for the opportunities that we now have.

“The Smith Family’s Cadetship to Career program has given me opportunities I could never have anticipated. The program gives young adults like me a head start in the workplace before we finish university. It provides work experience with challenges to overcome, and that makes a huge difference to our lives.

“The program offers networking events for us to attend, which is where I made the connection with my employer, biomedical company Cochlear.

“My cadetship is amazing. It’s given me a better understanding about my future career, which helps me perform better at university. It expands on my university learnings in a workplace environment while allowing me to network and see what types of jobs there are in the industry.

“It’s a great feeling, looking forward to everyday learning in a workplace and working with people in the industry. I’m always learning from the mentors, who are there to help me reach my potential. “My dream career is to work with medical technology design or fixing prosthetics like artificial limbs.”

— Zahra, 20, student.