The Albanese Labor Government today reaffirmed its commitment to digital inclusion, backing the Tech Reuse for Good Charter to ensure all Australians can thrive in the digital age, with no-one held back or left behind.
Leaders from business, government and the not-for-profit sector came together at a roundtable to advance a shared goal: ensuring every Australian has access to the digital tools they need to participate fully in modern life.
This effort received a significant boost with The Telstra Foundation announcing it will commit almost $3 million to support a national device bank-a major step towards putting devices into the hands of Australian children who need them most.
This builds on the important work of the Business Council of Australia, Good Things Australia and WorkVentures to develop the Tech Reuse for Good Charter-an initiative that will for the first time give businesses a clear, practical pathway to redirect surplus devices to Australians who need them most.
According to the Australian Youth Digital Index up to 1.4 million young people do not have access to an appropriate device at home to support their education, with more than 80 per cent reporting difficulty keeping up with schoolwork without a computer. These figures highlight the real impact of digital exclusion on learning and opportunity.
The challenge extends across society, with many of Australia’s most vulnerable – from older Australians and newly arrived migrants to job seekers and people experiencing housing insecurity – unable to access the devices they need to connect with their families and access essential services and job opportunities.
The Tech Reuse for Good Charter focuses on outcomes rather than process, making it easier for organisations to contribute devices without the need for new regulation, mandates or complex funding arrangements. It is designed to:
- Improve access to devices for priority groups, including people on low incomes, First Nations communities and students
- Strengthen the circular economy by extending the life of technology and reducing e-waste
- Establish shared principles to support collaboration between industry, charities and government.
The initiative builds on contributions already being made by organisations such as Westpac and NBN Co, which are providing devices to support those in need.
With around 10 million computers and tablets, and 6.5 million mobile phones expected to be refreshed across the corporate and public sectors over the next five years, there is a clear opportunity to redirect these devices to Australians who need them most.
The roundtable brought together representatives from the Business Council of Australia, Good Things Australia, WorkVentures, Telstra Foundation, Amazon, Deloitte, Ashurst, Westpac, NBN Co, The Smith Family, First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group, Infoxchange, ADIA, Dementia Australia and government agencies-underscoring the strong, cross-sector commitment to improving access to devices and connectivity.
