Older Australians will take part in more than 1,000 events across Australia during Get Online Week from 14 to 20 October.
Assistant Minister for Ageing Kate Thwaites said it was important older Australians were not left behind in our increasingly digital world.
“Digital inclusion is a priority for our government – that’s why we fund programs like Be Connected, which gives over-50s the confidence and skills to navigate everything from video calls to internet banking,” Assistant Minister Thwaites said.
Be Connected has already supported more than two million older Australians and is delivered in metro, regional and remote areas by a network of more than 3,800 community partners.
The Albanese Government is funding the Good Things Foundation and eSafety $42 million to run the Be Connected program until June 2028 as announced by Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in October 2023.
“Through Be Connected, older people can learn to use social media and catch-up TV, pay their bills, shop online and access government services in a supportive environment – no more eyerolls from teenage grandchildren,” Assistant Minister Thwaites said.
“Be Connected also empowers older Australians to navigate current and evolving technology safely, which is essential for protecting yourself from scams online.
“We know anyone can be the victim of a scam, but losses disproportionately affect older Australians,” Assistant Minister Thwaites said.
Losses to scammers dropped by 13 per cent in 2023 thanks to the Albanese Government’s scammer crackdown. The Government’s newly introduced Scams Prevention Framework will make Australia the toughest place in the world for scammers to operate.
The Albanese Government has provided over $154 million in the 2024-25 and 2023-24 Budgets to tackle scam activity across the economy.
“I strongly encourage older Australians who want to learn more to join a Get Online Week event or find a Be Connected program in a library or community centre near you by visiting www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au.”
A social return on investment analysis, completed as part of the 2020 Be Connected impact evaluation, found the program generated $4 in social value for every $1 invested by the Government.
Visit Get Online Week: www.goodthingsaustralia.org/get-online-week
More information on the Be Connected program is available on the Department of Social Services website.
*The online version of this media release was updated on 14 October 2024 to reflect that the total program funding is $42 million, with $24.8 million being provided to the Good Things Foundation.