You’ve probably heard about the Australian Government’s Be Connected initiative. Since 2017, it’s reached more than 2 million learners across the country. The program just received a $42 million extension through June 2028, which will support an additional 300,000 older Australians through 3,800 community organisations. However, this isn’t just about teaching seniors how to use email. In fact, the numbers tell a more urgent story. Older Australians suffer the biggest financial losses due to scams. Moreover, one in five Australians (approximately 20.6%) remains digitally excluded. For those aged 75 and over, however, that exclusion rate jumps to 66.5%. Consequently, when essential services move online, digital exclusion becomes a barrier to healthcare, banking, government services, and social connections.
The Three-Pillar Approach That Actually Works
Be Connected doesn’t rely on a single method. Instead, the program recognises that older adults learn differently and have varying comfort levels with technology. First, online learning resources form the first pillar. The Be Connected website offers more than 630 free resources, including self-paced courses, webinars, translated materials, and interactive practice areas. You can start as an absolute beginner or jump to intermediate skills. Second, community-based support provides the second pillar. Network Partners, including libraries, community centres, and Men’s Sheds, offer in-person assistance. This matters because not everyone learns well from a screen. Rather, some people need to ask questions, make mistakes, and get immediate feedback from another human being. Finally, intergenerational mentoring completes the structure. The Young Mentors program connects secondary school students with older adults who need digital skills training. Importantly, this third pillar delivers benefits that flow both ways.
When Students Teach, Everyone Gains
Research shows that intergenerational mentoring programs improve physical and mental health, cognitive function, and psychosocial well-being for older adults. At the same time, students develop teaching, communication, and problem-solving skills. In essence, you’re watching two demographic groups that often exist in separate worlds find common ground through technology. On one hand, the student gains patience and perspective. On the other hand, the older adult gains confidence and capability. As a result, the program reduces social isolation among seniors while simultaneously giving young people a sense of purpose and contribution. That’s efficient program design.
Measuring What Matters: The Digital Ability Surge
The 2025 Australian Digital Inclusion Index revealed something significant. Specifically, digital ability among Australians aged 75 and over increased from 23.3 to 41.5 between 2023 and 2025. That’s an 18.2-point increase, the largest gain of any demographic group. Clearly, targeted interventions work when they’re designed properly. Nevertheless, the data also shows how much work remains. Despite this progress, two-thirds of Australians aged 75 and over remain digitally excluded or highly excluded. In other words, the problem isn’t solved. It’s just becoming more manageable.
Beyond Convenience: Digital Access as Essential Infrastructure
Banking, bill paying, telehealth appointments, job hunting, and accessing government services have shifted to digital platforms. You can’t opt out of this transition and maintain full participation in modern life.Furthermore, digital exclusion cuts people off from vital services and opportunities in education, work, and health. Indeed, it’s not an inconvenience. Rather, it’s a barrier to basic functioning in contemporary society. Beyond services, social connection matters too. Research demonstrates that greater performance in mobile technology use favours social contact, reduces loneliness, and improves mental well-being among older adults. When your family lives interstate or overseas, for instance, digital communication becomes the primary way to maintain relationships.
What This Means for Educational Professionals
If you work in education, therefore, you’re watching a model for how to bridge knowledge gaps across generations. The Be Connected initiative shows that effective digital literacy programs require multiple access points, community partnerships, and recognition of diverse learning needs. Moreover, the intergenerational component offers particular value. Schools looking to develop service-learning programs or community engagement initiatives can use this framework. In this way, you’re not just teaching technology skills. You’re also building empathy, patience, and cross-generational understanding. Furthermore, the program’s extension through 2028 signals long-term commitment. After all, digital literacy isn’t a problem you solve once. Instead, it’s an ongoing challenge as technology evolves and new platforms emerge. Additionally, for parents, this program offers a practical way for your children to develop teaching skills while contributing to community wellbeing. The experience of explaining technology to someone who finds it genuinely difficult builds communication abilities that transfer to other contexts.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, Be Connected addresses a problem that affects millions of Australians. The program’s success, measured in both participation numbers and improved digital ability scores, demonstrates that government initiatives can create meaningful change when they’re properly funded and thoughtfully designed. In essence, you’re looking at infrastructure investment. Just as roads and bridges connect physical communities, digital literacy programs connect people to the services, information, and relationships that define modern life. Looking ahead, the 300,000 additional older Australians who’ll receive support through 2028 represent families who can video call grandchildren, individuals who can manage their banking safely, and people who can access telehealth when they need it. That’s what digital inclusion looks like when it works.
