Australia cannot achieve its economic and social ambitions while 1 in 5 people remain digitally excluded.
The 2026–27 Federal Budget focuses on resilience, reform, productivity, cost of living and opportunity. These priorities all depend on people being able to participate safely, confidently and affordably in an increasingly digital world.
Good Things Australia welcomes Budget measures that recognise the importance of digital access, including investment in connectivity in natural disasters, AI innovation, improvements in Government digital platform functionality, and the eSafety Commissioner’s program on tech facilitated abuse of women.
But, technology systems investment alone is not enough. People also need affordable connectivity, suitable devices, essential digital skills and trusted community support.
“Digital inclusion is not just a tech issue. It is essential for full participation in our society and economy, enabling people to access government services, education, healthcare, work, social connection and support,” said Good Things Australia CEO Jess Wilson.
“As Australia accelerates digital transformation and AI adoption, we need to make sure people are not left behind by the very systems designed to improve their lives.”
The Budget also invests in major reforms to digital government services. Updates to myGov functionality and a “tell us once” approach through Digital ID have the potential to make services easier to use and more accessible, but these reforms will only work equitably if people have the affordable technology, support, confidence and capability to use them.
“Every new digital system must come with support for the people expected to use it,” said Jess.
“That includes people with low digital confidence, people with disability, older Australians, low income households, migrant and refugee communities, First Nations communities and people living in regional Australia.”
The Budget’s investment in AI highlights both opportunity and risk. Safe and equitable AI adoption requires investment in AI literacy and digital capability so all Australians can engage confidently with rapidly changing technology and AI enabled systems.
We are concerned the Budget does not deliver the scale of direct digital inclusion support needed for people already missing out.
There is no continued Commonwealth investment in Digital Sisters, our community led program supporting migrant and refugee women to build digital skills, confidence and social connection. Through 55 community organisations across Australia, Digital Sisters has supported more than 5,000 women to participate more independently in digital life.
“This program has helped women build confidence, access services, support their families, participate in work and education, and stay safer online,” said Jess.
“It is exactly the kind of trusted community based support Australia needs more of as technology changes rapidly.”
There is also no continued funding announcement for the Regional Tech Hub, delivered by National Farmers Federation, which supported 75 regional people per day to get critical digital connectivity advice. This will see Government funding for this service end in June 2026.
We are also concerned about aspects of the previously announced NDIS reforms. With the focus on improving registration of providers through a new digital system, digital inclusion needs to recognised as necessary to participate in the NDIS. Opportunities to learn must be embedded within future Foundational Supports funding. As disability services, communication, education and everyday systems become increasingly digital, people with disability need accessible technology, digital skills and trusted support to participate safely and confidently. Programs such as Digital Champions demonstrate how digital inclusion initiatives led by people with lived experience, can support long term participation and inclusion.
Cost of living remains a central Budget focus. But, the cost of being online was not addressed. Our research shows cost of living pressures have affected 1 in 2 Australians’ ability to get online, with 1 in 6 making difficult choices between internet bills and essentials like food and housing.
We welcome the Government’s recent endorsement for the development of a Technology Reuse for Good Charter – a joint initiative between Government, Good Things Australia, Work Ventures and the Business Council of Australia. This is a step in the right direction towards improving access to affordable devices while reducing eWaste. However, long term investment and coordinated national action is still needed to support initiatives like the National Device Bank and ensure everyone can access the technology they need to participate fully in modern life.
“Affordable connectivity and access to devices are now essential to everyday life,” said Jess.
“No one should be locked out of work, study, healthcare, government services or social connection because they cannot afford the technology needed to participate.”
Long term investment in digital inclusion delivers social and economic benefits. Our economic modelling shows investment in digital inclusion programs for highly excluded Australians could deliver at least half a billion dollars in annual economic benefit.
“Digital inclusion is a critical enabler of Australia’s productivity, equity, service delivery, wellbeing and safe technology adoption,” said Jess.
“To build a resilient digital economy and society, we need to invest more in the people most at risk of being left behind.”