Access to suitable technology and devices is one of the most significant barriers to digital inclusion across Australia. Through the Be Connected Digital Device Grant, Good Things network partners are providing communities with the reliable devices they need to learn, stay safe online, and remain connected.
Uzma Rubab from Celebrating and Conserving Cultures, who was part of the 2025 round, said: “Programs like this are vital. They provide not only equipment but also dignity, independence, and equal opportunities.”
We recently caught up with three of our active Digital Device network partners to hear how this program is transforming lives in their communities.
Empowering the Pakistani Community: Celebrating and Conserving Cultures
For Uzma Rubab at Celebrating and Conserving Cultures, the digital divide is a pressing issue for the Pakistani community, particularly for women, seniors, new migrants, and low-income families. Many rely on basic smartphones, making it difficult to navigate essential services like MyGov or Medicare, while language barriers further reduce their confidence.
Through the grant, Celebrating and Conserving Cultures distributed devices to those with the highest need, pairing the technology with introduction sessions on online safety, email, and video calling.
“The impact has been deeply meaningful,” Uzma shares. “One senior woman told us she can now video call her children and grandchildren in Pakistan every day, which has reduced her loneliness and improved her emotional wellbeing”. Another participant used her device to attend online English classes from home and has since begun volunteering in her community.
Supporting Regional and Remote Australians: Creative Bytes Inc.
Stewart McMillan and Heath Gilham, Lead Digital Mentors at Creative Bytes Inc., deliver the Be Connected Young Digital Mentors Program in regional and remote areas. They noticed that many older Australians were relying on shared or outdated devices at libraries, which restricted their ability to practice new skills at home.
To address this, Creative Bytes applied to the Digital Device Grant to embed device access into their community-based delivery model, partnering with local libraries like Charters Towers to manage bookings and device loans.
Having a dedicated device has helped participants move from hesitation to confidence quickly. Stewart and Heath recall one participant in regional Queensland who had never owned a tablet and relied on a family member’s phone to contact her grandchildren. After receiving a device and dedicated support, she learned to use video calling apps to communicate with her interstate family, noting that she is finally “feeling part of everyday life again”.
Try Before You Buy: Balwyn Evergreen Centre
For older people, buying a new piece of technology can be an intimidating investment. Tina Hogarth-Clarke, Chief Executive Officer at Balwyn Evergreen Centre, used the Be Connected grant to create a safe, supportive device library where older people can test out Samsungs, iPhones, iPads, and laptops before making a purchase.
This hands-on support is crucial for older Australians who need to access telehealth, MyGov, online banking, and Zoom classes. Tina highlights the story of a client whose telecommunications provider told her that her phone was too old to be supported. Feeling overwhelmed, the client came to Balwyn Evergreen Centre to test different options.
“She chose an iPhone in the end and changed her desktop computer to an iPad because it was easier to access Zoom webinars on it,” Tina explains. With her new devices, the client downloaded the MyGov app, easily accessed her Medicare details, and now regularly attends online courses via Zoom.
As Tina notes, many older Australians only started using computers when they were forced to by banks or government services. Programs like the Digital Device Grant ensure that community organisations can offer the free, ongoing, and trustworthy tech support that is so essential for building digital confidence and independence.
The Digital Device grant 2026/27 is now open for community organisations delivering other Be Connected programs. Apply for this grant before 2 April 2026