Tech Savvy Seniors

Supporting older people in NSW with access to low-cost or free digital literacy training

This NSW Government initiative, in partnership with Telstra, provides low cost or free training sessions for older people to build confidence using online services. The low-cost or free digital literacy training at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels includes the use of computers, tablets, smartphones and online applications such as email, social media and cyber safety. Digital inclusion helps seniors to be active and independent members of their immediate and broader communities.

Achievements

The program was launched in July 2012, with over 119,000 training places offered to seniors across NSW. The program objectives are to increase digital inclusion and access to information and services for seniors in NSW.

Engagement

Tech Savvy Seniors, a partnership between Telstra and the NSW Government, uses Culture Counts for digital evaluation to assess digital and social inclusion outcomes in ageing communities. The methodology includes online surveys to reinforce course learnings and capture immediate, short-term, and long-term outcomes. Of 2,072 seniors trained in languages other than English, almost 600 completed surveys, with 84% feeling confident with digital technologies and 73% able to explain them to others.

Department leading the project

NSW Department of Communities and Justice