Addressing Australia's digital divide

This week we will find out how Australia is addressing the digital divide, with the release of the 2021 Australian Digital Inclusion Index. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society at RMIT, the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne and Telstra will be sharing the first findings to gain insights for better digital inclusion programs, and take a first look at the new dashboards which will put the Index data in public hands.  

According to the Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) there are three key dimensions of digital inclusion: access, affordability, and digital ability. The ADII has been measuring the level of digital inclusion across the Australian population, and to monitor this level since 2016. It shows how these dimensions change over time, according to people's social and economic circumstances, as well as across geographic locations.

Coinciding with DIF2021 the Victorian Government was undertaking a public consultation to help understand the places where prioritizing better mobile and broadband connectivity is needed across the state. Part of the $550 million  Connecting Victoria program which is creating more jobs, boosting local businesses and connecting more Victorians.

It’s never been more important to be connected – for family, community, work and safety and was a theme across this year’s Digital Innovation Festival’s digital inclusion and community public sector program. The issue of accessibility to affordable internet was raised across council areas and the important role that libraries play in providing access for students. 

Public libraries connecting communities through digital innovation

A highlight of DIF2021, the Committee for Melbourne hosted a forum with member Public Libraries Victoria (PLV), to explore the digital community within our libraries, and to strengthen collaboration and information sharing. 

A selection of local libraries were given the opportunity to showcase their use of innovative IT and to provide examples of community and stakeholder engagement, outreach, and partnerships. The event provided Victoria’s local libraries with a platform to connect with the broader community, to help make our libraries the best they can be.

“Public libraries play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide. As well as providing free access to wi-fi, computers and other devices, library staff provide training and support to help community members navigate our increasingly online lives.” Said Angela Savage, CEO, Public Libraries Victoria.

Every community is a little bit different, but our libraries have many things in common. By sharing resources and showing how libraries change lives, there is more to invest back into the services that library members value so much. 

PLV provide a forum for the discussion of specialist services and issues faced by our libraries and community. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) foster collaboration and the sharing of information and the ICT SIG members were excited to share their experiences.

The DIF2021 Festival provided an opportunity to highlight the important work undertaken by libraries to address digital inclusion to a broader audience outside of the PLV network thanks to the partnership with the Committee for Melbourne and the Victorian Government.

Build capability through sharing stories

The showcase saw libraries across the PLV network shared their stories of digital inclusion initiatives and programs they've delivered in partnership with local partners from government, community, and education institutions. 

Moreland Libraries and Moreland City Council with Merri Outreach Support Service seek to decrease the digital divide. M Digital Mentor Program worked with members of the local community to become digital mentors for senior residents

Yarra Libraries Internet on the go with their Wifi Cycle (pictured above).Outreach programs in the Collingwood and North Richmond public housing estates during COVID-19 have taken the library to the community.

Melton City Libraries and their local partner Western BACE, shared young people in Melbourne’s West aged 17-25, for STEM Careers Taster Program

Monash Libraries Helen Casey shared their experience of the Digital Springboard program by Infoxchange and Google to help people learn the digital skills they need to thrive in work and life.

Yarra Plenty Regional Library featured their Learning Library in Lalor. The learning library features a collection of STEM and robotics equipment suitable for children aged 6–14. It is made available to members after school or during the library’s specific STEM programs and events.

The Public Libraries Forum was sponsored by the Victorian Government as part of the DIF2021 Festival. See the Media Release for further details. 

Road to recovery

“As part of our COVID-19 Road to Recovery journey, Committee for Melbourne and its members have learnt that it is more important than ever to have a digitally connected and resilient community, and the role of our libraries in placemaking and digital connectivity has become critical”,  said Martine Letts, CEO, Committee for Melbourne.

Committee for Melbourne (the Committee) works towards shaping a better future for Greater Melbourne. Together with our members, we make a difference by challenging the status quo and encouraging thought leadership to create change through confident and influential advocacy. With over 150 member organisations drawn from across Greater Melbourne’s major corporations, small and medium businesses, academic institutions, local government, and not-for-profit entities, the Committee is an active connector. 

The Committee’s work embraces four key pillars: Future Economy, Infrastructure, Urban Optimisation and Liveability. Working with, and on behalf of our members, the Committee aims to ensure Melbourne’s challenges and opportunities are addressed in ways that keep our city vital, inclusive, progressive and sustainable. As a not-for-profit, member-funded entity, the Committee is politically independent and impartial. This allows us to freely and purposefully raise issues of importance to the growth and development of Greater Melbourne. 

DIF reaches out to individuals and communities in all sectors to stimulate awareness of technology. DIF aims to ensure technological innovations support social inclusion. DIF supports gender and cultural diversity, providing space for underrepresented voices. View all Digital Inclusion events here.