The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Social Services
The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
Member for Fenner
Alicia Payne MP
Member for Canberra
David Smith MP
Member for Bean
Connecting people in Canberra this Get Online Week
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
The Albanese Labor Government is supporting digital inclusion and skills for older Australians, with five local organisations in Canberra each receiving $1,000 in funding for Get Online Week.
Across the country, 545 organisations will share in $545,000 to host a Get Online Week event, raising awareness of essential digital skills to help people be safer and more confident online.
Get Online Week runs until 25 October, with events being hosted across the country, including workshops and tutorials, delivered in collaboration with banks, libraries and community organisations.
The below Canberra organisations will be hosting a Get Online Week event to support their work building the confidence, digital skills and online safety of older Australians.
• Canberra Seniors Centre Inc.
• Canberra Burlesque Academy Incorporated
• COTA ACT
• Pakistan Australia Friendship Association
• Support Asian Women's Friendship Association Inc.
Event details for these local events are available on the Get Online Week Event Map.
At these events, older people will be able to pick up skills like spotting scam emails, how to do their banking online, and how video calling and messaging can help them stay connected. Get Online Week has supported 140,000 Australians to date, with 97% saying they learnt something new at a Get Online Week event.
The government is committed to helping older people stay safe and connected online, providing funding of $126 million since Be Connected launched in 2017, unlocking a world of opportunity and accessibility for over 3 million older Australians who have been able to grow their digital skills
More information on the Be Connected program is available on the Department of Social Services website.
To find a Get Online Week Event near you, visit the Get Online Week Event Map on the Good Things Australia website.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
“As the world becomes increasingly digital it is more important than ever to ensure our older Australians are not left behind.
"Whether it's doing your banking, paying your bills or talking to the grandkids interstate, being confident online opens a world of possibilities. But it can be scary taking that first step, especially given the stories we hear about people being scammed.
“With one in four Australians struggling to keep up with essential digital skills, community events like those in Get Online Week are one of the many ways to help build the skills and confidence needed to safely navigate and participate in online spaces."
Quotes attributable to Member for Fenner, Andrew Leigh MP:
“Older Australians should feel safe when they bank, connect and make transactions online.
“Get Online Week is the perfect opportunity for Canberrans to learn how to navigate online services safely and free from scammers.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne MP:
“So much of our lives require us to get online these days – it’s important that everyone can feel safe and confident to engage there.
“This funding will help people to develop the skills to confidently transact and connect safely online.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bean, David Smith MP:
“As more of our services and lives move online, it is crucial that we educate the community on how to engage in these spaces safely, and these programs deliver just that.
“I am proud to be part of a Government working to support those in our community doing this crucial work.”
ENDS