The Program aims to help seniors to get connected and participate in the online world, with the objective of increasing digital inclusion, helping reduce social isolation, increasing access to government information and services via the internet, and improving awareness and resilience to online fraud and financial abuse.
32 Queensland Local Government library services and Indigenous Knowledge Centres were successful in receiving grant funding to deliver the 2020 Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program in their council region.
COVID-19 restrictions delayed the start of the program across the state, but as restrictions ease it will be up to each participating Local Government to determine when it is safe to commence their program. You can download the list of participating library services and Indigenous Knowledge Centres with their contact details below.
Telstra - Program partner
Telstra’s Tech Savvy Seniors program was designed to support older people get connected, and participate in the ever increasing online world, with the real objective of increasing digital inclusion amongst the ageing, and helping reduce social isolation. The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program is an ongoing partnership between the Queensland Government (led by State Library of Queensland) and Telstra.
Telstra is committed to ensuring that everyone can benefit from being online and connected to the digital world and they also partner with New South Wales, Victoria and South Australian Governments to deliver the Tech Savvy Seniors program.
Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors - Program partner
The Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors has supported the Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program over the last four years.
The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program supports the Queensland Government’s Queensland: an age-friendly community – Strategic direction statement, and supports the Queensland Government to address digital inclusion issues raised in the 2019 Australian Digital Inclusion Index – the 65+ age group recorded the lowest score of all the Queensland age cohorts.
Participating Queensland Local Governments - Program delivery
The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program is an ongoing partnership between the Queensland Government led by State Library of Queensland, and Telstra.
The 2020 program is currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions, but once restrictions ease further, the program will be delivered through 32 Queensland Local Government library services and Indigenous Knowledge Centres and will provide seniors with the opportunity to participate in free digital technology training sessions that will develop their skills and confidence to use technology.
Queensland public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres are an important all-age friendly community resource provided by Councils which support intergenerational cohesion through diverse activities and programs that promote literacy, social inclusion and lifelong learning.
They provide a welcoming, safe environment to exchange knowledge, information and culture across many generations and they play a key role in the digital literacy learning ecology. They also provide an informal, non-academic and non-judgmental environment for everyone in the community, including seniors, to learn, play and create.
The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program continues to lift the profile and value of public library and IKC services for seniors and continues to supports Councils to explore effective ways to plan for positive ageing in their communities.
‘One of the gentlemen who attended our Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland class this morning would like to send along his appreciation: for the class itself, for being given the opportunity to step out of the 'dark ages', for the amazing trainer who explained things patiently in a clear and concise manner and for the person who designed the sessions. In general just a giant thank you to everyone involved. Before the Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program started he always felt like there was no real support for someone of his advanced age, who had never interacted with a computer before, now he has that chance and he is very grateful.’
Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland video
Additional support materials from Telstra
What are you interested in learning more about?
Other tech training programs and providers
There are several other training opportunities, training providers and seniors computer clubs that are equally committed to supporting older adults get online.