Technology
Brisbane Digital Literacy Programs Offer Access but Highlight Safety and Equity Concerns
Free workshops and recycled devices expand skills training across the city while programs address scam risks and support for seniors and First Nations residents.
How we reported this
Brisbane City Council Libraries run free Tech Connect workshops that teach device use, software navigation and coding through platforms such as Codecademy and Khan Academy for residents of all ages.
These initiatives arrive as more daily services move online, leaving some older adults and people on low incomes at risk of exclusion from banking, government forms and job applications. The Australian government extended its Be Connected program to June 2028 to supply online safety and scam-avoidance lessons for those aged 50 and over, with access available through the council library network.
Local organisations fill gaps in hardware and training
Substation33 in Logan refurbishes computers for students and distributes them across greater Brisbane. Brisbane Seniors Online, a volunteer not-for-profit, supplies in-person tablet and smartphone lessons to seniors in the same region. The State Library of Queensland grants members access to the Good Things Learning platform and runs separate sessions for First Nations people who have had limited prior digital experience.
The Digital Literacy Foundation pairs volunteers with individuals facing disadvantage for one-on-one Tech Mate support. These efforts sit alongside the federal Be Connected resources that focus on device basics and avoiding online fraud.
Ethical and access questions remain
While the programs deliver concrete training, questions persist about consistent internet quality in outer suburbs and whether recycled devices can keep pace with security updates. Be Connected materials stress scam avoidance because older users remain frequent targets, yet participation still depends on awareness of the free sessions offered at libraries and the State Library.
Residents can locate current Tech Connect sessions through the Brisbane City Council Libraries website, request membership at the State Library of Queensland for Good Things Learning courses, or contact Brisbane Seniors Online for scheduled in-person classes in the greater Brisbane area. Substation33 accepts referrals for refurbished equipment through local schools and community groups.