tech
Be Connected: The Digital Literacy Innovation You Need to Know About This Month
The government-backed platform extended through June 2028 delivers free courses on device use and online safety to Queensland residents aged 50 and over.
How we reported this
Be Connected offers free online courses on scams, banking and device use for Australians aged 50 and over, with its funding now extended through June 2028. The initiative runs through the Good Things Foundation and supplies structured modules that Queensland participants can complete at their own pace.
Brisbane maintains a busy technology sector where residents increasingly need basic digital skills to handle banking apps, video calls and government services. Programs that address these gaps help seniors and students avoid isolation and keep up with daily tasks that now occur online.
Local programs in Brisbane and Logan
Brisbane City Council Libraries run free Tech Connect workshops that give one-on-one device help to people of all ages. Brisbane Seniors Online, a volunteer non-profit, delivers computer, tablet and smartphone training aimed at seniors across the greater Brisbane area. Substation33, based in Logan, refurbishes computers and supplies them to students to improve digital access throughout the region. The State Library of Queensland works with Good Things Foundation to host an online learning platform that provides free courses for Queenslanders.
These efforts operate from established public sites such as council libraries and the State Library, allowing residents to attend sessions without travel to distant venues. The combination of in-person workshops and online modules creates multiple entry points for people at different skill levels.
How residents can start
Anyone over 50 can register directly on the Be Connected site for immediate access to the scam-awareness and banking modules. Library users can book a Tech Connect session through the Brisbane City Council Libraries website, while seniors can contact Brisbane Seniors Online for scheduled group classes. Students or families seeking refurbished devices can reach Substation33 through its Logan location to arrange collection.
Participants who complete several modules report greater confidence when handling everyday online tasks. Checking the listed program pages each month shows updated session times and new course releases without any cost to the user.