Canberra is one of Australia’s wealthiest and most educated cities, but sending children back to school is causing deep anxiety for families who cannot afford essentials such as laptops, uniforms, and shoes.

Across Australia — including in the ACT — one in six children live in poverty, and disadvantaged children can be five years behind their peers in literacy and numeracy.

The Smith Family today launched its 2026 Back to School Appeal, hoping to secure 3,500 new sponsors to help more children in need through its Learning for Life scholarship program.

The program provides financial support for school essentials such as shoes, bags, digital devices and uniforms; access to out-of-school-hours learning and mentoring programs; and personal support from a dedicated Smith Family team member throughout a child’s education, from the start of primary school to the end of their tertiary study.

The program supports more than 2,000 Canberra students, and The Smith Family works with 40 ACT schools to deliver a suite of programs, including Learning for Life.

“The start of the school year is a pivotal time to set children up with the tools they need to make the most of their education,” CEO Doug Taylor said.

“We’re calling on those generous Australians who can, to give a child in need the support to reach their full potential and create a better future for themselves.”

The charity’s surveys show that more than 80 per cent of families they support worry their children will miss out on digital devices (56 per cent); educational activities outside school (43.9 per cent); shoes and uniforms (40.8 per cent); school excursions (35.8 per cent); exercise books and stationery (20.6 per cent); and internet access for schoolwork (20.5 per cent).

Not having everything needed for school can have serious, wide-ranging implications for children, Mr Taylor said.

“From the moment students step through the school gate on their first day, not having the correct shoes or uniform can make them feel different and severely impact their confidence.

“Meanwhile, lack of access to items such as digital devices — which are now essential, particularly for high school — often leaves students unable to fully participate in their education today and locks them out of the workforce tomorrow.”

Olga Srbovski, NSW/ACT Regional Programs Manager, argued that digital access was fundamental.

“Laptops are now as important as books and pencils were a generation ago,” she said.

“The reliance on digital-based learning has increased tremendously, so those students without access to a personal device or a reliable home internet really struggle to keep up with their peers.

“That is particularly concerning given that students experiencing disadvantage are more prone to falling behind their peers in terms of academic outcomes already. Last year’s NAPLAN results found, at a national level, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds were 10 times more likely to need additional support in literacy and numeracy compared to their peers from high socioeconomic backgrounds.”

The Smith Family is committed to ensuring every Learning for Life family is digitally connected.

Over the last seven years, the organisation has distributed more than 14,000 laptops to families, but 44 per cent of students still do not have access to a laptop or tablet in a household with mobile or broadband internet.

In a separate survey, 93 per cent of parents reported that the digital support received helped their children with schooling.

To donate or sponsor visit thesmithfamily.com.au/sponsor-a-child

“There are two options people have: one, to bury their heads in the sand; or two, to take action,” Ms Srbovski said.

“By becoming a Learning for Life sponsor, you can give a student experiencing disadvantage the opportunity to make the most of their education. It’s more than a sponsorship — it’s a lifeline.”