Helping People Stay Connected to What Matters Most
Supporting older Australians to build the connection, confidence and independence needed to thrive in today’s world.
Technology keeps changing. The things people care about do not: family, friendship, independence, safety and being part of everyday life. Digital Wings begins with those things, and provides the patient, personalised support that helps make them possible.
Proud Be Connected Network Partner, part of the national program helping older Australians build digital confidence.
The Story the Numbers Tell
Did you know Tasmania has the lowest digital ability score of any state in Australia, with older residents (65+) being the most disadvantaged cohort? Roughly 54,000 Tasmanians face high digital exclusion, with low digital literacy, affordability and access to devices limiting participation in everyday services.
Key Digital Literacy Statistics (Tasmanian Seniors):
Key Digital Literacy Statistics
Lowest in the nation: Tasmania has recorded the lowest overall digital inclusion score in Australia for six consecutive years.
Source: Tasmanian Government, Digital Inclusion Review Final Report, citing the Australian Digital Inclusion Index and TasCOSS Digital Inclusion Report 2023.
Lowest digital ability score: Tasmania's Digital Ability score sits at 46.6, the lowest of any state, with older Tasmanians scoring just 29.3.
Source: Tasmanian Government, Digital Inclusion Review Final Report, citing the Australian Digital Inclusion Index.
High exclusion rate: Roughly 54,000 Tasmanians are highly digitally excluded.
Source: Tasmanian Government, Digital Inclusion Review Final Report.
Declining use by age: Internet usage drops steeply with age nationally, from 74.5% of 65 to 74 year olds down to just 26.7% of those 85 and over.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Use of Information Technology by People with Disability, Older People and Primary Carers.
Low confidence, high fear: Only 10% of older Australians feel very confident in their online safety, while 80% are concerned about the security of their personal information online.
Source: Benetas, Digital Inclusion and Cyber Safety Among Australian Seniors Research Study.
Barrier factors: Key barriers for seniors include lack of confidence, cost, and limited technical knowledge.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics; Tasmanian Government Digital Inclusion Review.
Scam impact is real, not just a fear: 17% of older Australians report having been the victim of an online, email or text scam where they lost money.
Source: Benetas, Digital Inclusion and Cyber Safety Among Australian Seniors Research Study.
Reasons seniors don't go online: Among older Australians who don't use the internet, 20.7% cite lack of confidence or knowledge as the reason, separate from lack of interest or access.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Recent scam confidence data (2025): Only 1 in 5 older Australians (19%) say they're not confident identifying a scam at all, while 83% report being worried about scams generally.
Source: The Australian Seniors Scams Report 2025.
· “Can you help me call my daughter?”
· “My tablet won’t connect.”
· “I forgot my password.”
· “How do I open this message?”
· “Where are my photos?”
· “How do I join the telehealth appointment?”
· “Is this message a scam?”
· “Can you help me use FaceTime?”
Digital Wings’ Solution
Digital Wings provides Digital Participation Support as a Service, designed specifically for aged care environments. The service offers structured, ongoing support that helps residents build confidence, stay connected and engage more independently with everyday technology, delivered through regular scheduled sessions that reinforce learning over time and give residents consistent opportunities to practice new skills.
Sessions are delivered on-site in a group format, using skilled mentors and mature-level guidance to create a comfortable, accessible learning environment.
Residents are supported with the everyday digital tasks that matter most to their independence and wellbeing, from video calls with family to messages, photos, apps and basic device confidence. This extends to essential online services such as MyGov, My Aged Care, Medicare and telehealth appointments, alongside a strong focus on online safety and scam awareness, helping residents recognise common risks and use technology with greater confidence and security.
By providing a consistent and trusted support pathway, Digital Wings also helps reduce the number of repeated "Can you help me with my phone?" requests directed to care, lifestyle and administration staff.
Connection. Confidence. Independence.
Connection — to family, friends, community and the services that matter.
Confidence — to try, ask questions, recognise risks and keep learning.
Independence — to do more safely, in a person’s own way and at their own pace.
What We Help With
Reducing the digital burden on staff
Supporting resident independence
Connecting residents with family and services
Making digital simple and accessible
“Based on a 100-resident facility, informal tech support can cost an estimated $93,600 per year in care staff time, time that could be spent on hands-on care instead. (Based on Digital Wings' internal cost modelling: 30 minutes per resident per week at an average carer wage of $36/hour.)”
Technology is the tool. Connection is the goal.
A video call can bring a grandchild into the room. A photograph can restore someone to a family moment. A secure online account can make an essential service easier to reach.
Digital Wings provides respectful, practical assistance built around the outcome a person wants—not the device we think they should use.
Support that starts with the person
Digital Wings offers personalised assistance, small-group experiences and partnership-based programs for older Australians. We help people stay in touch, use everyday devices, access essential services, recognise online risks and take the next step that matters to them.
Small-group digital connection support.
Online confidence, safety and scam awareness.
Support for aged-care and community organisations.
Welcoming regional and community gatherings.
Begin with what matters to you.
Older people and families — patient help with connection, everyday tasks, online safety and confidence.
Aged-care and community organisations — person-centred support that complements care, lifestyle and community services.
Communities and local partners — welcoming, place-based experiences that reach people conventional technology training can miss.
Funders, government and sector partners — practical pilots, collaboration and evidence for a more inclusive future.
Not a technology class. A conversation that opens possibilities.
The Call That Matters Most™ brings older people together through familiar objects, stories, laughter and thoughtful conversation. It creates a gentle way to explore connection, confidence and independence—and to notice the call, photograph, message or next step that may matter most.
Nana and Papa helped us see the missing half.
Edna and Bob showed us that access to technology is only half the answer. The other half is having someone patient enough to listen, understand what matters and help without taking over.
Their story became the beginning of Digital Wings.
