- WA Government releases Digital Inclusion in WA Blueprint
- Blueprint set to secure a digitally inclusive future for Western Australians
- The Blueprint Implementation Program takes the first steps to make WA a more digitally inclusive State
The McGowan Government has launched a blueprint to make digital technology and accessing online services easier for all Western Australians.
Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson has released the Digital Inclusion in WA Blueprint which outlines the Government's aims and strategic approach to address digital disadvantage across the State.
Digital inclusion aims to give people of all ages, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, abilities, income levels, and locations, the skills and tools to access and engage with digital technology and online services.
As part of the Digital Inclusion in WA Blueprint there will be a multi-million dollar upgrade to improve online services at regional sites across the State.
A Digital Inclusion Partnership Framework will be implemented to facilitate co-investment opportunities amongst the community services sector, industry, government and the wider community to address the key barriers to digital inclusion - connectivity, affordability, skills and the design of digital services.
A Blueprint Implementation Program has been developed to support the blueprint, initially this will provide:
- $25.5 million under Commonwealth, State and industry programs to deliver new and improved connectivity at 55 locations across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Esperance and Mid-West regions;
- upskilling and support for school leaders and teachers to implement sustainable teaching and learning practice in STEM;
- Western Australian Council of Social Service led initiative, funded through a $3.9 million Lotterywest grant that aims to improve digital skills, knowledge and capability needs for frontline-community service workers and digitally disadvantaged people in WA metropolitan and regional locations; and
- improved access to public health services through the establishment of partnerships with Aboriginal Medical Services in regional locations in WA.
To learn more about the Digital Inclusion approach, including the Implementation Program and the Digital Inclusion Partnership Framework, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/office-of-digital-government/digital-inclusion
The Government will update initiatives to address digital inclusion through the Digital Strategy Roadmap, available here https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/office-of-digital-government/digital-strategy-roadmap-2022-january
As stated by the Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Bridging the digital divide across Western Australia is a priority for me as the Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy. The launch of the Digital Inclusion in WA Blueprint is an important platform and a significant step towards achieving this goal.
"The McGowan Government is working to ensure all Western Australians can access and use digital technologies, no matter their age, background or where they live.
"This whole-of-government blueprint provides a centralised and coordinated approach to address issues of digital inequity in partnership with the community, community services sector, libraries and industry.
"I look forward to seeing more Western Australians enjoying the benefits offered by technology as we work together, with support from businesses like West Tech Assemblage, to empower everyone to be digitally included."
