Improving the national collection of data on First Nations digital inclusion

Overview

Improving the national collection of data on First Nations digital inclusion is a one-off ad hoc grant opportunity to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT University), with up to $6 million (GST exclusive) available for this grant. The grant opportunity will be administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA). The purpose of the grant is to expand and improve the national collection of data and associated reporting on First Nations digital inclusion, by increasing the scope and sample size of the Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII), that will: ·     build on current levels of data collection by including increased urban and regional data samples, and additional samples in remote locations; ·     create an Index of First Nations digital inclusion to provide a more robust measure of the national digital inclusion gap; and ·     assist in developing a better understanding of the current scale of the gap and measure progress towards achieving Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (CTG): By 2026, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal levels of digital inclusion. The grant will also provide a stronger evidence base for policy development and progress towards Outcome 17 of the National Agreement on CTG: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to information and services enabling participation in informed decision-making regarding their own lives. The purpose of this grant is also consistent with recommendations made to the Australian Government by the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group in its initial report of October 2023 (Recommendations 2.1 and 2.5), particularly on the need to measure progress towards, and achievement of, CTG Target 17.