Government launches Tech Reuse for Good Charter to close digital divide

The Australian Government has signed the Tech Reuse for Good Charter, a voluntary initiative aimed at redirecting surplus business devices to Australians experiencing digital exclusion, including low-income families, students, First Nations Australians and survivors of domestic violence.

The charter was signed by Andrew Charlton, assistant minister for science, technology and the digital economy, and is led by the Business Council of Australia, WorkVentures and Good Things Australia in partnership with the Australian Government.

The initiative encourages organisations to donate surplus digital devices before the end of their practical life rather than retiring them early as e-waste. The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources is a founding signatory.

According to the government, one in five Australians experience digital exclusion, with lack of access to devices a key barrier to participating in the digital economy. The charter aims to build a coordinated and scalable reuse ecosystem to address that gap.

Refurbished devices redistributed under the charter are intended to improve access to education, employment, healthcare and essential services.

The initiative also complements the National Device Reuse Principles - a nationally consistent framework for federal, state and territory governments - and supports recommendations from the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap: 2026 and Beyond.

Founding signatories from the private sector include Aussie Broadband, Deloitte, KPMG, NBN Co, Optus, TasNetworks, Telstra, Telstra Foundation, AMP, the Business Council of Australia and Westpac.

"Access to technology and being connected is not a nice to have for people anymore - it's an essential part of everyday life," said Anika Wells, minister for communications.

"Connectivity is so important for all Australians and it means they can stay in touch with loved ones, have better access to telehealth, education and other government and community services and programs."