Optus Donate your Data helping students experiencing disadvantage

These days access to the internet is a requirement for most students to complete their coursework. Unfortunately, not everyone has regular online access which can put them at a disadvantage.

Optus, working with partners like The Smith Family is helping people experiencing disadvantaged access to the internet through the Donate your Data^TM program.
 

How it works

The initiative enables Optus customers with an eligible mobile plan to donate some of their data.

Donate a portion of your monthly data allowance if you're an eligible Optus customer with one of the options below.

On a plan

Customers can donate data via My Optus app, tap the banner and then use the slider at the bottom of the screen to donate any remaining data before the end of the month. If they want to donate again in the future, they can simply donate from their remaining data.

Prepaid

Education is increasingly reliant on the internet, and without it, some young people are unable to access the same resources and opportunities as the rest of Australia.

If you’re on an eligible Optus Prepaid plan, simply SMS the word 'donate' to 4567 to receive instructions on how to donate.

Available to eligible Postpaid & Prepaid mobile customers only. Donation not reversible

Kaylee’s story

Optus has helped 44,452 [31 January 2024] Australians in needs through Donate your Data^TM including 16-year-old Kaylee, a The Smith Family participant who has always been intrigued by the sciences, and she dreams of going to university and becoming a paediatric nurse. But when lack of access to a reliable internet connection at home meant that Kaylee was struggling to access and submit her homework, she began to doubt her dream.

Kaylee and her mum, Heather, have experienced first-hand the positive impact that reliable internet access can have on a child’s education. Support from The Smith Family and the Optus Donate Your Data^TM initiative has helped Kaylee catch up at school and keep her career goals in focus.

“Throughout my experience, I've learnt that money can't always buy happiness,” Kaylee says. “But seeing other kids have the things I never had at school growing up made me feel excluded.

“The Smith Family changed things for myself and my family. With The Smith Family supporting my education, I get a lot of new opportunities in school – I get the support I need and seek.  

“Before I had the help from Optus Donate Your Data, I wouldn’t be able to complete my homework on time because I didn’t have a good internet connection. That’s why the free internet has been amazing, because no matter where I am, I'm able to do my homework on time. It's more convenient as I can just pull out my phone and get to work. It's been a huge help with my schoolwork and homework.

“The free calls and texts have helped too. Now, if I'm running late, I can keep in contact with my friends and family – whereas before, no one would have had a way of knowing my whereabouts.

“I’d like to say thank you so much to Optus and The Smith Family, for the help with my schoolwork and homework.”

Optus Donate your Data

Power their potential. It starts with a little of your extra data.

Find out more about Optus Donate your Data