Marist180 x Optus: The hidden cost of disconnection

When Australians think about connectivity, they often think about convenience. Streaming a movie. Joining a Teams meeting. Checking emails on the move. But for many vulnerable Australians, connectivity isn't a convenience at all. It's a lifeline.

Today, access to education, employment, government services, healthcare and community increasingly begins with the ability to get online. Yet for many people facing social and economic disadvantage, that access cannot be taken for granted.

For organisations working on the frontlines of community support, digital inclusion has become one of the most important challenges, and opportunities, of our time.

Digital exclusion is often discussed in terms of technology. But its impact is deeply human. Without access to reliable connectivity, people can struggle to engage with education, apply for jobs, access essential government services, maintain family relationships or participate fully in society.

For young people already navigating challenges such as homelessness, trauma, family breakdown, displacement or cultural disconnection, these barriers can become even more significant.

As Patrick O'Reilly, Director of Mission, Inclusion and Identity at Marist180, explains: "For some young people, getting online can be the difference between meeting bail conditions or not, between staying connected or falling further behind."

It is a powerful reminder that digital inclusion is about more than access to technology. It is about access to opportunity.

For more than 130 years, Marist180 has supported young people facing some of life's most difficult circumstances. Today, the organisation supports more than 650 young people annually across more than 70 homes and programs spanning NSW, the ACT and Queensland.

Their work includes supporting young people experiencing homelessness, those in out-of-home care, First Nations young people reconnecting with culture and community, and newly arrived refugee children and young people seeking belonging and stability.

Across every aspect of this work, connectivity plays a critical role. Reliable access to mobile and internet services helps young people participate in education, access support services, apply for employment opportunities, maintain cultural and family connections, and build the confidence and independence needed for the future.

It also helps frontline staff coordinate care, manage critical incidents and stay connected in moments where safety is paramount. As O'Reilly notes: "Internet, mobile, data, it's all absolutely vital to how we operate. These aren't extras. They are bedrock for the safety of staff and young people."

This is why connectivity should increasingly be viewed as critical social infrastructure, not simply technology infrastructure.

Addressing digital inclusion is not the responsibility of any one organisation. It requires collaboration between government, community organisations and businesses working together toward a common goal.

For nearly a decade, Optus has partnered with Marist180 to support its mission through mobile and internet services, Donate Your Data initiatives, dedicated account management and broader community support programs. The impact extends beyond connectivity alone.

Through initiatives such as Donate Your Data, young people experiencing homelessness can access essential digital services without the added pressure of mobile data costs. Connectivity also enables Marist180's Youth Advisory Forum, helping young people across different regions connect, share experiences and contribute to shaping services designed to support them.

These are practical examples of how technology, when paired with purpose, can help create meaningful social outcomes.

As Australia continues its digital transformation, access to connectivity will only become more important.

The ability to learn, work, connect and participate increasingly depends on access to digital tools and services. Yet the benefits of digital transformation can only be realised if everyone has the opportunity to participate. That is why digital inclusion should remain a priority for businesses, policymakers and community organisations alike.

At Optus, we believe technology is at its most powerful when it helps people unlock possibility. The story of Marist180 demonstrates that connectivity doesn't just enable communication. It enables education. It enables opportunity. It enables belonging. And, in many cases, it enables better futures. Because sometimes, the most important connections are the ones that help people realise who they can become.

Read the full Marist180 customer story and discover how connectivity is helping create safer, more connected futures for young people.