Telstra: Empowering communities through technology

Communities and technology

We want to make sure every customer, from every background, has the tools and skills to take part in the online community.

Cyber security and safety

It's a team effort. We work hard to keep our networks safe but there are some really important things you need to do to keep your data private and stay safe from scams.

SCAM REPORTING

Helping you fight SMS and MMS scams

We’re helping all customers on the Telstra network join the fight against scammers by reporting SMS and MMS scams to a national phone number.

We'll help you keep your data private

It's such a quick and simple process to keep your personal information safe, it'll become second nature in no time. Let us show you how. 

ACCOUNT PROTECTION

Simple security steps

SCAM AWARENESS

How to spot a scam call

CYBER BASICS

Staying safe online

Communities

Everyone deserves to experience the benefits of being online, even for the most essential things like, connecting with family and friends and accessing key services.

Helped over 1.9M customers in vulnerable circumstances stay connected

No matter your circumstances, we're here to help you stay connected. 

We've helped over 1.9M customers experiencing vulnerable circumstances stay connected. Their situations could include domestic violence, illness, mental health issues, natural disasters, financial hardship or disability. They may speak languages other than English or live remotely. 

We assisted these customers in the 2025 financial year.

Where to find help

If you or someone you know is in a difficult situation, we'll do everything we can to help you stay connected.

DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE HELP

Keeping you safely connected

If you're experiencing or have left a domestic or family violence situation, we can help.

ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION 

Living with a disability

Almost 1 in 5 Australians identify as living with disability. So, we're committed to ensuring our products are accessible and inclusive of everyone. 

DISASTER RELIEF

Staying connected when you need it most

We offer immediate support during a disaster and support during your disaster recovery.

Payment assistance

Helping you when times are tough

Depending on your level of urgency, we have flexible options that can help keep you connected.

Chief Customer Advocate

Providing an independent voice, championing customers in vulnerable circumstances, and holding Telstra to account.

Regional and remote customers

CONNECTING YOU

We expanded our regional coverage by 360,000 km²

We connect Aussies from Broome to Bendigo - and every other corner of our beautiful country. 

We've more than tripled our goal of 100,000km² additional regional coverage since FY21.

Connecting the remotest corners of Australia

Across remote and regional Australia, we're harnessing technology to connect people.

CONNECTING REMOTE AUSTRALIA

Better connectivity

We're committed to delivering world class communications for regional, rural and remote Australia. We've joined forces with a leading satellite provider to improve existing connectivity.

PROMOTING INCLUSION

Creating connected communities

We’re giving Australia’s remote and rural communities a $600K boost to foster inclusion and resilience.

KEEPING THINGS LOCAL

Our call centres

Most of our call centres are back on Australian soil. All Telstra stores are now owned and run by us (and managed by locals), we have dedicated teams working in regional cities and First Nations call centres.

Building digital skills

It's one thing to be better connected but things really come to life when you have the right skills.

LEARNING DIGITAL SKILLS

Over 677,000 Aussies improved their digital skills

We're committed to helping Aussies build their digital skills and confidence so they can take part in the online world.

Since FY21.

Digital Inclusion at Telstra

About this video

A summary of Telstra’s Digital Inclusion work and Connected Future 30 target.

[Soft background music.]

[Audio: Female State Government Program Partner speaking]

It's these small things that make such an impact on people's lives.

[Telstra logo animation. Montage of people using digital devices.] 

At Telstra, we're building a connected future.

That's why we're supporting the digital inclusion of 1 million people by FY30.

[Footage of a regional library. People gathered around computers.]

The last two years I've been going out and visiting libraries that are running the tech savvy programmes and I'm just blown away. 

Their enthusiasm for it and the enthusiasm from the public or the participants, they're all there to learn because they realise the importance of being involved.

Particularly in the regional areas, there's nothing. These are small towns, so the library is the hub.

[Audio: Male Tech Savvy Seniors Community Partner speaking]

The Tech Savvy Seniors programme is a partnership between the State Library NSW, Telstra and also local councils. 

[Instructor using a laptop]

The goal of Tech Savvy Seniors is just to enhance digital ability and confidence in using technology in general.

[Instructor drawing on whiteboard with Telstra logo animation]

I think it's so important. It's crucial to be digitally connected. 

I think enhancing technologies, it's so easy to fall behind the new digital age. It is a bit scary.

So programmes like Tech Savvy Seniors are so important in doing that. I think that really they're crucial to keeping the attendees connected to the wider society.

[Montage: people using smartphones, video calling family. Participants laughing, holding up their phones.]

Everybody's so happy. And a lot of comments too. 

"I'm so excited to be able to learn how to bank online, how to send a photo, how to take a photo, how to turn the phone on."

And a lot about cyber safety too. That seems to be coming up more and more.

[Montage of Tech Savvy Seniors participants during their classes, receiving certificates, smiling]

If we're not in touch with the real world, we're just not in it. 

It's really enriching people's lives once again, particularly in the rural and regional areas. It's really offering something that hasn't been there for a long time.

[Audio: Telstra Field Technican]

My role in the programme is to arrive on site when the customer has a fault of any sort and answer any questions they might have.

[Woman using a phone to take a photo. Telstra animation in the background. People using computer] 

Even if I'm fixing a payphone, fixing up the Wi-Fi, we're helping them with how to do emails, how to get onto Telstra 24/7 app.

[Footage of a woman walking towards and then using the wi-fi at a Telstra payphone]

Especially during disaster times, they always need help, even if it's just giving them free data.

Customers need that ability to call and connect with family to make sure that everyone's OK. 

That's what we're here for, to advance everyone's knowledge in the digital world.

[Montage of people using laptops and phones. Telstra logo. Uplifting music.]

At Telstra, we know connection changes lives. We're here to empower communities and to create opportunities for everyone.

[End with Telstra logo] 

Our initiatives

CODE CLUB AUSTRALIA

Teaching young people

Telstra Foundation runs Code Club Australia, supporting schools and libraries to teach coding basics.

TECHY SAVVY SENIORS

A life of continuous learning

Our Tech Savvy Seniors Program helps older Aussies build their skills to use computers, tablets and smartphones with confidence.  

DIGITAL INCLUSION INDEX

Equal access for everyone

Digital inclusion is about helping make sure everyone benefits from technology.    

Bigger Picture 2025 Sustainability Report, cover

report

Bigger Picture Sustainability Report

Where we're making the biggest impacts. 

Image of a man and his elderly mother looking at a computer tablet. There is a white text overlay on the image: Tech Savvy Seniors Report 2022 and a Telstra logo.

REPORT

Tech Savvy Seniors

Delivered in partnership with the NSW government and offered in 14 languages. 

Modern Slavery Act Statement 2025, cover

report

Modern Slavery Act Statement

How we manage and mitigate the specific risks of modern slavery in our operations and supply chains.

*Our Modern Slavery Act Statement has been submitted to the Australian Modern Slavery Statements Register and is in the process of review and publication.

How we're connecting communities

Our newsletter keeps you in the know about how we're using tech to connect more communities in Australia, act on climate change—and how you can do your part.

Rather get in touch? Let's get you connected

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