Funding of $6 million to support RMIT research to measure First Nations digital inclusion

Funding of $6 million to support RMIT research to measure First Nations digital inclusion

The announcement is part of the Australian Government’s plan to invest $68 million to narrow the digital gap by supporting more First Nations communities to access the internet.

The funding will support a new three-year project, led by RMIT University’s ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S), to collect data on the digital inclusion experiences of First Nations people in urban, regional and remote areas across Australia.

Digital inclusion refers to access to communications services and devices, affordability and digital ability. The digital gap is the difference in levels of digital inclusion between First Nations people and national averages across Australia.

With Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap aimed at addressing the uneven levels of digital inclusion amongst First Nations Australians by 2026, ADM+S Director and RMIT Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas said accurate measurement of digital inclusion is needed to track progress.

“There is currently a lack of data to measure the scale and changing nature of digital inclusion amongst First Nations peoples over time,” he said.

“This is largely because First Nations digital inclusion is difficult to capture accurately in national survey approaches.

“Measuring digital inclusion both within and across First Nations communities requires close engagement with the communities themselves, their organisations and leaders.

“It also requires different approaches tailored for urban, regional, rural and remote communities.”

First Nations lead researcher, Associate Professor Heron Loban, said it’s important the research is First Nations led and delivered, while following principles of Indigenous data governance.

“We will be ensuring the data is available to First Nations communities and organisations to use in their own analysis, planning and service delivery,” she said.

Photo of Monica Kerwin, Natika Clayton, Robert Clayton, Shalarna ThorpeThe funding will support a three-year project capturing the digital inclusion experiences of First Nations people.

The project builds on ADM+S’s existing projects supported by industry partner Telstra: Australian Digital Inclusion Index, which measures digital inclusion across Australia, and Mapping the Digital Gap, which focuses on the digital inclusion experiences of First Nations Australians in remote locations.

The national data collection project was announced by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland at the launch of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group’s Roadmap; 2026 and Beyond on 10 December.

The roadmap outlines long-term and community-led strategies for addressing the digital divide and supporting First Nations technological innovation.

RMIT Senior Research Fellow, Dr Daniel Featherstone, said improving digital inclusion and access to services was critically important to ensure informed decision-making and agency among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from digital technologies,” he said.

“We use these technologies to access essential services for health, welfare, finance and education, participate in social and cultural activities, follow news and media, as well as connect with family, friends, and the wider world.”

A second phase of Mapping the Digital Gap, to be conducted in 10 First Nations communities from 2025–28, will contribute remote data to measure Target 17.

 

Story: Shu Shu Zheng

12 December 2024

Share

Return to RMIT News
12 December 2024

Share

  • DSC Research
  • Announcements
  • Indigenous Australia
  • DSC
  • Indigenous
  • Research
  • Media & Communication
Engage

Related News

Co-researcher conducting survey with resident.

Free-to-air TV failures add to data costs for remote First Nations households

Almost two in three respondents surveyed in remote First Nations communities did not have working free-to-air television, a study has found.

aurecon-decade-partner-image1-1220x732px.jpg

Shaping the future of professional practice: 10 years of the RMIT-Aurecon partnership

2026 marks a decade-long collaboration between Aurecon and RMIT University's School of Property, Construction and Project Management, working together to redefine how higher education and industry build professional capability through lifelong learning.

based-abuse-perpetration-image.jpg

One in 15 adults has experienced AI-generated image-based abuse, study finds

Around one in 15 adults has experienced AI-generated image-based abuse, according to an RMIT University-led study.

fringe-deepens-partnerships-thumbnail2-1220x732px.jpg

RMIT and Melbourne Fringe deepen partnership in 2026

RMIT University and Melbourne Fringe brought together experimental design, accessibility, student learning and live performance, building on a partnership that spans many years.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-starttorres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information