Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Receipts up to $25,000.00
- Application opened: 11 May 2026
- Application closes: 8 June 2026, 10:00 am
Program objective
The Tech Savvy Seniors (TSS) program was launched in 2012 as a NSW Government initiative, in partnership with Telstra. The TSS program provides older people in NSW with access to low-cost or free digital literacy training at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels on the use of computers, tablets, smartphones, and online applications such as email, social media and cyber safety.
Approved Adult and Community Education (ACE) providers deliver the Tech Savvy Seniors Program to seniors in Sydney metropolitan locations as well as in regional and remote communities across NSW.
Digital inclusion helps seniors to be active and independent members of their immediate and broader communities. Digital inclusion facilitates access to information and services and strengthens the social connections through which emotional and practical resources are shared.
For more information about the TSS program, please visit https://www.telstra.com.au/tech-savvy-seniors.
This program is administered by Department of Communities and Justice.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Please ensure you review and read the NSW Tech Savvy Seniors 2026-27 Grant Program Guidelines
All grant applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an ACE college provider based in NSW
- All applicants must have appropriate insurance (minimum of $10 million),
- All applicants must address the NSW National Redress Scheme sanctions (included in this template),
- Applications will not be accepted from organisations that have outstanding acquittals with DCJ.
Who the grant is targeted towards
Prioritisation criteria under the grant program includes:
- Population of your council area aged over 60
- Areas where training is not already provided by ACE providers
- Areas that have a low Australian Digital Inclusion Index score
- Remote and regional locations
- Areas that have fulfilled their previously funded TSS targets
- Areas with large culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
Types of projects funded under this grant
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 1 July 2026 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2027.
What costs you can apply for
Funds can only be used for expenses/activities directly associated to the grant. Your application must clearly outline your proposed expenditure in relation to the funding amounts identified above and included in the budget you submit with your application.
What costs you can't apply for
Items or activities that funding cannot be used for include:
- Any activity of a commercial nature that is for profit
- Existing debt or budget deficits
- Capital works, including building work
- Permanent salaries/wages (costs for temporary tutors/instructors for your program or activity can be included)
- Permanent equipment purchases, for example tables and computers
- Business as usual costs or general operating expenses
- Programs or activities that encourage gambling such as bingo, or the consumption of alcohol
- Programs and activities coordinated by NSW Government Departments and Statutory Authorities
- The same project twice. For example, two different organisations cannot apply for funds for the same program or activity
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
This is a Targeted Competitive Grant Round,
Please ensure you review and read the NSW Tech Savvy Seniors 2026-27 Grant Program Guidelines to check if your organisation is Eligible to apply.
- Contact details. It is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure all contact details are up to date. In some cases, DCJ has contacted a successful grant recipient to learn they have since left the organisation. Ensure secondary contact details are included in the application. If DCJ can’t contact you, we can’t award you the grant. Group email addresses are not permitted.
- Eligibility and ineligibility criteria. Ensure you meet the criteria and are not ineligible.
- Grant program objectives. Ensure you demonstrate in your application how the event or activity meets the objectives and target audience.
- Assessment criteria. Ensure your application addresses the assessment criteria.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
This is a Targeted Competitive Grant Round, please ensure you review and read the NSW Tech Savvy Seniors 2026-27 Grant Program Guidelines
All applications must be submitted on the SmartyGrants.
The SmartyGrants website is an online grants administration system, which is used by government departments across Australia. The SmartyGrants website has an online portal where applicants submit their application form.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: DCJ delegated decision maker
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and compliance with guidelines and eligible criteria. They will then be subject to the assessment process which will include assessment by the Assessment Team and Assessment Panel.
The Minister or delegated DCJ officer will be the decision-maker.
Applicants will be formally notified on whether their application has been successful. It is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure all contact details are up to date.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 30/06/2026
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 30/07/2026
Support and contact
If you require any assistance or have any queries relating to this grant, please contact via email: Contact.SeniorsCard@dcj.nsw.gov.au