First Nations Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors—draft grant opportunity guidelines

ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts’ consultation on the First Nations Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors—draft grant opportunity guidelines.

ACCAN welcomes the First Nations Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors, which represent a significant investment by the Government to improve the digital inclusion of First Nations peoples and communities across Australia.

This submission recommends the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts:

1.      Ensure service continuity beyond 30 June 2027.

2.      Support the future funding of critical resources such as the Regional Tech Hub.

3.      Introduce explicit coordination requirements and governance arrangements to ensure the Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors operate in a coordinated and collaborative way, providing a more positive experience for consumers.

4.      Build formal, ongoing feedback mechanisms into both programs to allow First Nations communities to inform service design and delivery, ensuring responsiveness to their lived experiences.

5.      Allocate sufficient time and resources for meaningful co-design processes that enable engagement, reflection, and iterative feedback with First Nations communities.

6.      Ensure the website complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 Level AA conformance at a minimum.