Free digital safety sessions will be delivered across New South Wales next month as the state government responds to rising scam losses among older Australians.
ID Support NSW will lead a series of in-person and online events during the 2026 NSW Seniors Festival, which runs from 2 to 15 March. The roadshow begins in the Blue Mountains on 2 March and will include sessions in regional and metropolitan areas, including the Seniors Festival Expo at the ICC Sydney on 11 and 12 March.
The initiative comes after people aged 55 years and older reported more than $53 million in scam losses in 2025. Almost 85 per cent of people aged 50 and older believe they have come across or been a victim of a scam.
Common scams targeting older Australians include parcel delivery and overdue payment messages, phishing and impersonation attempts, and fraudulent tech support calls. Authorities warn these schemes can lead to identity theft and long-term financial harm.
Government data shows low digital literacy remains a key risk factor. According to the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, Australians aged 75 and over score 32.1 points below the national average for digital ability, while those aged 65 to 74 are 15.5 points below.
The sessions form part of the NSW Digital Inclusion Strategy, launched last year. The strategy is structured around five pillars: connectivity, affordability, digital ability, accessibility, and digital trust and safety. It aims to strengthen digital literacy and reduce vulnerability across the community.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said the program is designed to provide practical support.
“We want NSW seniors to feel confident navigating the digital world. Whether it’s recognising a scam, managing passwords or accessing essential services online, the ID Support NSW team can help you build your digital skills.
“This program will make a difference by delivering support directly to seniors across NSW; we’re committed to helping people stay safe, independent and informed.
“Improving digital literacy is a core pillar of the NSW Government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy which aims to close the digital divide and strengthen cyber resilience across the community.”
At each session, participants will learn about available government support, test the strength of their passwords and receive one-on-one assistance to improve device privacy and online security settings.
Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said the roadshow aims to reach older residents across the state.
“The ID Support NSW Seniors Festival roadshow is about empowering older people in metro, regional and rural NSW to brush up on digital skills and boost scammer awareness.
“Holding the roadshow as part of the NSW Seniors Festival from 2-15 March will give more NSW Seniors the opportunity to improve their cyber security knowledge to prevent a potential scam.
“This initiative builds on NSW Government programs to support older people to develop their digital literacy, including Tech Savvy Seniors, which runs regular digital sessions on a range of topics at over 70 libraries and community colleges statewide.”
NSW Chief Cyber Security Officer Marie Patane said the scale of financial losses highlights the urgency of the program.
“As life becomes increasingly digital, it is important no one gets left behind. ID Support helps seniors gain confidence and tools to stay safe online.
“With more than $53 million lost to scams by people aged 55 and older in NSW last year, our commitment to digital inclusion is not just timely, it’s essential.
“These sessions give seniors practical, real-world skills to recognise threats before they cause harm.”
Residents can register for sessions through the ID Support NSW website. Online tools, including a password strength tester and a data breach check service, are also available to the public.
The government says the aim is to equip older people with practical skills so they can manage daily tasks online with greater confidence and reduce their exposure to fraud.
