A Start in Life is an Australian charity dedicated to supporting young people facing financial disadvantage to stay engaged in education. Founded in 1923, we have walked alongside more than 7,000 students across our 100-year history, providing tutoring, mentoring, financial assistance, and practical support — all tailored to each student's individual needs.

We offer the Learning Essentials program — a single, staged program that supports students aged 4 to 24 from their first year of school through to the completion of university or TAFE study.

We support students across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, from their first year of school through to the completion of university or TAFE study.

Historically, A Start in Life has not received government funding. We are supported primarily by the Australian community — through individual donors, corporate partners, philanthropic foundations, trusts, workplace giving programs, and gifts in wills. Every dollar we receive comes from someone who chose to give.

Yes. Beyond financial assistance, our support may include:

• One-on-one tutoring and academic coaching
• Individualised support plans reviewed regularly with families and schools
• Mentoring, workshops, and career-exploration activities including industry visits and work experience
• Regular wellbeing check-ins to monitor motivation, confidence, and resilience
• Access to professional volunteers and partner organisations

Our online learning resources are available at learning.astartinlife.au.

Our current corporate partners are listed on our Other Ways to Give page.

We support young people aged 4 to 24 across NSW and ACT — from Kindergarten through to university and TAFE — who face financial hardship or other disadvantages that affect their ability to engage with education. If you're unsure whether a student qualifies, please contact us. We're happy to talk it through.

Applications can be submitted by parents or carers, teachers and school welfare staff, social workers, community workers, or the students themselves. You don't need to know every detail of a student's situation to refer them — simply point them our way and we'll take it from there.

Yes. All support provided to students through A Start in Life is completely free of charge. Our programs are funded entirely by donors and partners who believe every young person deserves a fair start.

Support is tailored to each student's individual needs and may include school fees, books and stationery, uniforms, school camps and excursions, home computer and internet access, one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, assistance with vocational training, health and medical support, and connection to additional community resources.

Once we receive an application, our team reviews the student's circumstances and needs. We aim to respond to all applications promptly — if we need more information, we'll be in touch. Support is confirmed once our team has assessed the application and identified the most appropriate assistance for that student.

Yes. While our programs align with the school calendar, our team is available year-round to receive applications and provide ongoing support to students already in our programs.

No. A Start in Life is not a registered NDIS provider and does not deliver NDIS-funded services.

We may use photos, video, or audio of students for fundraising and marketing purposes. We will always advise families how we propose to use these materials and seek prior written consent. Students and families also have the option of using a pseudonym. Our full approach to privacy is available in our Privacy Policy.

Your donation goes directly toward supporting students — covering tutoring sessions, school materials, uniforms, excursion fees, and the staffing that connects young people with the right resources. We keep administration costs low so your gift makes the greatest possible impact.

Yes. A Start in Life holds DGR1 status, so all donations of $2 or more are fully tax-deductible for Australian taxpayers. You'll receive a receipt by email for your records. Donations made before 30 June can be claimed in that financial year's tax return.

Absolutely. Regular giving is one of the most powerful ways to support us — it allows us to plan ahead and provide consistent, reliable support to the students in our programs. You can set up a monthly or annual contribution through our donation page.

Possibly. Workplace giving allows employees to donate from their pre-tax income, increasing the value of your contribution at no extra cost to you. Check with your HR or Payroll team to find out if your employer already participates. If they don't, your employer can contact us at communications@astartinlife.org.au to set it up.

Yes to both. A donation in someone's honour is a meaningful gift for weddings, birthdays, and new beginnings — we'll send you a certificate to share. For in-memory gifts, we send a thank you receipt to everyone who contributes and a letter of acknowledgement to the family noting the final amount given. Contact us at communications@astartinlife.org.au to arrange either.

Yes, and we'd love your support. Whether you're running a workplace fundraiser, hosting a community event, or taking on a personal challenge like a fun run, we can help you get set up. Visit our Fundraise for Us page or get in touch to talk through ideas.

A bequest to A Start in Life is a meaningful way to create a lasting impact for young Australians. We'd be honoured to speak with you about how a gift in your will can help future generations. Please contact us for a confidential conversation, or visit our bequest page to learn more.

Yes. We partner with businesses of all sizes — from workplace giving programs through to naming partnerships and cause-related campaigns. Corporate support directly funds the students in our programs and offers meaningful team engagement opportunities. Contact us at communications@astartinlife.org.au to find out more.

We're always looking for dedicated tutors and mentors to work with our students. If you have skills in a subject area or simply care about supporting young people, we'd love to hear from you. To express your interest, please email us at communications@astartinlife.org.au and our team will be in touch.

No formal teaching qualification is required. We look for patience, reliability, and a genuine commitment to helping young people. All volunteers receive an induction and ongoing support from our team.

Yes. Because our work involves direct contact with young people, all volunteers who work with students are required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) in NSW, or the equivalent Working with Vulnerable People registration in the ACT. In NSW, the WWCC is free for volunteers and can be applied for through the Office of the Children's Guardian. We'll guide you through the process when you come on board.

Time commitments vary depending on the role and the student's needs. We understand that our volunteers have busy lives, and we work with you to find an arrangement that fits. Email us at communications@astartinlife.org.au to talk through what's possible.

Yes. We welcome corporate volunteering and workplace engagement as part of our broader partnership programs. Whether it's skills-based volunteering or team activities, we'd love to explore what's possible. Email us at communications@astartinlife.org.au to start the conversation.

You can opt out at any time by:

• Clicking the Unsubscribe link in any email or SMS we send you
• Emailing us at communications@astartinlife.org.au
• Calling us on (02) 9264 3017

Email us at communications@astartinlife.org.au with your updated details and we'll take care of it promptly.

Yes. Email us at communications@astartinlife.org.au to set or update your preference and we'll update your record.

Yes. You can reach us through our Contact Us page, by emailing communications@astartinlife.org.au, or by calling us on (02) 9264 3017. We aim to respond to all enquiries within two business days.

Yes. A Start in Life is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) under ABN 21 871 881 074. You can view our charity profile on the ACNC register.

Yes. A Start in Life holds DGR1 endorsement, meaning all donations of $2 or more are fully tax-deductible for Australian taxpayers. You can verify our status on the Australian Business Register.

Yes. Everyone at A Start in Life involved in fundraising completes the FIA Code Course — the Fundraising Institute of Australia's professional standard for ethical fundraising practice.

Our annual reports are available on our Insights and Updates page. As an ACNC-registered charity, our financial information is also publicly available through the ACNC charity register.

Our full Privacy Policy is available at /about-us/policy/privacy-policy/.