Microsoft invests in local programs that benefit people of all ages. In Australia, our collaborations are organized by our focus areas of Skills for Jobs, Enabling Sustainability, and Empowering Communities.
The following program list contains a sample of the investments Microsoft makes on an annual basis.
Skills for Jobs
Microsoft believes everyone should have access to the skills, technology, and opportunity they need to succeed in a changing economy.
Indigital is an Indigenous owned profit-for-purpose company creating a culturally diverse and inclusive digital future for all. It does this by building cultural connection and digital capability in critical technologies. Indigital uses digital technologies—like AI, augmented or mixed realities—as a pathway to learning Indigenous heritage, and it uses First Nations’ culture to teach digital skills as a pathway to the future of work.
- Indigital for Schools Program is an inclusive digital skills program for Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids to connect with and learn from Elders about cultural knowledge, history, and language, all while learning digital skills in cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality, coding, and Minecraft: Education Edition. Students then bring what they’ve learned to life in a 3D virtual design project using technologies such as AR and Minecraft. Through the eight curriculum-linked workshops, Elders, local educators, and Microsoft are merging cultural knowledge and digital tools for today’s youth. The program ran in 30 schools across Western Sydney reaching more than 500 students and 90 teachers and was also extended to 5 local schools in Western Melbourne.
- InDigital Minecraft Education Challenge, anchored on the National NAIDOC theme, invited Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to discover and explore their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge, histories, and languages using Minecraft: Education Edition.
Australian Business and Community Network is a group of almost 200 low socio-economic status schools and over 50 leading businesses and organisations, working together to address educational disadvantage through structured workplace mentoring and business/school partnerships. Its corporate mentors support the development of students’ skills and mindsets, confidence, and aspiration, so they can achieve more than they thought was possible.
- Tech Skills Careers Expo helps underserved students in Western Sydney and Western Melbourne develop an understanding of technology and careers across the tech sector. Through career coaching and mentoring with multiple industry partners, students are immersed in STEM learning and how these skills relate to careers in the technology industry.
Enabling sustainability
Climate change requires swift, collective action and technological innovation. We are committed to meeting our own goals while helping communities to do the same.
One Tree Planted is a nonprofit organization focused on global reforestation. Since 2014, it has planted over 92.7 million trees in more than 80 countries across the globe since 2014. In 2022, it more than doubled its impact from 2021—with 52.7 million trees! The organization wants to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Together we can restore forests, create habitat for biodiversity, and make a positive social impact around the world.
- The Cool Streets Hebersham initiative collaborated with local government and residents to have Microsoft datacenter employees plant 400 trees in the streets of Hebersham in Western Sydney. Tree species included Red Maple, Brush Box, Tulip Tree, and many more. Hebersham is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Sydney and has a high proportion of residents that are from low-income households, and are highly vulnerable to the health and economic impacts from increased heat. Planting more trees in the area will support the health and wellness of the population as well as reduce their vulnerability to summer heat and heat waves.
Empowering communities
Microsoft is committed to strengthening communities and empowering the organizations that help them thrive. Whether affected by a recent emergency or decades of challenges, we use data, technology, and strategic investments to restore and support them for future generations.
Indigital is an Indigenous owned profit-for-purpose company creating a culturally diverse and inclusive digital future for all. It does this by building cultural connection and digital capability in critical technologies. Indigital uses digital technologies—like AI, augmented or mixed realities—as a pathway to learning Indigenous heritage, and it uses First Nations’ culture to teach digital skills as a pathway to the future of work.
- Kemps Creek Connection with Country is a Microsoft collaboration with Indigital and Dharug Nation Traditional Custodians to reflect Connection with Country at our Kemps Creek datacentre [https://news.microsoft.com/en-au/features/microsoft-collaborates-with-indigital-and-traditional-owners-on-artwork-and-landscape-design-for-its-new-western-sydney-data-centre/]. Working together with the Dharug people—the Traditional Custodians of the land hosting our Kemps Creek datacentre—the collaboration has shaped the site’s exterior artwork and landscape design in a way that supports cultural connection and inclusion. Through the process, Indigital trained a machine learning algorithm using traditional imagery to understand interpretations of the Dharug Nation’s resilience. The algorithm created culturally recognised patterns and imagery that will be reflected in the site’s exterior artwork and landscape design. By protecting, preserving, and honoring the Dharug heritage we can foster the sort of inclusive and respectful environment that allows us to reimagine a brighter future for all of us.
Sydney Zoo was founded in 2015 with an aim to create amazing experiences for the local and international community by introducing them to a range of animal species from all over the world, while also educating on animal welfare and conservation. Embracing advanced technology and innovation to improve animal welfare, visitor engagement, and education, Sydney Zoo is home to a wide range of exotic and native species. With clever habitat design, it provides an experience that is more immersive and engaging than traditional zoos. Sydney Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals, Australia’s largest Reptile and Nocturnal House, and an aquarium.
- Caring for Country Protecting Kutukulung brought together Sydney Zoo First Nations educators and Dharug Elders to learn about the cultural connections to land, waters, and animals, and how Country was sustainably managed for thousands of years. Over 10 primary schools and 700 school children located in the Western Sydney region participated in the program, with students able to explore a native bush tucker garden, learn about the plants and their uses, engage with traditional tools, weapons, and resources, and meet Kutukulung, the long neck turtle, through a series of student workshops held at the Sydney Zoo. This knowledge and dance were taught through workshops at Sydney Zoo to inspire environmental stewardship in the Western Sydney community.
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation was founded by esteemed Aboriginal Elders from Western Sydney. Its purpose is to create a welcoming environment where individuals and families can find support and connections to services that will help them heal from the past and nurture a strong sense of confidence and pride for the future.
- We are honored to partner with Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation to support local Aboriginal families who live near where we operate our datacenters. During the pandemic, funds were used to hire additional staff to support their services and a safe environment for the community. We continue to support their services and initiatives such as Family Group gatherings, a Homework Club, a Mums and Bubs group and a youth group for young First Australians to connect with their Culture.