Where it all began

Hitnet has been working with First Nations communities for the past 20 years. We began as an action research project within the University of Queensland, based in Cairns.

Pilot projects in remote Cape York showed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would access touchscreen technology to seek health information. Various rounds of state and federal government funding were subsequently secured, and Hitnet rolled out nationally.

About nine years ago, Hitnet left the University and set up as an independent social business and founding Australian B Corp.

Our focus

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Health promotion

In the 21st century, so much of the information and guidance we access about health sits online. Hitnet provides access to trusted, culturally relevant health information that empowers communities to live healthy lives.

Community-centric

All of our content is co-created with the communities that engage with it, allowing people to see their friends, family, teachers and idols in the content they consume on the screen. Every Hitnet Hub can also upload their own content to the ‘My Place’ channel that stays within their own community.

Young people

Being digitally included is vital to young people. Our work connects young people to education, jobs and opportunities beyond the geographical boundaries of their community. It allows them to grow, aspire and prosper.

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Digital inclusion

Digital technologies play a central and empowering role in our lives; and now, with many vital services and programs being based online, digital inclusion means social inclusion more than ever. Our services support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access the digital world, safely and successfully.

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Our values

Open-hearted and open-minded

We approach all our interactions with compassion and acceptance. We’re generous with our knowledge, ideas and connections, as our partners are with us.

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playful yet serious

The stories and information we share through our Community Hubs tackle serious problems but with a playful approach, and that’s why they leave their mark.

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passionately inventive

We’re wildly creative and inventive, and we’re always searching for new ways to advance learning. When traditional and cultural knowledge take their rightful place alongside innovative learning, our work transforms lives.

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Guiding Principles

We value:

Access via mobile devices over access via hubs/kiosks
Agency of individual users over centralised ownership and control
Sovereignty (people owning their content) over access for all
Personal privacy over personal customisation
The interests of community over the interests of customers.

technologists at heart

While technology is the backbone of our business, it’s also the key to unlocking the digital divide and to creatively engaging the next generation.

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committed to co-creation

We don’t hold all the answers to the most challenging social problems, that’s why we’re dedicated to co-creating knowledge in each and every community in need.

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We’ve been a proud B Corp since 2013. Recently, we were re-certified for the fourth time, and were subsequently made a ‘Best for the World’ honouree.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The 17 Goals interconnect and, in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal by 2030.

We identified the key Sustainable Development Goals that most closely relate to Hitnet’s work and use them to drive our activity.