Treasurer Tim Pallas has chosen Free 3D Hands as the Victorian Budget 2024/25 charity – confirming the selection with a donation made today.

The charity designs and provides high-quality, low-cost assistive devices for people with upper limb differences, completely free of charge to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Founded by Phillip Island-based engineer Mat Bowtell in 2019, Free 3D Hands recognises that there are more than one billion people around the world who require assistive devices – and for or 90 per cent of those people, access to assistive technology remains limited.

Free 3D Hands shares all of their designs under open-source licences to empower others around the world to make and repair them, and to encourage further innovation in this field.

All donations to Free 3D Hands go directly towards the research, design and development of assistive devices and getting them to those who need them.

The Treasurer has nominated a charity at each of his 10 Budgets, making a personal contribution and supporting fundraising within the community.

Victorians interested in contributing to the important work of Free 3D Hands can do so at free3dhands.org.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“I’m proud to nominate Free 3D Hands as the Victorian Budget 2024/25 charity, to help it continue the amazing work it does in changing lives around the world.” 

“For those people in a position to make a donation, I urge them to give generously.” 

Quote attributable to Free 3D Hands founder Mat Bowtell 

“We are very grateful to the Treasurer for choosing Free 3D Hands as his Budget charity. All donations to Free 3D Hands go directly towards the research, design and development of open-source assistive devices and getting them to those who need them. We believe in a world where everyone has equal access to assistive technology.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crungnale

“Mat Bowtell and his team are all heart, all community – and these 3D printed devices are bringing joy and confidence to children, young people and adults here in Victoria and right across the world.”