More Queensland families with school aged students without broadband at home will soon have access to a free NBN connection for 12 months as part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing roll-out of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).
Funded through the October 2022-23 Budget to narrow the digital divide, promote greater inclusion for disadvantaged families, and support the education of children, the SSBI identifies eligible families through approved nominating organisations who work with vulnerable communities.
The Queensland Department of Education has now joined as a nominating organisation, and is playing a key role in rolling out the SSBI to its students without broadband at home.
The Department is also working with The Smith Family to reach additional families who may benefit.
NBN Co is leading the implementation of the initiative. To be eligible, a family must:
- Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school in 2023.
- Be referred by a nominating organisation.
- Have no active broadband service over the NBN network
- Live in a premises where they can access a standard NBN service.
Once a family is found eligible for the SSBI, they will be issued with a unique voucher, which they can redeem with one of the participating internet providers. The one-year of free home internet begins from the day the service is activated.
