The Albanese Government is making it easier for eligible families to access 12 months free broadband over the NBN, with the launch of a new National Referral Centre to support the ongoing rollout of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).
The SSBI – launched in January this year – fulfils an election commitment to help to narrow the digital divide for families who otherwise have no access to broadband at home. The initiative aims to connect up to 30,000 families nationwide.
The new National Referral Centre – led by Anglicare Victoria – now allows families to nominate themselves for the program directly, making it easier than ever for households in need to get connected.
To date, NBN Co has been partnering with more than 50 community organisations that work with vulnerable cohorts to identify eligible families.
More than 4,000 households around Australia have been connected through the initiative. An additional 18,700 connection vouchers have been issued to eligible families. Eligible families are issued a voucher they can redeem with a participating internet provider to redeem their free connection.
To be eligible, a family must:
- Have a child living at home and enrolled in an Australian school.
- Be referred by a nominating organisation or self-nominate through the National Referral Centre
- Have no active broadband service over the NBN network.
- Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service.
Families can contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT), by visiting www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet
