Free broadband initiative extended until April 2024 in cost-of-living boost

Joint Media Release from The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications and Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Emergency Management

MEDIA RELEASE | Thursday 17 August 2023

More eligible families across Australia will have the opportunity to benefit from 12 months free NBN following an extension to the nomination period, under the Albanese Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).

Funded through the October 2022-23 Budget to narrow the digital divide and promote greater inclusion for disadvantaged families, the SSBI identifies eligible families through third-party nominating organisations who work with vulnerable communities.

To provide these organisations the best opportunity to offer this assistance amid continuing cost of living pressures, the period for which families can be nominated for a free service has been extended until 30 April 2024.

Over recent months, a number of additional organisations across Australia have joined the SSBI to identify and nominate families who could benefit from free internet at home.

This demonstrates the strong cross-sector support for SSBI, including state and territory governments, education authorities, community organisations in regional and low socioeconomic areas, social housing providers, right down to individual schools.

Over 1,500 families are now connected – up from 1,000 in July 2023 – with the connection milestone helping more students get the educational opportunities they deserve.

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 premise where they can access a standard NBN service. 

Eligible families receive a voucher from a nominating organisation that they can use at a participating internet retail provider to receive 12 months of free internet. The 12 months of free service begins from the day the service is activated and is available across all NBN technologies.

For more information about the SSBI, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/SSBI

Sara Johnston