New student broadband initiative hits key milestone

More than 1,000 disadvantaged families without broadband at home have now been connected to free internet as part of the Albanese Government’s new School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).

 

The first phase of the SSBI – announced in the October 2022-23 Federal Budget and launched in February 2023 – involved partnering with a small number of national charities and community organisations to identify and nominate eligible families.

 

To help ensure the initiative becomes more widely accessible, work has commenced to widen the group of nominating organisations with the initiative capable of supporting up to 30,000 families with free broadband for 12 months.

 

This aspiration underpins a key objective of the Albanese Government to expand digital opportunity and ease cost of living pressures for unconnected families.

 

State and Territory education departments, Catholic and Independent schools and additional charities and community organisations have signed on as nominating partners and Members of Parliament and Senators will soon also be able to identify and nominate eligible families.

 

NBN Co is leading the implementation of the initiative. To be eligible for SSBI, a family must:

  • Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school in 2023.
  • Be referred by a nominating organisation or MP
  • 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, they are issued with a unique voucher which they can redeem with one of the participating internet providers. 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/media-communications-arts/internet/national-broadband-network/school-student-broadband-initiative-ssbi

 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“In 2023, being connected to broadband is essential to maximise educational opportunities and take advantage of a digital society.

“Given the School Student Broadband Initiative is new, we will work with communities and those eligible to make sure the program’s benefits are well-understood and trusted to deliver.”

“It’s fantastic to see over 1,000 families who previously did not have internet at home can now enjoy the benefits of connectivity as a result of the Albanese Government’s investment. We look forward to seeing the SSBI ramp up as it moves into its next phase of engagement.

“The program wouldn’t be possible without the constructive engagement from community organisations and charities, and I thank them for their work over the initial development period."