With the 2024 school year fast approaching, the Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, is urging local families to check if they are eligible for free home broadband through the Albanese Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).
To ensure more Australians school students can enjoy the transformational benefit of broadband, the Albanese Government is investing $8.8 million to connect up to 30,000 eligible families with school-aged children to the NBN.
The affordability initiative has been extended through to 31 December 2025, meaning even more families can benefit from a free home broadband connection for longer.
Currently, over 6,000 households have already been connected to free internet through the SSBI, and a further 18,000 vouchers have been issued to eligible families to get connected.
To be eligible, a family must:
- Have a child living at home and enrolled in an Australian school;
- Have no active home broadband service over the NBN network;
- Live in premises that can access a standard NBN service.
Families interested in the SSBI can contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT) to have their eligibility assessed.
The Government is considering options to further support participating families at the end of 2025, including asking the NBN Low-Income and Digital Inclusion Forum to examine discounted products.
For more information on the SSBI, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/SSBI
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“As students around Australia prepare to go back to school, it is essential they have access to reliable, fast home broadband to fully engage in online learning and connect with teachers and peers.
“Not only does this inititiave support educational outcomes, it benefits entire households who can access essential digital services like telehealth and banking from home.
“The School Student Broadband Intiative is another example of the Albanese Government helping families struggling with the cost of living whilst narrowing the digital divide.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP:
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“Connectivity is so important for students, and this important initiative is just another way we’re providing cost of living for local families who are doing it tough.”
“This program will mean more Australians can take advantage of the transformational benefits of the NBN, and is another example of our Government’s work to narrow the digital divide.”
“I encourage all local families who might be eligible to get in touch with the National Referal Centre.”
