THE HON EMMA MCBRIDE MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR DOBELL

FREE BROADBAND ACCESS FOR STUDENTS

The Albanese Government will provide up to 30,000 Australian families with no internet at home free broadband for one year, as part of our plan for a better National Broadband Network (NBN).

The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) will provide the opportunity for eligible school students to benefit from fast internet at home to support their education. More than 1,000 Australian families have already benefitted from home broadband connections set up under the initiative.

Those working closest with families and students, including State and Territory education bodies, selected charities and community organisations, will identify families and support them to access the free service.

NBN Co is implementing this target affordability initiative with the support of a $4.5 million commitment in the October 2022-23 Federal Budget.

The one-year of free services begins from the day the service is activated.

The SSBI is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to narrow the digital divide, including by making full-fibre NBN access available to an additional 1.5 million premises – 660,000 of which will be in regional areas – and working to support First Nations Australians digital inclusion through the formation of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group.

For more information on the SSBI, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/ssbi