The Albanese Government has today announced more than 15,000 Aussie families have been connected with free internet as part of the School Student Broadband Initiative - delivering real cost of living support for families doing it tough.

The SSBI – launched in February last year – fulfils an election commitment to help to narrow the digital divide for families who otherwise have no access to broadband at home.

Since its launch the SSBI has:    

• Connected 15,000 eligible families to a free NBN service across all states and territories, with more than a third living in rural and regional areas.   
• Saved 15,000 families thousands of dollars each, by connecting them to a free NBN service until the end of 2025, and;
• Benefitted students and families across a range of situations, including single parents and domestic and family violence victim-survivors.

The initiative – which is being implemented by NBN Co with $8.8 million from the Albanese Government – will end up supporting up to 30,000 families across the country.

To apply, families are encouraged to contact the National Referral Centre – run by Anglicare Victoria – on 1800 954 610 (Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm AEDT), or visit: www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet

To be eligible, a family must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school.
• Have no active broadband service over the NBN network.
• Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service.
• Not have had an active NBN service during the previous 14 days.

The Government is also considering options to continue to 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 Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese

“We want to ensure no Australian child is left behind in their learning due to cost of living pressures.

“This program is helping to connect Aussie kids with vital educational materials and removing pressure from parents that are unable to afford the internet.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland

“Reliable, quality, high speed internet is not a luxury or a nice-to-have – it’s essential, including for our young people and school students, and it’s great to see so many people reached and milestones hit in recent months.

“The School Student Broadband Initiative is delivering on our commitment to narrowing the digital divide and promoting equitable access by reducing the affordability barriers families may face to access an increasingly online world.”