School Student Broadband Initiative

The Australian Government has established the SSBI to provide free home internet for one year for up to  30,000 families with school aged students that do not have a National Broadband Network connection at home.

The one-year internet connection period starts from the day the service is activated. Other members of the household can also use the internet service provided through SSBI. The initiative does include a modem/router supplied to the family by the participating internet provider but does not include devices such as a computer or tablet.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a family must:

How does the School Student Broadband Initiative work?

Families will be identified and contacted directly (via parents/carers) by schools, education authorities, charities and community organisations participating in the initiative – these are nominating organisations. The St Vincent de Paul Society is a nominating organisation.

If you are eligible, the home internet service will be provided at no cost for one-year through a participating internet provider over the National Broadband Network. These internet providers will have their own step-by-step process to get you connected, which may involve you providing identification.

Once you sign up, the internet provider will help you to set up your connection. The initiative does not include devices such as a computer or tablet. Other members of the household can use the internet service provided through this initiative.

The one-year period will start from the day your service is activated with your chosen participating internet provider. At the end of the one-year period, you should not be placed onto a paid service by your internet provider without your consent. The Australian Government is considering options beyond the one-year free period.