School Student Broadband Initiative

National Referral Centre

We can support your child’s education with free internet at home. Contact our team to check eligibility and for help getting your family connected.

Call 1800 954 610 (10am – 6pm AEDT Monday to Friday, excluding Victorian Public Holidays) or fill out the form below.

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General Overview

  • Who is responsible for the SSBI initiative?

    To support students that do not have access to internet at home, the Australian Government has committed to the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).

    The Australian Government has asked nbn to implement the Government’s Initiative to provide internet access, via participating internet service providers delivered over nbn’s wholesale broadband network.

  • What is the SSBI’s objective?

    The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) aims to boost education opportunities by providing up to 30,000 Australian eligible families with school age children (up to year 12 including Prep in Qld/Vic/Tas, Kindy in NSW, Reception in SA, Transition in NT/ACT and Pre-Primary in WA) with free nbn-powered broadband internet at home for one year.

  • Are devices included in the initiative?

    Devices such as phone, tablets or computers are not included with the Initiative. A router/modem will be provided to families by their chosen participating internet provider to connect them to the nbn network.

  • How will families be informed about the initiative?

    There are two ways for families to participate.

    1. Eligible families can be identified and engaged through organisations such as participating schools or education authorities, and community organisations involved in the initiative (referred to as Nominating Organisations).
    1. From 9 October 2023, people not connected via an existing Nominating Organisation will be able to self-nominate via the National Referral Centre (NRC). Eligibility rules will continue to apply, which will be determined via an assessment conducted by the NRC.
  • How long do SSBI services run for?

    On 14 November 2023 the Australian Government announced that they are extending the School Student Broadband Initiative until 31 December 2025.

    The extension means that the SSBI nomination period will remain open until 31 December 2024 with free National Broadband Network (nbn) internet service for all new and existing families on the SSBI until 31 December 2025.

    For existing SSBI families who have already signed up, this means their SSBI service will automatically be extended until 31 December 2025 (no further eligibility checks will be required).

    For eligible families who connect before the end of this year, they will get up to two years of free nbn broadband.

  • What happens after 31 December 2025?

    Prior to the end of the free internet period (31 December 2025), nbn expects that the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) participating internet provider will advise a participating family of their options. Internet providers should not automatically place families onto a paid service without their consent.

  • What nbn speed tier or Sky Muster Plan are internet providers supplying an SSBI participant?

    The goal is for all School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) families on FTTN, FTTB, FTTC technology to be provided with the 50/20 wholesale nbn speed tier. It is recognised, however, that some locations in these networks will not be able to reach this wholesale speed tier and only wholesale speed tiers of 25/5 or 25/10 will be available.**

    SSBI eligible participants may therefore be utilising a range of speed tiers. These are outlined below:

    nbn Access Technology Eligible nbn speed tier
    FTTN 25/5, 25/10, 50/20
    FTTC 25/5, 25/10, 50/20
    FTTB 25/5, 25/10, 50/20
    FTTP 50/20
    HFC 50/20
    Wireless Wireless Plus
    Satellite Skymuster Plus 50GB

    ** Note these are wholesale speed tiers. An end customer’s experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn network, depends on the nbn access technology and configuration over which services are delivered to the customer’s premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like the customer’s equipment quality, software, chosen broadband plan or how their provider designs its network). For nbn Fixed Wireless, speeds may also be impacted by the number of concurrent users on the nbn Fixed Wireless network, including during busy periods. For nbn Satellite, end customers may also experience latency.

National Referral Centre

  • What is the National Referral Centre?

    Access to the SSBI has become easier, with the launch of a National Referral Centre (NRC). Families with school aged students living at home can contact the NRC directly to check their eligibility.

    Parents/guardians can contact the NRC directly to check their eligibility and access the Initiative, which provides free broadband to eligible families for one year.

    When a parent/guardian contacts the NRC, they will check eligibility and support the family to get connected through a participating internet provider.

    This approach allows parents/guardians to self-nominate, rather than rely on being identified by a SSBI nominating organisation. We want to make it as easy as possible for families that need this support to access the free service.

    Existing nominating organisations can continue to refer families to the SSBI.

  • Can a parent/carer ask to be included?

    Yes. From 9 October 2023, parents/carers are able to self-nominate via the National Referral Centre (NRC). Eligibility rules will continue to apply, which will be assessed by the NRC.

    The NRC can be contacted on 1800 954 610 or at www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet

    The SSBI is primarily intended as an affordability measure to help those with school-aged children.

  • Who is running the National Referral Centre?

    After a thorough expression of interest and assessment process, Anglicare Victoria was awarded the contract to run the National Referral Centre.

    Although Anglicare Victoria is a state-based organisation, it can be contacted by anyone in Australia  interested in accessing the SSBI offer.

  • What services will the National Referral Centre offer?

    The National Referral Centre (NRC) is the first point of contact for both self-nominating families and Nominating Organisations.

    The NRC will:

    • Help people interested in the SSBI understand if they are eligible, issue vouchers and provide information regarding participating retail service providers.
    • Provide support to eligible people who are experiencing challenges redeeming the voucher.
    • Provide follow-up support to eligible families who have been issued a voucher. The NRC will make three attempts to contact these families to offer their assistance in getting connected.
    • Refer, where appropriate, ineligible people to other support services which may assist with financial hardship.
    • Answer and resolve queries relevant to the Initiative.

    For people from non-English speaking backgrounds, or people with accessibility challenges, the NRC can offer translation services through TIS and some of their own bi-lingual staff; and their website is equipped with ReciteMe technology: www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet

  • How can I use the National Referral Centre to join the SSBI program?

    Follow these 3 simple steps:

    1. Contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEST/AEDT), or visit anglicarevic.org/au/student-internet. Callback and webchat functions are also available via the website.
    2. Check your eligibility – the NRC team will help determine your eligibility and confirm your suitability for the program, by checking your residential address and asking you some questions to determine if you meet the Government’s eligibility criteria.
    3. If eligible, you will be issued a voucher which can be redeemed at any of the participating School Student Broadband Initiative internet providers. The National Referral Centre will also be available to assist with contacting your chosen internet provider or providing follow-up support.
  • How will the National Referral Centre be promoted to families?

    The National Referral Centre will be promoted via various channels including a Ministerial launch, media partnership (including editorial and location targeted online stories), and amplification through MP and other stakeholder relationships.

Eligibility

  • Who identifies potentially eligible students?

    Prior to 9 October 2023 the Australian Government required families to be identified by Nominating Organisations (e.g., schools, education authorities, charities and community organisations as identified by the Government). The names of participating nominating organisations are available at https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/ssbi

    From 9 October 2023, people not currently working with an existing Nominating Organisation will be able to self-nominate via the National Referral Centre.

  • How is eligibility determined?

    To be eligible for the School Student Broadband Initiative, families working directly with an SSBI Nominating Organisation, or self-nominating through the National Referral Centre from October 9, must:

    • Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school (up to year 12 including Prep in Qld/Vic/Tas, Kindy in NSW, Reception in SA, Transition in NT/ACT and Pre-Primary in WA).
    • Not have an active nbn® network internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
    • Either be referred by a Nominating Organisation or deemed eligible after contacting the National Referral Centre (NRC) (as applicable).
    • Live in a premises that can access a standard* nbn service.
    • Not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days.

    The SSBI is primarily intended as an affordability measure to help families with school-aged children. Callers to the NRC will be assessed for eligibility.

    *A standard nbn service refers to a standard installation of nbn supplied equipment. This includes connecting a fibre optic cable from your street to the nbn utility box outside your premises, then inside to the nbn connection. Nbn does not charge end customers for a standard installation. But remember to ask your chosen SSBI participating internet provider if they have any other fees.

    A small number of premises located in Limited Access Areas (any area within the footprint of the Satellite Network that cannot reasonably be accessed by road and would require some element of air or water transportation) are ineligible to access the SSBI program.

  • Can a family struggling to pay the cost of their existing broadband connection be involved?

    To be eligible for the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI), families must not have had an active nbn home broadband internet connection in the previous 14 days. Families with other forms of internet connectivity, such as 4G or 5G wireless services over mobile, are eligible to be nominated by Nominating Organisations or self-nominate from 9 October 2023 onwards via the National Referral Centre.

  • How can a family get nominated? Who can they speak to?

    To be eligible for the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI), parents/carers have two options:

    1. Be identified and referred by a Nominating Organisation, or;
    2. From 9 October 2023, people not currently working with an existing Nominating Organisation will be able to self-nominate via the National Referral Centre. Eligibility rules will continue to apply, which will be determined via an assessment conducted by the NRC. The Centre can be contacted on 1800 954 610 or at anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet

    Importantly, the SSBI program is primarily intended as an affordability measure to help those with school-aged children who may be experiencing financial hardship.

  • How is a voucher made available and redeemed by an eligible family?

    The high-level process for a family getting a School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) service is outlined below:

    • Step 1: Nominating Organisation identifies a family with school aged students who they believe would likely benefit from having access to home
    • Step 2: Nominating Organisation provides information about the program to family and secures consent to check their primary residential address via nbn for
    • Step 3: Nominating Organisation provides address information to nbn to check that the premises is not currently connected to a service over the nbn network and is serviceable by the nbn network.
    • Step 4: nbn confirms the premises is eligible and provides the Nominating Organisation with a numerical voucher code to share with the family. nbn will also share with the Nominating Organisation information about available participating internet providers for the family to review and contact. Nominating Organisation then provides eligible families with a voucher to redeem the free internet plan with participating internet providers
    • Step 5: Eligible family selects and contacts preferred participating internet provider and uses their voucher code to redeem free internet

    Additionally, from 9 October 2023, a family may self-nominate by contacting the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 or www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet. Eligibility criteria will continue to apply and will be assessed by the NRC. If eligible, the NRC will issue a voucher for an SSBI service which can be redeemed by calling any participating SSBI internet provider.

  • How do I use the nbn website address checker to check if my home is connected to the nbn network?

    To self-check if your address is connected to the nbn network

    1. Go to: nbnco.com.au
    2. Type your address into Check Your Address
    3. If the result shows:
      1. Check with your phone and internet provider about ordering an nbn® powered plan.
        You are not currently connected to nbn but can and may be eligible for the SSBI
      2. You are connected to the nbn® network
        You are already connected to the nbn network and are not eligible for the SSBI
      3.  Any other message
        This location is not eligible for the SSBI as nbn does not service this address.

    Note: the internet providers displayed are not the same list as the internet providers participating in SSBI

  • Will a family or student be required to provide identification?

    Internet providers will have identification requirements. Identification may be required by internet providers to confirm the name of the account holder and the address where the internet service is to be provided.

    Callers to the National Referral Centre will be assessed for eligibility however provision of student identification is not required.

  • Can a premises be in an nbn area but deemed too expensive for nbn to connect?

    There are some very remote areas within the nbn satellite footprint that will be excluded from participating in School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) due to operational and access difficulties as well as commercial factors. These are areas where nbn cannot access by road to connect the customer or to provide maintenance services.

  • What about other students who may not live at home, are enrolled in TAFE, or other similar situations?
    • Adolescent student living away from home and enrolled in a school or alternative vocational pathway – eligible, so long as an adult is able to deal with nbn, internet provider, and Referral Centre when an application for the program is being made or assessed and connections are being installed at the premises.
    • Adult/s (>18 years of age) enrolled in school and undertaking year 11/12 or equivalent – eligible.
    • Adolescent student enrolled in school and undertaking formal vocational education at an appropriately established and registered institution (i.e., TAFE) – eligible, so long as an adult is able to deal with nbn, internet provider, and Referral Centre when an application for the program is being made or assessed and connections are being installed at the premises.
    • Adolescent student undertaking relevant State Department of Education approved home schooling – eligible, so long as an adult is able to deal with nbn, internet provider, and Referral Centre when an application for the program is being made or assessed and connections are being installed at the premises.
    • Adolescent student undertaking paid apprenticeship or formal vocational education and not enrolled in school – ineligible.
  • Can anyone join the SSBI Program?

    The SSBI program is primarily intended as an affordability measure to help those with school-aged children who may be experiencing financial hardship.

    There are some very remote areas within the nbn satellite footprint that are excluded from participating in School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) due to operational and access difficulties as well as commercial factors. These are areas where nbn cannot access by road to connect the customer or to provide maintenance services.

  • Why can I not join the SSBI Program if I recently disconnected an active service?

    To ensure spots on the program go where they are most needed, there are a number of eligibility criteria, which include not having an active nbn connection in the previous 14 days.

    If you have any questions regarding your suitability for the program, please contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 or www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet

Nominating Organisations and Internet Providers

Connection and troubleshooting

SSBI Extension Announcement

  • What does an extension of the SSBI program mean?

    The Australian Government has announced an extension to the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI). Now, eligible parents/carers have until 31 December 2024 to nominate for the program, and free nbn home broadband is available until 31 December, 2025 regardless of when the family joined the program.# This means the sooner eligible people sign up for SSBI, the longer they can take advantage of free broadband.

  • I already have an SSBI plan, am I eligible for the extension? What do I need to do? Will my internet provider let me know?

    If you already have internet services provided through the SSBI, you don’t need to do anything. Your service will be automatically updated and will continue until 31 December, 2025. #

    It is nbn’s expectation that your participating SSBI internet provider will be in contact with you to provide more details prior to the 1 year anniversary of when you connected to the SSBI program.

  • What do I have to do to get free internet until 31 December, 2025?

    There are two options available:

    Option 1: contact the SSBI National Referral Centre

    Parents/carers who think they may be eligible for the School Student Broadband Initiative should follow these 3 simple steps:           

    1. Contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT), anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet. Callback and webchat functions are also available via the website. 
    2. Check your eligibility – the NRC team will assess your eligibility, by checking your residential address and asking you some questions to determine if you meet the Government’s eligibility criteria.
    3. If eligible, you will be issued a voucher which can be redeemed at any of the participating SSBI retail service providers. The National Referral Centre will also be available to assist with contacting your SSBI service provider of choice or providing follow-up support.

    To be eligible for SSBI, a family must: 

    • Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school
    • Not have an active nbn® network internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
    • Live in a premises that can access the nbn network through a standard connection
    • Not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days.

     

    Option 2: Via a Participating Nominating Organisation=

    You may have already heard about SSBI from a charity or school – there are more than 55 nominating organisations taking part in SSBI. You can contact your organisation for further information and they will be able to explain any next steps. Nominating Organisations do not provide the SSBI internet service, but they will provide eligible families with the voucher which enables you to connect to SSBI via a participating internet provider.

  • I already have a voucher for SSBI but it says it is only for 12 months?

    You may have already received a voucher for the SSBI prior to the Australian Government announcing free services would be extended until 31 December, 2025. These vouchers are valid for you to use until 31 December, 2024, and can be redeemed by calling the SSBI internet provider of your choice. Once you use the voucher you will be able to get free nbn home broadband until 31 December, 2025.#

    If you have any questions or need help and support about the initiative or in redeeming your voucher you can call the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 or visit www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet. It is important to note that there are only 30,000 places available on SSBI, and once these have been taken any unredeemed vouchers will not be able to be used.

  • When will I be able to take advantage of the extended free internet through SSBI?

    Eligible parents/carers can join SSBI now. Your free nbn home broadband service will begin as soon as you are connected and remain until 31 December, 2025#. Your SSBI internet provider of choice may first put you on a 12 month plan, but this should automatically be extended until 31 December 2025.#

  • What if I move home – is my voucher still valid?

    If you have used your voucher and are receiving an SSBI internet service, contact your current SSBI internet provider and let them know you are moving home. They will be able to transfer your nbn home broadband service to your new home (provided your new home is in a location that nbn can service via a standard connection), and you can continue with your free service until 31 December, 2025#.

    If you have a voucher for your old home that you have not used, you cannot use that voucher for your new home because vouchers are linked to a premises. You will need a new voucher.  To receive a new SSBI voucher, you will need to re-apply to check eligibility.  Please see the FAQ above ‘What do I have to do to get free internet until the 31 December, 2025?’

  • What happens at the end of 2025?

    The Government is exploring options to support participating families at the end of 2025, including consideration of a discounted retail broadband plan to help keep them connected.

# Subject to continued involvement in SSBI of participating internet providers beyond the previously announced deadlines and provided the cap of 30,000 SSBI services has not yet be reached.

Other useful information

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