Families could save thousands with free internet until December 2025

The Federal Government has extended a program that provides struggling families with free home internet to help children with online study. Here’s how you apply.

Families struggling to pay for home internet access can save up to $2000 a year under the Federal Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).

The national program has been extended to provide free home internet to thousands of eligible families to the end of 2025.

NBN expects families who meet the criteria to access the program will save up to $2000.

It is a necessity for every Australian school student to have access to fast and reliable internet. Picture: Supplied

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the program, which was initially capped at 12 months, has been extended to the end of 2025 to help bridge the “digital divide” which became evident during the pandemic when students shifted into online learning.

More than 6000 families have already signed up to the program, which is set up for households with school students who don’t have reliable home internet.

Families can now directly nominate themselves through the new National Referral Centre run by Anglicare Victoria.

“As school kids 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,” said Michelle.

“Not only does this program make it easier for students to keep up with their school work, it benefits entire households who can access essential digital services like telehealth and banking from home for the first time.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced the government's new School Student Broadband Initiative has been extended. Picture: Supplied

At a cost of $4.3 million, the extended SSBI campaign aims to support up to 30,000 eligible households struggling with the cost of living.

The additional funding takes the total Government investment with NBN Co to $8.8m.

The funding extension also means families can continue to sign up to the program until December 31, 2024.

Approved SSBI families will receive a NBN voucher to be presented to their nearest broadband provider.

To be eligible for SSBI, a family must:

• Have a child living at home and enrolled in an Australian school.

• Be referred by an organisation or self-nominate through the National Referral Centre.

• Not have an active broadband service over the NBN network.

• Live in a place where they can get a standard NBN service.

• Have not had an active NBN connection during the past 14 days.

To contact the National Referral Centre through phone [phone] or visit anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet

Originally published as Families could save thousands with free internet until December 2025