• Free NBN broadband as the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) extended)

    Another $4.9 million has been applied to an extension of the free School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI). The program has been extended to 30 June 2028, to help unconnected families with school age children access the internet.

    There are already more than 23,000 families accessing free NBN broadband through the initiative. It’s estimated families save around $1000 a year accessing the program.

    The program was due to finish in 2025. The extension will now allow the free services to continue for new and existing families until 30 June 2028, with up to 30,000 places available in the program. It brings the Albanese Government’s total investment in the program to $13.7 million.

    Who is eligible for the SSBI?

    To be eligible, families and carers must:

    • have a child living at home enrolled in an Australian school;
    • have no active broadband service over the NBN network in the last 14 days; and
    • live in a premises where they can access standard NBN services.

    Once a family is assessed as eligible, they are issued with a unique voucher which they can redeem with one of the participating internet providers. The free service begins from the day the service is activated until 30 June 2028 and is available across all NBN technologies.

    What do you need to do?

    To apply, families and carers are encouraged to contact the National Referral Centre run by Anglicare Victoria on 1800 954 610 (Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm AEDT) or visit the Anglicare Victoria page. You can also access more information through the government media release and the NBN media release.

    For more information on this program as well as other factors to consider when improving your internet for education, visit our education resource hub. This page also provides tips on how your children can access the internet safely.