SSBI - School Student Broadband Initiative

Currently open for applications from all Victorian government schools (primary, secondary, specialist and language schools). 

The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) offers eligible students free internet at home until the end of 2025.

Led by the National Broadband Network (NBN), the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is a Federal Government initiative offering free home internet to 30,000 unconnected households with school-aged students.

The goal is to:

• boost educational opportunities
• narrow the digital divide.

About the initiative

The SSBI will enable eligible households to access free internet on the NBN network until 31 December 2025, starting from the time the service is activated with the retail service provider (RSP). Other household members can use the internet service provided by the initiative.

The period in which families/carers can apply to receive a free service is up to 31 December 2024.

For households who have already signed up, their SSBI services will automatically be extended until 31 December 2025 (no further eligibility checks will be required, unless they change address).

After this free period, families/carers cannot be placed on a paid service without consent. The government is exploring options beyond 2025.

Eligibility

Households must meet the following criteria:

• have a child enrolled in an Australian school
• don’t have an active NBN internet service at home* (excludes mobile internet services)
• live in an area where NBN can be accessed through a standard connection (NBN will confirm this).

*If an address has been disconnected within 14 days prior to an eligibility check – the address will be classified as not eligible (effective from 9 October 2023). There may be cases where exceptions can be made, please contact the School Student Broadband Initiative team at SSBI@education.vic.gov.au to discuss further.

Application process for families and carers

1. Request a consent from the Administration Building at BSC or bairnsdale.sc@education.vic.gov.au or by clicking on the button below.
2. Complete the paper form.
3. Return it to the Administration office at Bairnsdale Secondary College
4. If eligible, families/carers will:
   • receive a voucher to allow them to sign up
   • need to choose a participating RSP and redeem the voucher to get the service installed.
5. If not eligible, the family/carer will receive a letter to inform them.

Note: vouchers must be activated with the RSP by Tuesday 31 December 2024.