School Student Broadband Initiative

About the initiative

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

The initiative seeks to boost educational opportunities and narrow the digital divide.

The SSBI enables eligible households to access free internet on the NBN network until Friday 30 June 2028, starting from the time the service is activated with the internet provider. Other household members can use the internet service provided by the initiative.

Households can continue to apply to receive a free service. Once the program reaches the cap of 30,000 services connected, no further nominations will be accepted, and any unredeemed vouchers will become invalid.

If you have a voucher that has not been used, please be sure to activate your free services with a participating internet provider as soon as possible.

After the free period, households cannot be placed on a paid service without consent. The government is currently exploring options for what happens to services beyond 2025.

Eligibility

To be eligible for SSBI, families must:

• have a child living at home who is enrolled in an Australian school (up to year 12 including Prep)
• not have an active NBN network internet service at home (excludes mobile internet services)
• live in a premises that can access the NBN network via a standard connection (NBN will confirm this)
• not have had an active NBN connection during the previous 14 days.

How families can access free home internet

Victorian families can contact the SSBI National Referral Centre directly to find out if they are eligible for free home internet.

• Call the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610. They will check your nominated home address for an active NBN connection.
• You do not need to provide financial information.
• Translation and interpretation services are available.
• Visit anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet. Leave your details to receive a call back at a time that suits you.

Alternative application process

Some schools may prefer to manage the communication with the department on behalf of the family.

Steps for the families and carers

1. Request a printed consent form (DOCX) from the school or download and print yourself
2. Complete the paper form.
3. Return it to the Reception at Wangaratta High School.
4. If eligible, the parent or carer will:
   1. receive a voucher to allow them to sign up
   2. need to choose a participating internet provider and redeem the voucher to get the service installed.
5. If they are not eligible, the parent or carer will receive a letter to inform them.

Note: vouchers must be activated with the internet provider as soon as possible to avoid missing out.