Central Coast students could benefit from a Federal Government initiative to provide up to 30,000 Australian families with no internet at home free broadband for one year, as part of its plan for a better National Broadband Network (NBN).
The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) will provide the opportunity for eligible school students to benefit from fast internet at home to support their education.
More than 1,000 Australian families have already benefitted from home broadband connections set up under the initiative.
Those working closest with families and students, including State and Territory education bodies, selected charities and community organisations, will identify families and support them to access the free service.
NBN Co is implementing the initiative with the support of a $4.5M commitment in the October 2022-23 Federal Budget.
The one-year of free services begins from the day the service is activated.
Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid is encouraging families interested in the program to contact his office for help in connecting to the program.
“The pandemic demonstrated how important it is for locals students on the Central Coast to be connected at home so they don’t fall behind,” Reid said.
“I’m proud to belong to a Government that takes digital inclusion so seriously.”
The SSBI is part of the Government’s commitment to narrow the digital divide, including by making full-fibre NBN access available to an additional 1.5 million premises – 660,000 of which will be in regional areas – and working to support First Nations Australians digital inclusion through the formation of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group.
For more information on the SSBI, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/ssbi
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said the government was committed to narrowing the digital divide in classrooms.
“Whilst many students can access the internet through school Wi-Fi, connecting the internet at home to support remote learning and homework is a serious affordability issue for some families,” she said.
“This initiative will relieve some of the barriers to students fully participating in educational opportunities.
“I am confident we can deliver real outcomes for so many students and give them the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
Interested families can contact Reid’s office by calling 4322 2400 or emailing Gordon.Reid.MP@aph.gov.au
Source:
Federal Government