The School Student Broadband Initiative is an Australian Government program that offers free home internet until the end of 2025 for up to 30,000 families and carers who look after school age children and do not have an active nbn connection.
To qualify for the School Student Broadband Initiative, families and carers must:
- Have a school age student at home (full or part time) enrolled in an Australian school (up to Year 12 including Prep in QLD/VIC/TAS, Kindy in NSW, Reception in SA, Transition in NT/ACT and Pre-Primary in WA)
- Not have an active nbn® network internet service at their current residential address now or in the past 14 days (having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility)
- Live in a premises that can access the nbn network via a standard connection
There are two potential ways to join the School Student Broadband Initiative:
- Be identified and referred by a Nominating Organisation, or
- Families and carers can self-nominate via the National Referral Centre (criteria explained below)
I’ve been nominated by a Nominating Organisation and I qualify
Step 1 - Receive your voucher
Once you qualify, you will receive a letter that includes a voucher number. The letter includes a list of the participating internet providers that supply nbn SSBI services in your area (current as at the date in the footer of the letter).
The voucher will start with the letters 'LOC' and will be followed by a series of numbers. For example, LOC000000123456.
Step 2 - Use the voucher to connect through your chosen participating internet provider before 31 December 2024
Please contact your preferred participating internet provider as soon as possible. Vouchers must be used before 31 December 2024 unless the limit of 30,000 connections occurs ahead of this date. Vouchers can only be used once and can only be used in relation to the address listed. They cannot be transferred to another family.
I want to self-nominate through the National Referral Centre
It's important to note the School Student Broadband Initiative is intended to help families and carers who look after school age children to afford home internet.
Follow these three simple steps:
- Contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm AEDT) or via the National Referral Centre website. Callback, webchat and interpreting services also available.
- Check if you qualify - the National Referral Centre team will check your residential address and ask you some basic questions to determine if you meet the Government's eligibility criteria.
- If you qualify, you will be issued a voucher which can be redeemed at any of the participating internet providers that service your area. The National Referral Centre will also be available to assist with contacting your chosen internet provider or providing follow-up support.
Choose your preferred participating internet provider
Below you'll find the most up to date list of participating internet providers#. Your letter will list the specific internet providers that service your area (current as at the date in the footer of that letter). Your preferred internet provider will check your voucher when placing your order.
Not all internet providers operate in all parts of Australia, or provide services over all types of nbn technologies. If your preferred internet provider does not supply services at your address, please select another internet provider.
Customers in metro and regional areas (and some remote areas)
- Regional & remote internet experts
- Free Wi-Fi 6 router
- Aussie based sales & support
- Award winning customer service
- Free pre-configured modem for easy setup
- No hidden contracts or costs
- No fees, no lock in contract, free wi-fi modem
- Quick and easy online sign-up
- Belong is 100% owned by Telstra
- Double your speed free on 5 days per month
- Free premium WiFi-6 MESH modem/router for fast streaming
- No lock in contract or hidden costs
- Multilingual web content
- Free Premium Wifi 6 Modem/Router valued at $249.95
- Contact us via Live Chat or our toll free 1800 number
- Aussie based team
- No cost for plans or modems
- Supports regional and remote people
- Double your speed free on 5 days per month
- Free premium WiFi-6 MESH modem/router for fast streaming
- No lock in contract or hidden costs
- Unlimited Data – Stream, download and share what you love
- 4G Back up to power on through interruptions
- Wifi 6 Modem included at no cost.
Customers in remote areas (and some regional areas)
- Regional & remote internet experts
- Free Wi-Fi 6 router
- Aussie based sales & support
- Aussie based team
- No cost for plans or modems
- Supports regional and remote people
Important notes
# The details above are provided to nbn by participating internet providers as at 29 August 2024. Please contact them directly for full details of their individual School Student Broadband Initiative retail offers. nbn is a wholesaler and does not supply services directly to customers.
## Lemonade Broadband can only provide School Student Broadband Initiative services to qualifying families in Brisbane living in suburbs of Annerley, Auchenflower, Bardon, Bowen Hills, Coorparoo, Dutton Park, East Brisbane, Fortitude Valley, Greenslopes, Herston, Holland Park, Holland Park West, Indooroopilly, Kangaroo Point, Kelvin Grove, New Farm, Newstead, South Brisbane, Spring Hill, St Lucia, Stones Corner, Tarragindi, Taringa, Teneriffe, Toowong and Woolloongabba.
The rollout of the nbn network will involve new technologies, and some existing devices including many medical alarms, may not be compatible with these at all times. You should contact your equipment provider to find out if your alarm or other equipment will work when connected to the nbn network and what alternative solutions are available. For more information, visit nbn.com.au/compatibility
More information and assistance
Have questions about the National Referral Centre or School Student Broadband Initiative? Visit the National Referral Centre’s FAQs.