A government initiative to help students access the internet outside of school has just been expanded, allowing more families to have 12 months of free NBN in their home.

The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) was designed to narrow the digital divide, but despite the expansion of the program, advocates for regional communication say that not enough people know they can access it. 

“It’s pretty well not known. They’ve got 30,000 places available, and have only been about to fill about 1000,” Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia co-founder Kristy Sparrow said. 



Once considered eligible for the service, a family must be referred to the initiative to gain their 12 months of free NBN access, through services such as The Salvation Army, The Smith Family and St Vincent De Paul.

Ms Sparrow said that despite being an exciting program, the referral method through an external service adds an extra layer of difficulty.

In the latest expansion of the program, those able to refer and nominate eligible families will expand to schools, education departments, community organisations, Senators and Members of Parliament.

Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said that the government will work with communities to make sure that the initiative is well-understood. 

“It’s fantastic to see over 1,000 families who previously did not have internet at home can now enjoy the benefits of connectivity,” Minister Rowland said. 

“In 2023, being connected to broadband is essential to maximise educational opportunities and take advantage of a digital society,” she said. 

To be eligible for SSBI, families must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school in 2023.
• Not have an active nbn network internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
• Be referred by a nominating organisation. This will include consideration of whether the child has access to a device and the digital skills to use the internet safely.
• Live in a premises that can access the nbn network via a standard connection.