How to access the School Student Broadband Initiative

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 12 February 2024

Contents

In this guide:

School Student Broadband Initiative: Eligibility
School Student Broadband Initiative: How to apply
School Student Broadband Initiative: Participating internet providers
School Student Broadband Initiative FAQs

The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is a program by the Australian Government that provides free NBN to up to 30,000 families with school-aged children who don't already have internet at home.

The program is designed to help families who may not be able to pay for internet at home. The program has been extended until December 31, 2025.

School Student Broadband Initiative: Eligibility

Before you can apply for the SSBI and access free internet you need to check to see if your household is eligible.

Families must:

Have a child living at home who is enrolled in an Australian school. This includes up to year 12 and early schooling years Prep (QLD, VIC, TAS), Kindergarten (NSW), Reception (SA), Transition (NT, ACT) and Pre-Primary (WA).
Not already have an active NBN internet service at home. A mobile internet service doesn't count as an NBN internet service
Live at a premises that is able to access the NBN through a standard connection
Not have had an active NBN connection in the previous 14 days

School Student Broadband Initiative: How to apply

Once you know you meet the eligibility criteria for the SSBI program you'll need to apply. Applications can be made through two methods:

Be identified and referred to the SSBI program through a Nominating Organisation. Examples of participating Nominating Organisations at a national level include Catholic Network Australia, Mission Australia Housing, Public Education Foundation, St Vincent de Paul Society (excl. VIC and WA), The Salvation Army, The Smith Family and Work Ventures. See the full list of Nominating organisations
Self-nominate via the National Referral Centre (NRC). The NRC can be contacted via 1800 954 610 between 10am and 6pm AEDT weekdays, excluding Public Holidays. The NRC will assess your eligibility via an assessment

Once a Nominating Organisation or the NRC has confirmed your nomination your family will receive an eligibility letter. This will include a voucher number - you'll need to quote the voucher number to a participating provider to receive your free NBN service.

The eligibility letter will contain a list of participating internet service providers available in your area.

You'll then need to contact your preferred participating internet provider. Vouchers for free NBN are valid until December 31 2024 but spaces are limited to 30,000 activations. Families who successfully connect before the end of the year will get two years of free NBN service.

Vouchers are single-use for one address and cannot be transferred to another family.

The NRC can provide follow-up support and assistance with contacting your chosen internet provider.

School Student Broadband Initiative: Participating internet providers

The following internet service providers are offering free internet as part of the SSBI for metro and regional areas (and some remote areas).

Here are NBN 50 plans from participating NBN providers:

#1	Belong	Belong All Fixed Line nbn® NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $36 off for 6 months - $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth (Offer ends 04.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#2	Superloop	Superloop All Fixed Line nbn® Extra-value nbn50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 months! $69/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Bundle & Save $69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#3	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband All Fixed Line nbn® Value nbn - Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 47/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING25. $95/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70 Go to Site	$70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus All Fixed Line nbn® Optus Everyday nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Introductory Offer - $87/mth for 12 mths, then $97/mth or as notified. New services only. Minimum cost $393. Terms apply. $87/mth for first 12 months, normally $97/mth Min. cost $87 Link not supplied	$87/mth for first 12 months, normally $97/mth Min. cost $87	Link not supplied
#5	Vodafone	Vodafone All Fixed Line nbn® Essential+ nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone. T&Cs apply. $94/mth Min. cost $94 Link not supplied	$94/mth Min. cost $94	Link not supplied

Lemonade Broadband is also a participating provider, however, it can only provide SSBI services to families living in certain Brisbane suburbs where it operates.

Here are Fixed Wireless plans from participating providers:

#1	Skymesh	Skymesh NBN Wireless Plus nbn® Wireless Speed Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for first 6 months, then $94.95/mth. T&Cs apply. $74.95/mth for first 6 months, then $94.95/mth Min. cost $74.95 Link not supplied	$74.95/mth for first 6 months, then $94.95/mth Min. cost $74.95	Link not supplied
#2	Activ8me	Activ8me Fixed Wireless Standard 25 nbn® Wireless Speed Unlimited Data Deal: 2 months free! New residential customers only who sign up on an eligible plan with an RRP of under $85/mth. T&Cs apply $74.95/mth Min. cost $74.95 Go to Site	$74.95/mth Min. cost $74.95	Go to Site
#3	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband nbn® Fixed Wireless Plus Unlimited nbn® Wireless 80/9 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING20. $95/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $75/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $75 Go to Site	$75/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $75	Go to Site
#4	Superloop	Superloop nbn Fixed Wireless Plus (100/20) nbn® Wireless 80/12 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $15/mth off 6 months! $77/mth for 6 mths, then $92/mth + Free eero 7 modem when you stay for 24 mths + Bundle & Save $77/mth for first 6 mths, then $92/mth Min. cost $77 Go to Site	$77/mth for first 6 mths, then $92/mth Min. cost $77	Go to Site

Here are Satellite NBN plans from participating providers:

Sky Muster 155GB Sonic

nbn® Satellite Basic II Speed
155GB Data
Deal: 2 months free! New residential customers only who sign up on an eligible plan with an RRP of under $85/mth. T&Cs apply

$49.95/mth

Min. cost $49.95

Link not supplied

$49.95/mth

Min. cost $49.95

Link not supplied

Skymesh Ultra 25 Plan

nbn® Satellite Speed
Unlimited Data
Deal: Includes $10/mth off for first 6 months, then $74.95/mth. T&Cs apply.

$64.95/mth

Min. cost $64.95

Link not supplied

$64.95/mth

Min. cost $64.95

Link not supplied

School Student Broadband Initiative FAQs

What NBN speed or Sky Muster plan is available to SSBI participants?

The program aims for all families to be connected to an NBN 50 plan where possible.

Will the School Student Broadband Initiative be extended again?

There's no guarantee the free internet service will be extended beyond December 31, 2025, but according to Anglicare Victoria, the government is considering the option.

What happens when the School Student Broadband Initiative ends?

When the free internet program ends in December 2025, providers should advise participating families of their options. Providers shouldn't automatically put you onto a paid plan without your consent. See the cheapest NBN plan options.

Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.

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