School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) offers eligible students free internet at home until Friday 30 June 2028.

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The extension of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) offers eligible students free internet at home until Friday 30 June 2028.

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.

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.
  2. Complete the paper form.
  3. Return it to the child’s teacher.
  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.

Steps for the school

School staff can complete an online application via the SSBI portal. Please refer to CASES21 to confirm the nominated student address. You must enter the CASES21 ID into the online form.

The department will only share address information with NBN for eligibility confirmation. You will receive an update on your application within approximately 2 weeks.

You will receive outcomes letters via the SSBI portal:

  • Eligible – address is eligible, including sign-up instructions and voucher number.
  • Not eligible – address is not eligible due to having an existing connection or being in a remote location (not covered by NBN).
  • Invalid – address may be incomplete or need further validation.

Schools should pass on outcome letters to families/carers. This will include a helpline for questions regarding the assessment or connecting with an RSP.

Find out how to access the SSBI portal and complete an application form using the SSBI quick reference guide – Completing an application form (PDF).

If you have any questions or queries, raise a general enquiry via the Department of Education Service Portal.

Information about Internet Providers

Eligible households can choose a provider from a list of participating internet providers. Each internet provider will have their own connection process, which may involve the use of personal information provided by the primary carer or parent.

If a household relocates to a new address between now and Friday 30 June 2028, they can continue to access the services in their new home (subject to the eligibility criteria). Participants must contact their internet provider if they are planning to move house. The internet provider will support them to move the service to their new property.

More information

Enquiries

For school enquiries, please contact the School Student Broadband Initiative team at SSBI@education.vic.gov.au.

Promotional materials

Guidance for alternative application approach

Education

Updated

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