Free internet access is available to students who don’t have reliable internet at home. Families of eligible students should follow the steps on this page to request internet access.

There are currently 2 internet options for eligible families:

• the Australian Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)
• the department’s Student Home Internet Program (SHIP).

Reliable internet access supports online study at home, for the purpose of extended learning. It also allows teachers to design more learning experiences that use digital technology.

Free broadband internet (NBN) until December 2025 – School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

Eligible families with school aged children can get a free National Broadband Network (NBN) internet connection until 31 December 2025. This offer is available under the Australian Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).

Who can get it

Families without a current NBN connection could be eligible to receive this offer.

Check if you’re eligible

To check if you’re eligible you can either:

• call the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (weekdays 9:30am to 5:30pm South Australian time)
• visit the School Student Broadband Initiative – National Referral Centre and use callback or webchat.

Translating and interpreting services are available.

The team will assess if you’re eligible. You need to tell them your residential address and answer some questions to determine if you meet the government’s eligibility criteria.

If you’re not eligible but don’t have reliable home internet, you can apply for the Student Home Internet Program (below on this page).

How to sign up to the free NBN

If eligible, you’ll get a voucher you can use at any of the participating SSBI internet providers.

Good to know

You don’t need to provide financial information to take part in the SSBI initiative. The National Referral Centre can also help you with contacting your internet provider of choice or by providing follow-up support.

Changing from the Student Home Internet Program to the free NBN offer

If your current internet connection is through the Student Home Internet Program and you receive an offer for the School Student Broadband Initiative, you can choose to get the free NBN connection.

You’ll need to cancel your student home internet wireless service until 31 December 2025. To cancel, let your school know and return your devices to them. (You can reapply in 2026.)

What happens after 31 December 2025

Towards the end of 2025, your NBN provider will contact you and let you know about your options for internet service after 31 December 2025.

You can also choose to reapply for the wireless Student Home Internet Program (below on this page).

The Australian Government is exploring options to support participating families at the end of 2025, including consideration of a discounted retail broadband plan to help keep them connected.

More about the School Student Broadband Initiative

For more information on the School Student Broadband Initiative contact the SSBI National Referral Centre:

Freecall: 1800 954 610 (weekdays 9:30am to 5:30pm South Australian time)
Website: School Student Broadband Initiative – National Referral Centre

Student Home Internet Program (SHIP)

Families without reliable home internet can request free wireless internet from the department through Student Home Internet Program.

Students must only use the internet access for learning and study at home.

Find translated flyers and the request form and user agreement for the Student Home Internet Program (on this page) in 7 languages.

Who can get it

All SA government school students who don’t have adequate home internet access.

You don’t need a fixed line connection.

What you’ll get from the department

The department will supply you with:

• a dongle (small USB device), if you need one
• a mobile internet SIM card
• home internet access until the end of the school year.

You won’t need a dongle if your child will be using a laptop or tablet with a SIM card slot.

At the end of the school year the internet access will be deactivated. You can apply again for the following year if you still need the service.

How to apply for the Student Home Internet Program

You can submit an application for the Student Home Internet Program at any time during the school year.

To request home internet access:

1. complete the Student Home Internet Program (SHIP) request form and user agreement (PDF 737 KB) – find translated SHIP forms (on this page) below
2. submit the form to your school via email, fax or in person.

You only need to submit 1 request form for your household. The internet access can support multiple students.

Your school will then request the internet service from the department. We’ll set up your access and send the devices to your school. Your school will let you know when you can pick them up (usually early term 1).

If you apply during the school year, allow 2 to 3 weeks for this process.

Setting up your student home internet

The student home internet user guide (PDF 435 KB) steps you through how to set up your home internet.

Contact your school if you need additional support.

Your home internet connection will be deactivated at the end of the school year. You can keep the internet devices if you’ll be requesting access again the following year.

Cancelling your student home internet

If you no longer need the home internet access, you need to:

1. let your school know
2. return the internet devices to your school.

This could be because:

• your child is leaving the school
• you’re getting your own stable internet service
• you’re accepting the free NBN offer under the School Student Broadband Initiative (see above on this page).

Monitoring data use

We’ll monitor student home internet data use. Your school will contact you if you’ve used more data than we think is reasonable for educational purposes.

Your internet service may be suspended or disabled if this continues.