34%
of survey respondents face affordability barriers with the main challenges being the high cost of internet (86%) and high cost of devices
67%
of people in social housing and 64% of people in remote areas face financial challenges to getting online
Statistics valid at January 2025.
Initiatives
- Collect and distribute refurbished government laptops through the establishment of a NSW Device Bank to support those in need.
- Engage telecommunications providers to promote affordable broadband for targeted communities.
- Conduct a feasibility study on a government data donation model for redistributing unused mobile data.
- Co-design new parameters for the School Student Broadband Initiative to include additional cohorts beyond families with school-aged children.
- Explore affordable connectivity solutions through partnerships with telecommunications carriers.
- Advocate for tools, such as a connectivity options checker, to help communities understand their connectivity options by engaging with federal regulators.
- Develop digital inclusion criteria for selecting procurement partners in alignment with the Disability Royal Commission recommendations.
- Investigate digital access measures to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
- Consult communities on a digital device voucher program to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
More information about the affordability pillar is in the strategy.
It’s embarrassing to have to rely on public wi-fi. The children get tormented if they have to use the public library because they don’t have wi-fi at home.
Person with disability, Griffith NSW