Australian Broadband Guarantee
- About the Australian Broadband Guarantee
- Information for consumers
- Information for providers
- Compliance Reporting
- Australian Broadband Guarantee updates and case studies
- Program guidelines
About the Australian Broadband Guarantee
The Australian Broadband Guarantee is an Australian Government initiative designed to help residential and small business premises access a metro-comparable broadband service regardless of where they are located. The program targets premises unable to access commercial metro-comparable services, particularly those living in remote parts of Australia.
Under the Australian Broadband Guarantee, a metro-comparable broadband service is defined as any service that offers a minimum 512kbps download and 128kbps upload data speed, 3GB per month data usage at a total cost of $2500 GST inclusive over three years (including installation and connection fees).
The program works by paying internet service providers that register with the program a subsidy to provide metro-comparable broadband services to residential and small business premises where such services would not otherwise be available.
The Government has allocated $250.8 million over four years to 2012 to fund the Australian Broadband Guarantee, which complements the National Broadband Network by subsidising access to metro-comparable broadband where not otherwise available while the new network is rolled out.
Information for consumers
The choice of broadband services at your premises will largely depend on which internet service providers are operating in your area and what technology they are using. To find out what services are available in your area, including subsidised Australian Broadband Guarantee services, visit the Broadband Service Locator.
Alternatively, you can contact the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on freecall 1800 883 488 weekdays between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm (AEST) and a consumer support officer will be happy to assist you.
More information about the Australian Broadband Guarantee is available in our 
Frequently Asked Questions.
If you would like more information about broadband generally and how to choose a broadband plan that suits your needs, visit Broadband for Consumers or take a look at this list of common broadband terms developed by the Department.
Information for providers
From time to time, the Department calls for applications from internet service providers interested in registering for the program. Details of any future rounds will be provided on this page.
Compliance Reporting
Australian Broadband Guarantee providers are required to meet annual and half yearly compliance reporting obligations as outlined in the program guidelines and in providers’ funding deeds. Further information on the half yearly compliance reporting requirements for the period July–December 2009 as well as the Compliance Report Form and Statutory Declaration Proforma are available below.
- Half Yearly Compliance Reporting Requirements (PDF, 43 KB)
Half Yearly Compliance Reporting Requirements (RTF, 2 MB)
- Half Yearly Compliance Report Form (PDF, 45 KB)
- Half Yearly Compliance Report Form (RTF, 293 KB)
- Statutory Declaration Proforma (PDF, 33 KB)
- Statutory Declaration Proforma (RTF, 54 KB)
Australian Broadband Guarantee updates and case studies
For updates about the Australian Broadband Guarantee and to read the success stories of small businesses with broadband connections made possible by the program, visit Australian Broadband Guarantee updates and case studies.
Program Guidelines
Providers and consumers who would like to access the full Australian Broadband Guarantee Guidelines can download the document below:
