Digital Hubs program
Effective participation in the digital economy will deliver positive benefits for Australian families and communities in the form of improved access to business and job opportunities, health, education and government services.
The Australian Government will provide $13.6 million in grant funding over three years from 2011–12 to establish a Digital Hubs program that will help communities to gain the skills needed to maximise the benefits provided by the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The program will establish a Digital Hub in 40 communities that benefit from the NBN where work on the rollout has already commenced. Local residents will be provided with online training and the opportunity to experience NBN-enabled services and technology.
The Digital Hubs program, part of the Digital Communities initiative, contributes to the government's vision for Australia as a leading global digital economy by 2020. In particular, this program is designed to contribute towards the Digital Economy Goal that by 2020 Australia will rank in the top five nations in the OECD in the percentage of households that connect to broadband at home. More details about this vision and the Digital Economy Goals are available in the National Digital Economy Strategy.
www.nbn.gov.au/the-vision/digitaleconomystrategy
Applications for round three of the Digital Hubs program closed on 10 May 2012.
Community organisations funded under round one to operate Digital Hubs are listed below. If you are a resident of one of these locations and want to improve your internet skills or find out more about the benefits of the NBN, please contact your local hub.
| Location | Service provider | Address | Email address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armidale, NSW | Armidale Dumaresq Council | 4 Cinders Lane | |
| Brunswick, Vic | Brunswick Neighbourhood House | 8-10 Lobb Street | |
| Kiama, NSW | Kiama Municipal Council | 7 Railway Parade | |
| Midway Point, Tas | Pittwater Community Centre | 34 Hoffman Street | |
| Scottsdale, Tas | Dorset Council | 3 Ellenor Street | |
| Townsville, Qld | Townsville City Council | 4 Petunia Street | |
| Willunga, SA | City of Onkaparinga | 1 High Street |
For more information and background, please refer to:
- Media release: Federal government supports high-speed digital Australia
- Media release: Australia to become a leading digital economy by 2020
- Speech by Senator Stephen Conroy: Address to CeBIT Australia 2011
For further information, please contact the Department of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy via a free call to 1800 025 145 weekdays between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm eastern time, or by email to digitalhubs@dbcde.gov.au
