Digital television switchover

The Australian Government has announced that all free-to-air television broadcasters in Australia will complete the switch from analog transmission to digital-only transmission by the end of 2013. The timetable for the digital switchover was announced on 19 October 2008 by Senator Stephen Conroy and shows when the switchover will occur region by region across the country.

• Digital TV Timetable by Region (PDF, 33.6 KB)
• Digital TV Timetable by Region (RTF, 158.8 KB)
• Digital TV Timetable by Region (Word, 96.5 KB)

Digital television will provide the benefits of improved picture and sound quality and greater program choice.

For viewers, this will require a number of changes to the way in which television broadcasts are received including obtaining new equipment to receive the digital signals.

For retailers, this will require understanding the changes to the technology to better advise customers on the available options.

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy is working closely with the broadcasting industry, the retail sector and other parties to ensure the smooth transition to digital-only televisions broadcasts and that viewers enjoy the associated benefits.

Get Ready for Digital TV

Visit the Get Ready for Digital TV website for the latest information about the digital switchover and when your region is scheduled to begin the switchover process.

Digital Switchover Taskforce

The Digital Switchover Taskforce within the Department is responsible for coordinating and overseeing Australia's transition to digital from analog television.

Its objectives are to:

• Advise Government on policy settings, implementation and issues connected with digital switchover
• Develop and implement a program framework, including a switchover timetable, to complete the switchover from analog to digital television transmission in Australia by the end of 2013
• Manage an information and education program explaining the switchover process to all Australians setting out what they will need to do and how to get further information
• Convene meetings of an Industry Advisory Group consisting of stakeholders, including broadcasters, retailers, manufacturers, antenna technicians and public and commercial housing agencies, government departments; and coordinate these stakeholders to utilise their expertise in delivering switchover by the end of 2013

Digital broadcasting policies and consultations

• Digital broadcasting regulatory framework
• Datacasting
• Digital broadcasting policy reviews
• Digital Switchover Legislation Discussion Paper (13 November 2008)
• Digital conversion of self-help television retransmission sites: discussion paper (26 June 2007)

Digital Tracker Survey

The Digital Tracker Survey measures the national uptake of digital television and Australians’ awareness and attitudes towards the switchover to digital TV.

The reports of each survey will be released quarterly.

• Digital Tracker Report on Quarter 1, 2009
• Digital Tracker Report on Quarter 2, 2009
• Digital Tracker Report on Quarter 3, 2009 (PDF, 1.7Mb)

Report on Digital Television Transmission and Reception

The reports are to be tabled in Parliament every quarter from 1 April 2009.

• Reports on Digital Television Transmission and Reception
  The reports give information on the progress by commercial and national broadcasters to meet their obligations to achieve the equivalent coverage and reception quality in digital as in analog. The reports also identify likely transmission blackspots.