Digital Switchover Liaison Officer program
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.
What is the role of the Digital Switchover Liaison Officer?
The Digital Switchover Liaison Officer program is a key element of the Australian Government's plans to help people get ready for digital television in remote and regional Western Australia. The officers are employed by eligible organisations on the basis of a grant from the department.
Digital Switchover Liaison Officers provide communities with information to prepare for switchover. Depending on the needs of each switchover area, they will advise residents, community groups, local government and key education and health institutions.
The department has published guidelines for the program, for implementation in remote and regional Western Australia. These contain full details on the role of the officers, the responsibility of the host organisations and reporting requirements.
Expressions of interest—remote and regional Western Australia
The department is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from organisations or government bodies to host an officer in six switchover areas of operation in the remote and regional Western Australia switchover region (listed below).
The EOI information package includes an application form, program guidelines, maps and a draft funding agreement. Please email switchover_communityofficer@dbcde.gov.au to request an EOI information package and consult these if considering applying for a liaison officer position for your organisation.
Interested applicants need to complete an EOI application form and email or post it to the department to ensure delivery by close of business on Friday 14 September 2012.
Email: switchover_communityofficer@dbcde.gov.au
Postal address:
Assistant Director — Community Engagement Section
Digital Switchover Taskforce
Department of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy
GPO Box 4112, Sydney 2001
Remote and Regional Western Australia—maps
A map of the remote and regional Western Australia switchover region is provided in the EOI information package.
A detailed map of the six areas of operation is also provided, showing the geographical areas that the liaison officers must cover including:
- Kimblerley and Pilbara/Gascoyne
- Mid-West
- South West/Wheatbelt
- Goldfields/Esperence
- Lower South West
Who is eligible to apply?
Not-for-profit organisations as well as government entities are eligible to apply. Further details on eligibility are in the program guidelines and the sample funding agreement.
How are potential applicants selected?
Applicants will need to show they have the community networks, community engagement experience and the ability to host a Digital Switchover Liaison Officer. They will also need to demonstrate that they can manage the activities of the Digital Switchover Liaison Officer.
After reviewing expressions of interest, the department will contact selected organisations by phone or email to ask for full applications (an application form will be provided).
Further information
If you have a question about the program please contact the department by email at: switchover_communityofficer@dbcde.gov.au or call the Assistant Director of the Community Engagement Section (Digital Switchover Taskforce) on 0408 961 079.
