School Student Broadband Initiative
This support article provides some useful information around the Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).
What is the SSBI?
The School Student Broadband Initiative, also shortened to SSBI, is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide internet access to Australian families with school-aged children. While most households in Australia have access to the internet, some do not, and this may place children at a disadvantage to their classmates. The Australian Government has committed to providing up to 30,000 families with an nbn® service until 30 June 2028 at no cost in order to boost education opportunities. Vodafone is proud to be a participant in this important initiative.
What Vodafone can offer you
As a participant in the School Student Broadband Initiative, Vodafone is proud to be supporting the Federal Government in delivery of the School Student Broadband Initiative, that has provided affordable home internet over the nbn network to around 30,0000 families and carers.
Vodafone recognises the importance of broadband in schooling and will continue to support those families and carers that connected with us for SSBI, through to 30 June 2028.
Spaces on the Governments School Student Broadband Initiative are now fully allocated. For further Information please contact the National Referral Centre (NRC) on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT).
Families or carers that are already connected to Vodafone on the SSBI Program, we will continue to support you on this program until 30 June 2028. If you are moving home while in the program, please contact Vodafone on 1300 80 11 22 during their working hrs Mon - Sun: 8.00 AM to 12.00 AM to organise moving of your service.
Additional Information
With Vodafone, our SSBI nbn® service has typical evening speeds of 50Mbps. Typical evening speed is subject to change is measured 7pm – 11pm. Speeds vary. Actual speeds for FTTB/N/C services to be confirmed.
For more information on nbn® speeds, check out our Speed Guide.
For troubleshooting and installation support, please visit our nbn® support page.
No, an SSBI service is not able to be transferred to another participating SSBI internet provider. Families and carers can choose to disconnect and leave the initiative at any time.
No. Once cancelled, you cannot re-join later on SSBI.
If you move to an address that is nbn® serviceable with your existing SSBI provider, we will be able to move your connection to your new address BUT you must remain with your existing SSBI RSP. This does not require a new voucher to be issued.
The SSBI offer is due to expire on the 30 June 2028.
Vodafone will work with the Government, nbn® and the Industry on transition options for families and carers on the SSBI program.
It is important to note, that SSBI families and carers will be required to opt into any new offer at the end of the Program on 30 June 2028 and will not be automatically moved to the new plan without the account holders’ consent.
SSBI nbn® Plan
For personal use only by approved persons or families that: (a) are deemed eligible to participate in the School Student Broadband Initiative (“SSBI") by NBN; and (b) provide Vodafone with an eligible SSBI voucher code (“Eligible Families”). Eligible Families participating in the SSBI will receive the Vodafone (NBN50) Essential+ with 4G Backup plan with all fees waived (“SSBI NBN Plan”) until 30 June 2028 (“Plan Period”). Available to customers who has signed up until 30 June 2025. You must use the Vodafone supplied NBN modem with the SSBI NBN Plan. Your minimum monthly spend will be $0 per month. You can cancel at any time by calling customer care on 1300 80 11 22. If you choose to change to another retail service provider or change NBN plans before the end of the Plan Period, you are likely to lose access to the SSBI NBN Plan. You will not be charged for the SSBI NBN Plan. There is no charge for the Vodafone supplied NBN modem and it is yours to retain at the end of the Plan Period. Before the end of the Plan Period, Vodafone will contact you to advise you of your NBN plan options.
Vodafone (NBN50) Essential+ 4G Backup nbn® plan Key Facts Sheet:
https://www.vodafone.com.au/documents/others/kfs-con-feb2023.pdf
Vodafone nbn® plans
Vodafone Wi-Fi Hub™ 3.0 can operate with a maximum of 128 compatible Wi-Fi enabled devices at any one time. Internet speeds on this plan are variable and you will typically experience much slower speeds than the maximum connection speed available on your plan. Typical Busy Speed: This is the typical busy period download speed that the average consumer can expect to receive between 7pm and 11pm. It is not a guaranteed minimum speed and you may experience lower speeds during this period. The speeds you experience will vary on a number of factors such as the nbn® technology used to deliver your service, plan choice, location, internet traffic demand, our network, line condition, the number of devices connected to your network, modem type and positioning, Wi-Fi performance, in-building wiring, and the content you access.
Services subject to number of devices connected, network coverage and your location. Our Fair Use Policy applies.
For FTTB/FTTN/FTTC services only
If you’re connecting to the nbn™ using FTTB/FTTN/FTTC technologies, then we’ll check your maximum attainable line speed once we receive this information from NBN after activation. If the maximum line speed at your address doesn’t support the speed tier of your SSBI NBN Plan (NBN50), we’ll let you know, and give you the option to: (1) remain on your SSBI NBN Plan (no action required); or (2) terminate your SSBI NBN Plan, free of charge (you must contact Vodafone to terminate your service). As there is only one SSBI NBN Plan (NBN50) available under the SSBI which is charged at $0 over the Plan Period, no refunds or plan downgrade will be available to you.
TP-Link VX420-G2H
TP-Link VX420-G2H utilises Wi-Fi 6 technology and in comparison to Wi-Fi 5 is capable of supporting up to four times as many Wi-Fi enabled devices. Wi-Fi 6 is the next generation of Wi-Fi.
Vodafone 4G Backup
Vodafone 4G Back-up is a complimentary service for 4G Backup nbn® plans only that provides an interim internet connection using either the Vodafone 3G or 4G network in Vodafone Coverage Areas only. It is only available using the Vodafone Wi-Fi Hub™ 2.0 or Vodafone Wi-Fi Hub™ 3.0 (“Modem”) with a Vodafone SIM on our network. 4G Back-up is available from when you receive your Modem until your nbn® service is fully activated or for a period of 30 consecutive days (whichever occurs first). This service will also be automatically activated if you lose connection to Vodafone nbn® during confirmed local nbn® faults. This excludes mass nbn® outages. You will be able to use the Backup service until the fault is resolved or for a period of 30 consecutive days (whichever occurs first). Service performance varies depending on network coverage and your location with speeds likely less than the maximum. Our Fair Use Policy applies.
Installation
The process for installation of Vodafone nbn® will vary depending on the nbn® service type available at your premises. We will inform you of the process for installation at your premises when you sign-up. If you require installation by an nbn® technician they will need access to your home and someone aged 18+ must be home. If you do not own the property, you must obtain consent from the owner in order to have Vodafone nbn® installed. You are responsible for setting up your TP-Link VX420-G2H and your Wi-Fi network.
nbn®
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