Australian Government Subsidies on Handsets

Australian Government subsidies available - APPLY NOW!

This is an initiative by the Australian Government to make mobile communications more accessible and affordable for people living or working in areas beyond 3G or GSM terrestrial mobile coverage.

Who is eligible for a subsidy?

Australian citizens and permanent residents, or registered businesses in Australia. You must live, work, or operate a business in an area not served by a current terrestrial mobile phone service. This includes Australia's air space, external territories and Exclusive Economic Zone.

You must either:

• Live in an area of Australia where terrestrial mobile phone coverage is not available;
• Run a small business in an area of Australia where terrestrial mobile phone coverage is not available; or
• Spend a substantial amount of time (120 days per year) in an area of Australia where terrestrial mobile phone coverage is not available.

You must also be one of the following:

• A private individual;
• A community group (non government funded);
• A not-for-profit organisation with less than 20 full-time equivalent employees - including casual and part-time (non government funded);
• An Indigenous Corporation;
• A small business;
• A volunteer emergency service; or
• An educational institution

How much are the subsidies?

The amount depends on your address and the price of the phone.

• Up to 85% of the retail price of the phone, to a maximum of $1,000 (including GST) if you live or run a business in an area without terrestrial mobile phone coverage.
• Up to 50% of the retail price of the phone, to a maximum of $700 (including GST) if you live or operate a business in an area that has terrestrial mobile phone coverage, but you spend 120 days per year in areas of Australia without coverage.

For more information on satellite phone subsidies, please call our Call Centre on 1800 80 44 10.