Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced that 36 communities across Australia will receive $15.2million to establish local NBN training services as part of the Gillard Government’s Digital Hubs and Digital Enterprises program.

The successful applicants will operate 24 Digital Hubs and 20 Digital Enterprise programs to highlight the opportunities of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

These programs will:

help individuals in local communities improve their online and digital literacy skills;
assist local residents to understand the opportunities created by the fast, affordable and reliable broadband delivered by the NBN; and

work with small businesses and not-for-profit organisations to develop their online presence and take full advantage of the NBN.

“I congratulate the successful applicants to these programs, which will help local communities take advantage of the NBN,” Senator Conroy said.

“Residents and businesses in these communities will learn about the opportunities and benefits of fast, affordable and reliable broadband, as well as get training and advice about how they can use the NBN.

“Through the Gillard Government’s investment in the NBN, all Australians will have access to fast, affordable and reliable broadband. Programs like these are important so that everyone can learn and gain confidence in the online opportunities made possible by the NBN,” Senator Conroy said.

The Gillard Government has committed a total of $23.6 million in funding to establish Digital Hubs and Digital Enterprise training services in 40 of the first communities to benefit from the National Broadband Network.

There are several communities where the grant funding process is continuing and announcements regarding these communities will be made due course.

For a list of service providers announced under previous funding rounds or for more information please visit www.dbcde.gov.au/digitalhubs and www.dbcde.gov.au/digitalenterprise.

For further information about the National Digital Economy Strategy visit www.nbn.gov.au/the-vision/digitaleconomystrategy/.

Information on projects funded under the Digital Hubs and Digital Enterprise and the communities for which funding has been made available is provided in the attached tables.

04 July 2012