Senator Jana Stewart
Senator for Victoria

The Hon. Michelle Rowland MP
Member for Greenway
Minister for Communications

Australian Government’s full-fibre upgrade investment delivers the world-class infrastructure for regional communities

Regional communities are set to benefit most from the Australian Government’s investment to expand full-fibre National Broadband Network (NBN) access to a million more premises, with the majority of towns and suburbs eligible for upgrades outside our major cities.

Up to 58 per cent of premises included in the Albanese Government’s latest upgrade announcement are in regional areas currently served by the Liberals and Nationals outdated and unreliable copper network. In Nicholls, the towns of Broadford, Cobram, Echuca, Kialla, Kyabram, and Yarrawonga will be eligible for full-fibre upgrades. Additionally, eligible towns in Mallee include Cohuna, Horsham, Mildura, and Swan Hill..

These upgrades are part of the NBN’s fibre upgrade program which has been boosted by the Albanese Government’s commitment to expand full-fibre access to 1.5 million additional premises by the end of 2025 with a $2.4 billion equity investment over four years in the 2022-23 Federal Budget.

The benefits of a world-class fibre broadband include faster upload and download speeds, and a more reliable connection. The benefits are even more pronounced for larger households if many devices are used, as higher speeds means the whole family can be online at the same time.

An upgrade will be available on-demand where an eligible household orders a higher speed plan than would currently be available to them over copper.

NBN Co expects eligible premises within these announced suburbs will be able to access a full-fibre upgrade from 2024.

The remaining locations to be upgraded as part of the Government’s investment in expanding full-fibre access are expected to be announced by early 2024.

Upgrades to the fixed line network come in addition to the Albanese Government unlocking $480 million to upgrade the Fixed Wireless network – investments the Liberals and Nationals promised, but never delivered.

For a full list of eligible towns and suburbs or to register for updates, visit: https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/fttp-upgrade-with-higher-speed-tiers

For more information on the Albanese Government’s investment, visit: minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/albanese-government-delivers-major-nbn-boost-2022-23-federal-budget

Quotes Attributable to Hon, Minister for Skills and Training 

“The Albanese Government is determined to narrow the digital divide between our major cities, and regional communities.

“For too long, Australians living in regional centres and the bush have had to deal with slow speeds and drop outs because of inferior copper technology rolled out by the Liberals and Nationals.

“Our plan for a better NBN will see regional communities benefit the most from world-class, full-fibre broadband, and comes in addition to our work to upgrade the Fixed Wireless network.

“We’re giving Australian families and small businesses in our regions access to the world-class broadband infrastructure they deserve”.

Quotes attributable to Jana Stewart, Senator for Victoria:  

“I’m proud to be part of a Government that takes investment in regional communications seriously.

“Families and small business across regional Victoria have been left behind when it comes to broadband speed, reliability and quality because of poor decisions made by the Liberals and Nationals.

“These upgrades are a gamechanger and will help unlock the digital economy for locals across the electorate of Nicholls and Mallee”.