First Nations connections funded
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The Federal Government is boosting digital connectivity for remote First Nations communities across Australia.
Fifteen remote First Nations communities will enjoy the benefits of free, community-wide Wi-Fi from a $20 million government initiative by the Albanese Government.
The program targets regions in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia, aiming to bridge the digital divide and enhance access to online services, digital literacy, education, and training opportunities.
“Free and reliable Wi-Fi is a gamechanger for remote First Nations communities - opening up new social and economic opportunities and better access to important services,” said Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians.
The program has so far connected communities such as Gan Gan and Wandawuy in the Northern Territory, Pukatja and Amata in South Australia, Pompuraaw in Queensland, and several others in Western Australia.
The service is powered by the NBN Co Sky Muster Plus Premium satellite service.
The rollout is part of a broader commitment under the Albanese Government’s $68 million package for First Nations digital inclusion, which also includes a Digital Support Hub and a network of digital mentors to foster digital capabilities.
Complementing the Wi-Fi initiative, the government has released the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap, developed after nearly two years of work by the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (FNDIAG).
This roadmap outlines strategies to overcome barriers to digital inclusion, supporting Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which seeks equal levels of digital inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by 2026.
The roadmap was created with extensive community input.
“The roadmap recognises the importance of place-based solutions and puts First Nations people and communities at the centre of this work. Importantly, the roadmap provides a way forward to not only narrow the digital divide but support First Nations people to innovate and thrive online by having access to the opportunities enabled by digital inclusion,” Senator McCarthy said.
More details on the First Nations Digital Inclusion initiatives are accessible here.
