The Government is investing $53 million in telecommunications infrastructure projects as part of the Regional Connectivity Program.

The program is being designed to target investment to local priorities to maximise economic opportunities and region-wide benefits for regional, rural and remote Australians.

This is part of the $220 million Stronger Regional Digital Connectivity Package, announced in the Government’s response to the 2018 Regional Telecommunications Review.

In August 2019, the Government released a discussion paper on the design of the Regional Connectivity Program. The consultation period for the discussion paper closed on 9 September 2019. 

There will be a further opportunity to comment on the Regional Connectivity Program guidelines when they are released for public consultation. The Government expects to open the application period for the Regional Connectivity Program in early 2020.