Affordable Telecommunications Services
14 May 2026
For Australians, a phone or internet connection isn’t optional; it’s how we access jobs, education, healthcare, government services, and in an emergency, Triple Zero.
As the cost-of-living rises, staying connected is getting harder. Major providers have raised prices on both mobile and home internet plans, and for too many households, paying the phone or internet bill now means going without other essentials. Telecommunications are an essential service and should be formally recognised as such under Australian federal and state legislation.
ACCAN believes no Australian should be forced offline because they cannot afford to stay connected. That’s why we are calling for action through a set of targeted solutions designed to help the people who need them most.
ACCAN is calling on the Government to take the following steps:
Create a concessional broadband product for low-income households receiving Commonwealth financial support.
Cap retail prices on NBN’s Entry Level Offer to close the gap between wholesale costs and what consumers actually pay.
Fund an Independent Plan Comparison Tool so Australians can easily compare mobile and internet plans across providers.
Include affordability safeguards in the universal services framework to ensure new mobile coverage does not come with unaffordable price tags.
Establish an emergency connectivity assistance program with service vouchers and device provision for Australians in acute financial hardship.
Fund a comprehensive consumer education program that supports tailored solutions for different affordability needs and is adapted for First Nations communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, older Australians, and people with disabilities.
Connectivity is not a luxury. It is how Australians work, learn, access healthcare, and call for help in an emergency.
Every Australian needs an affordable connection for the modern world, and ACCAN looks forward to working with the Government, industry, and other consumer groups to ensure that no Australian is left offline.
Read our full position: