top of page

ACCAN’s Consumer Engagement with the NBN   

Starting in October 2024, ACCAN began a new project to make sure the NBN works better for consumers. Thanks to a $2.56 million grant from the Australian Government, we are scrutinising how the NBN operates and spends its funds.  

Image by Compare Fibre

ACCAN’s Consumer Engagement with the NBN

Starting in October 2024, ACCAN began a new project to make sure the NBN works better for consumers. Thanks to a $2.56 million grant from the Australian Government, we are scrutinising how the NBN operates and spends its funds.  

Screenshot 2026-03-10 162930.png

Future of Australia's NBN - Community Engagement Report

In 2025, ACCAN conducted a national community engagement program with consumers, small businesses and sector stakeholders. The program informed ACCAN’s submission to the ACCC’s consultation on NBN Co’s Replacement Module Application (RMA).

 

Following this engagement program, a report - Future of Australia’s NBN - was released on 10 March 2026. The report presents the feedback gathered through these discussions, outlines participants’ experiences with the NBN, their communication needs, and their views on NBN Co’s proposed expenditure and work programs. The findings aim to help ensure broadband services better meet the needs of consumers, small businesses and households across Australia.

What does this mean for you? 

  • More say in how the NBN is run: we’re involved in high-level discussions making sure consumer voices are heard when decisions are made about NBN spending and services 

  • Better services and fairer prices: we’re advocating for better service standards and NBN Co to cut unnecessary costs, which can lead to lower prices for consumers in the long run. 

  • Ensuring value for money: The NBN is a huge investment and forecast to collect and spend $110 billion by 2040. We’re working to make sure your money is spent wisely. 

How it works: 

  • NBN Co is now required to subject all spending proposals to oversight by consumers and industry. 

  • We’re part of a consumer panel, known as the Regulatory Proposal Forum, to review these plans and make sure they benefit all Australians. 

  • NBN Co will submit its detailed expenditure proposals by 2 July 2025 and a final decision will be made by the ACCC by 30 June 2026. 

  • The proposal will cover NBN revenue, pricing and service levels through 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029. 

Why it matters: 

The NBN is a vital service, and we’re dedicated to making sure it’s reliable, affordable and meets the needs of Australians.  

Want to learn more? 

Read our public submissions on NBN Co’s economic plans: 

Read our progress reports: 

How it works: 

  • NBN Co is required to subject all spending proposals to oversight by consumers and industry, under the 2023 Variation of the Special Access Undertaking (SAU).  

  • The SAU creates a system of regulatory reset cycles through which NBN Co’s expenditure and work programs are reviewed by the ACCC, with input from consumer groups and industry.

  • For this First Regulatory Cycle, ACCAN has participated as part of a consumer panel, known as the Regulatory Proposal Forum, to review these plans and make sure they benefit all Australians. 

  • NBN Co submitted its detailed expenditure proposals, known as a Replacement Module Application (RMA), with and a final decision, known as the Replacement Module Determination (RMD), to be made by the ACCC by 30 June 2026. 

  • The ACCC’s RMD will determine NBN Co’s expenditure plans, allowable revenue, product pricing and service standards through 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029. This process will then resume for the Second Regulatory Cycle.

  • For more information on regulatory resets, see the Australian Energy Regulator’s Better Resets Handbook

bottom of page