1. Introduction

 ACCAN was formed as a peak body for consumers and consumer organisations on communications issues, including telecommunications and the internet. ACCAN has a central role in advocacy, research, training, consultation, the provision of policy advice and consumer education. One specific function of ACCAN is to administer the distribution of funding previously allocated by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (section 593 grants).

Individuals and organisations joining ACCAN retain their identity and are able to advocate on their own or their members’ behalf. ACCAN is an important forum in which consumer concerns and views can be debated and shared and, as much as possible, resolved.

The overarching objective guiding ACCAN is to ensure that communications are available, accessible and affordable for all Australians.

The ACCAN constitution was created in 2008 and was last amended in 2023.

The Strategic Plan provides insights into ACCAN’s mission, values and strategic goals. The plan will direct the organisation’s work for the next three (3) years and sets out how ACCAN will achieve its vision of trusted, accessible, inclusive, affordable and available communications and digital services for all Australians.

Download:  pdfACCAN Strategic Plan 2025-2027252.61 KB

Download:  docxACCAN Strategic Plan 2025-202784.17 KB

2023-24 Annual Report

ACCAN Annual Report 2023 24 Cover ThumbnailCEO Report, Carol Bennett

I am pleased to present ACCAN’s Annual Report for 2023-24.

When I commenced as CEO of ACCAN in early July this year, my focus was on contributing to the national effort to improve access, affordability and functionality of communications for all Australians. No small task, but I am pleased to say ACCAN has continued its outstanding work in support of equitable access to fundamental services that enable Australians to build and sustain social connections, work productivity, health and safety. It’s hard to imagine a more important area when it comes to improving quality of life for consumers.

ACCAN Reconciliation Action Plan Cover Through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), ACCAN aims to:

  • build and maintain positive relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities;
  • ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and/or employees of ACCAN are valued for their unique perspectives and experiences;
  • support story telling as a culturally important form of communication for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
  • assist in reducing the digital divide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
  • demonstrate culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Picture of a man and a woman using Australian sign language to talk.

ACCAN values disability access. We want to be a model in this field, for other not-for-profits, industry and government. ACCAN has registered our 2022-2024 Disability Inclusion Action Plan with the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Register of Disability Discrimination Act Action Plans.

Through enacting our Disability Inclusion Action Plan, ACCAN aims to: