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 mission of available, accessible and affordable communications that enhance the lives of consumers. 

Download: pdfACCAN Strategic Plan 2021-2024 1.35 MB

Download:docxACCAN Strategic Plan 2021-202435.21 KB

2022-23 Annual Report

Annual Report 2022 23 cover imageIt gives me great pleasure to present ACCAN’s 2022-23 Annual Report.  It seems like we say this every year, but looking back it’s clear this was an extremely busy time for all of us at ACCAN and we have achieved some great outcomes for consumers.  As the year progressed, it was great to put the effects of the pandemic behind us and slowly return to a more normal way of working, with more face-to-face interactions replacing the ubiquitous Zoom and Teams meetings. 

ACCAN made a substantial contribution to policy discussions through the year, completing over 60 submissions and representing consumers on more than 30 committees. We raised consumer awareness with the publication of several policy positions, including on the establishment of a retail registration scheme and recommending the development of an independent plan comparison tool. 

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: