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ACCAN and Your Privacy Rights

ACCAN has a commitment to adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which are contained in schedule 1 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act).

What personal information does ACCAN collect?

ACCAN only collects personal information that it is necessary for us to carry out our work. If you lodge an enquiry, application, subscription, case study or subscribe to our mailing lists we may require the following information:

• Contact details, which may include a business contact number or email address;
• Details of the nature of your enquiry
• Details pertaining to specific experiences with phone or internet products and services

ACCAN may also collect personal details for the purposes of membership. This use is described below.

How is case study information used?

On occasion consumers contact ACCAN to describe their individual experiences with phone and Internet products services. ACCAN treats all cases as confidential. ACCAN is not a complaint handling body. We cannot investigate or handle complaints. ACCAN may use case study information from time to time in its representation work for all consumers.

If you wish to remain anonymous or do not wish to supply specific information to ACCAN, you may do so; however, please note that the ACCAN may not be able to use your data when analysing consumer issues.

Disclosure to other parties

From time to time ACCAN may provide case study information, including personal information, to agencies such as the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Communications Alliance and other relevant industry bodies. Where ACCAN makes a decision that your case should be referred to another agency, we will gain your consent prior to disclosing any of your personal details.

Other information collected by ACCAN

In order to carry out its functions, ACCAN maintains a database of industry contacts and government agencies. ACCAN also maintains a database of individuals and organisations who have asked to receive ACCAN publications, media releases, WebNews and other information.

Access to your information

You have the right to access the information about you that ACCAN may have collected and held. Access to your information can be arranged by contacting ACCAN.

Any complaints about ACCAN's privacy policy or procedures can be made to the Chief Executive Officer.

Information Logged When Using the ACCAN Website

What information does the ACCAN website collect?

To help ensure that our website is providing useful advice to as many people as possible, ACCAN uses Google Analytics to collect aggregated anonymous statistical information.

This information is collected for statistical purposes only. No attempt will be made by ACCAN to identify you or your browsing activities.

Our website uses Google Analytics, a service which transmits website traffic data to Google servers in the United States. Google Analytics does not identify individual users or associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. We use reports provided by Google Analytics to help us understand our website traffic and webpage usage.

By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner described in Google's Privacy Policy and for the purposes set out above. You can opt out of Google Analytics if you disable or refuse the cookie, disable JavaScript, or use the opt-out service provided by Google.

Electronic mail addresses

ACCAN will only record your email address if you send us a message or subscribe to our mailing lists. This will only be used for the purpose for which you have provided it, and will not be added to a mailing list unless you request that this be done. If you elect to unsubscribe from WebNews or other mailing lists this will be done as soon as practicable. We will not disclose your email address without your consent.

Member information

Members of ACCAN are able to check and update their details from this website. Authorised ACCAN staff are also able to access members' full details.

Members' contact details provided to ACCAN are used for general liaison, the distribution of relevant information about ACCAN activities and issuing invoices, ACCAN mailing list and requests for publications. Information provided for these purposes will be used for these purposes only. It will not be distributed further or disclosed without the user's consent.

Links to other sites

ACCAN does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from, or connected to, the use of any material contained on this website or on any linked site.

ACCAN recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of this website and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the material on this website for their purposes.  This website is not a substitute for independent professional advice and users should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

Internet security

If you are submitting information over the Internet that you wish to remain private, you should be aware that there is a small possibility that information you submit could be observed by a third party while in transit.

If you would like to use another method to contact us or provide us with information, please feel free via telephone or post.

The following e-commerce policy is offered as an outline to the e-commerce facilities available through this site.

List of services offered by ACCAN

• Organisational membership to ACCAN valued between $0.00 and $275.00 annually (inc. GST).
• Individual membership to ACCAN valued between $0.00 and $33.00 annually (inc. GST).
• Registration for the ACCAN National Conference. This service is not currently offered through accan.org.au. The approximate value will be $120 – $900 (inc. GST).

Note:
These services are currently offered by ACCAN (July 2011-present) but are not intended to limit the services offered in the future. Prices are reviewed by ACCAN executives and Board on an annual basis and are subject to change. 

Refund policy

If ACCAN membership is not approved by the Board, all monies will be refunded to the applying organisation or individual within 14 business days of the Board’s decision being made available to the applicant.

Attendees of the ACCAN National Conference will have the option to cancel their registration.  If registration is cancelled within 14 days of the event no refund will be offered, otherwise a full refund will be given.

Delivery / Returns / Postage

There are no delivery, returns or postage requirements relating to ACCAN’s e-commerce activities.  ACCAN endeavours to make all membership applications a paperless process for applicants. For any items posted by the applicant to ACCAN in relation to membership, the cost of postage is paid by the applicant.

Invoices

Invoices are automatically generated by our system and will be clearly identifiable as being issued by ACCAN. If you require any further information or copies of invoices please contact ACCAN via our Contact page.

Credit card details

All credit card payments made to ACCAN will be kept confidential by our e-commerce providers (Bendigo Bank and E-Way) in accordance to industry standards and regulations. If a credit card payment is made via mail or telephone, details will be kept confidential and held securely by ACCAN. ACCAN will endeavour to make any purchase appearing on your credit card statement identifiable as being made to ACCAN.

Prices

All prices quoted by ACCAN will be in Australian dollars and include GST. 

Contact details

ACCAN can be contacted on all e-commerce matters using the details available on our Contact page.

We strongly encourage prospective applicants to phone or email ACCAN's grants team to discuss your project idea. Remember, applications are assessed independently, so we are able to help you develop your idea and hone it appropriately for the ACCAN Program. We're also available for any other questions you might have about ACCAN Grants.

Phone: 02 9288 4000

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or via the National Relay Service

The Panel assesses applications to ACCAN's Independent Grants Program and recommends the strongest applications to the ACCAN Board for funding. The Panel meet to discuss proposals and hold separate reviews of grant applications as needed. 

Read more: Independent Grants Panel

ACCAN is committed to best serving telecommunications consumers by administering a high quality Grants Program that is responsive to consumer needs. We have a two-stage application process, with only  Streams depending on the type of work you are planning to do. 

• Choose your Stream
• Expression of Interest stage
• Expression of Interest form
• Full Application stage
• What should I put in the budget?
• Accessibility
• Top Tips
• Additional resources

First, choose your Stream

You can apply under one of two Streams:

1. Research Stream

Choose this Stream if your proposed project is predominantly research.

2. Education and Representation Stream

Choose this Stream if your proposed project is predominantly consumer education and/or representation.

The lead applicant MUST be from the community sector, or demonstrate strong and genuine community sector partnership.

Expression of Interest stage

Expressions of Interest are completed via a shortened application form and assessed according to the Guidelines by the Independent Grants Panel. 

Step 1 - Read the Guidelines and Strategic Plan.

Step 2 - Create a rough draft of your project idea.

Step 3 - Contact the grants team to review the idea and get advice on whether it is likely to be considered eligible:

Email: grants @ accan.org.au

Call: 02 9288 4000

Or contact us through the National Relay Service

Step 4 - Complete the Expression of Interest form on the SmartyGrants application portal. (You will need to register for a SmartyGrants account if you don't already have one.)

Step 5 - Submit your application online by the due date stated in the Guidelines. Late applications will not be accepted. Note that closing times are in Australian Eastern times.

Expression of Interest form

Download a sample copy of the EOI application form below. Use this to help prepare your application offline or with a team.

Do NOT submit this sample form. All applications MUST be submitted online via the SmartyGrants application portal.

The 2024 application form will be shared here when the round opens. It is expected to be similar to last year's:

Download: 2023 ACCAN Grants EOI Form - sample.docx88.81 KB

Full Application Stage

If your Expressions of Interest is successful, you will be invited to submit a Full Application, also via SmartyGrants. Use the same login details as you used at the EOI stage.

A Word version of the application form will be provided below. As with your EOI, you cannot submit this sample form. You must submit your application online via the SmartyGrants application portal.

Download: 2023 ACCAN Grants Full Application form.docx105.97 KB (2024 application form will be provided after the round opens)

We strongly encourage all Full Application stage applicants to consult the Guidelines and to contact the ACCAN Grants Team to discuss your application to ensure it is eligible and competitive. Please note that answers in the Full Application form do not have to match those given at the EOI stage - applicants are able to change their answers to strengthen their applications by adding further detail, clarifying any areas, or adjusting approach. The amount requested can also be adjusted, though any substantive change should be justified.

Supporting documents

If the Assessment Panel needs more information such as annual reports or other documents, they will request it. They do not need to be uploaded at the time you make the application.

What should I put in the budget?

You are required to submit a budget with your application. You must think of all the income components from every source. You must think of, and reasonably estimate, each cost (expense) necessary for your project.

Income and expenditure need to add up to the same amount: you can't spend more than the project receives, and you can't spend less either.

Income

The income table is a summary of all other sources of funding you will be using for this project (e.g. if your organisation is contributing cash or in-kind support). If you have another grant for this project, show that grant in the list. Each source should be listed separately. Make sure your Total Income is the same amount as Total Expenditure. These two figures need to equal each other.

Expenses

In the expenses table, list all costs directly associated with the project. You may need to buy or rent equipment, fund a research worker, pay for travel, printing, or even room hire. Think through all the things you will need to make your project a success. If you have included in-kind in the income, then make sure you include it as part of the total expenditure. Expenditure is the list of things that are expended as part of the project.

Only include travel that is absolutely necessary for your project, and this needs to be well justified. Simply presenting results at a conference is not sufficient justification as the activities must form an integral part of the project.

Will ACCAN fund overheads?

ACCAN won't fund overheads, such as administration levies, general office space and so on. We do not cover normal operating costs for an organisation to do its business either. Check the complete list of exclusions in the Guidelines. The grant program funds clearly defined projects and project activity towards specific outputs.

We do cover all costs that are directly attributable to the project itself, e.g. project labour, project management, project accounting, or even office space and room hire if it can be justified as directly attributable to the project.

It all depends on how clearly the cost is related to the project - If you were not doing this project would the cost still exist? If yes, then we will not cover it. Is it an arbitrary levy added by your organisation on top of the project? If yes, we won't cover it. We only cover costs for activities inside the project.

Do I include GST?

No. All amounts you put in the budget should exclude GST. If you are successful, GST will be paid in addition to the amount you apply for.

Accessibility

All resources produced under the Grants Program need to conform to basic accessibility principles. This means that:

• all documents, images and webpages are accessible to screen readers ie. You are using alt text on images and Heading Styles are consistent

• digital resources such as videos contain captions and audio description, or a transcript.

Ensure your application demonstrates your plan for this, or if some resources are intended to not be made accessible, your justification. ACCAN staff can provide guidance before you apply. 

If you are funded, ACCAN will meet with you early in your project to confirm your plans for accessibility. We have accessibly-formatted templates that we can share with you for writing reports, or if you will be using a graphic designer or web developer without experience in accessibility, we can highlight the key design features they’ll need to consider.

Download our basic instructions on how to make documents accessible:

Download: How to make documents accessible.docx4.02 MB

Top Tips

• Ensure your project fits: Is it really a telecommunications project? Does it satisfy one of the listed priorities? Read the Guidelines well, and contact us to discuss your project idea.
  
  
• Write in clear, simple English: avoid jargon and long-winded sentences. Say exactly what you're going to do.
  
  
• Be specific: Rather than "a large number of consumers will benefit" say "150 consumers in the Armidale community will access tailored digital literacy training programs."
  
  
• Balance your budget: Income needs to equal expenditure. Include all cash and in-kind contributions. Be realistic about what time and resources you will need. This shows you have thought things through.
  
  
• Demonstrate that you understand the context for your project  - what gap are you filling in terms of the research and other work that already exists? Check other published work, including ACCAN's research, and government bodies such as communications regulators.
  
  
• Clearly explain how your project differs from other related projects that exist. This is particularly important for projects involving cyber-safety and digital literacy training. This is because the Australian government and other not-for-profits are addressing these issues through various training programs. If you see a gap or a limitation to these resources, explain why and how your project is addressing a significant gap. Ensure you refer to the ACCAN resources already available. If you are developing new materials, how will they complement what's already 'out there'?
  
  
• Clearly explain the future your project will have after our funding ceases. Do you expect the work to continue in any way? What provisions have you included in your planning to ensure this can happen?
  
  
• Look through our previous grants projects to get a better understanding of what and who we fund.
  
  

Additional resources

• Tips for writing applications and avoiding common grant-writing mistakes: https://www.fundingcentre.com.au/help/writing-grant
  
• GrantEd guides to writing applications: https://thegrantedgroup.thinkific.com/
  
• How to harness your advocacy skills for best results: https://www.communitiesincontrol.com.au/cic/take-control/
  
• Other grants from the Commonwealth: www.communitygrants.gov.au
  
  

2024 Grants Round

The next round of the ACCAN Indpendent Grants Program will open: Tuesday 30th January, 2024.

If you are thinking of applying, we encourage you to contact us in advance. The Grants Team is available all year round* to provide feedback on your project idea and answer any questions you have. Please Contact Us.

*Note that the ACCAN office will close December 22nd 2023 and reopen Monday 8th January 2024.

When the round opens, we will publish updated Guidelines and Priority Themes, which are expected to be similar to previous years. Below you can find information about last year's Round for your reference:

• 2023 Round Guidelines
• 2023 Round Priority Themes
• 2023 Round Timeline
• Who can apply?
• What is eligible?
• What won't get funded?
• Contact us

2023 Round Guidelines (2024 Guidelines COMING SOON)

Consult the Guidelines for everything you need to know about how the ACCAN Grants Program works, including eligibility, how to apply, the timeline and what to expect. These guidelines contain the rules for the Program and the assessment approach.

Download:ACCAN Grants Program Guidelines 2023.docx4.69 MB

Download:ACCAN Grants Program Guidelines 2023.pdf1020.47 KB

2023 Round Priority Themes (2024 Priorities COMING SOON)

All applications MUST be framed in terms of a specific consumer problem aligned with ACCAN's strategic plan. 

If you are applying under the Research Stream, you MUST ALSO demonstrate alignment with one of the below Priority Themes. Priorities are formulated in consultation with ACCAN's stakeholders and change year to year.  

2023 Priority Themes: 

• Communications privacy and security e.g., cyber-security.
• Digital exclusion e.g., policy issues; practical responses; economic cost.
• Communications affordability e.g., Obstacles to device and service upgrades; mis-selling; sales tactics; financial hardship.
• Solutions to communications issues for remote consumers.
• Other topics which can demonstrate direct alignment with ACCAN’s strategic plan.

   

2023 Round Timeline (2024 Timeline COMING SOON)

Who can apply?

Eligible projects come from a range of applicants, such as individual researchers, community organisations, local councils and universities – all you need is an ABN and some great ideas. Check our website to see previous grant recipients. We strongly encourage partnerships, so if you're interested in a partnership with industry, a community organisation or university, get in touch with us as we may be able to make an introduction.

What is eligible?

Eligible projects address telecommunications consumer issues. A telecommunications consumer issue is one that is systemic, persistent and generally widespread, affecting consumers in their use of telecommunications and internet services. The issue could be something that affects the general public or it might be an issue affecting a particular part of the community such as children, older people, or people with disabilities, but preferably one where multiple sectors would benefit from a solution.

It could be a project that addresses consumer rip-offs or people getting into debt over their phone or internet usage. Or you may be studying the regulatory space for telecommunications services in Australia. These are just some examples. Whatever your project, it fills an identified gap and improves telecommunications goods, services or information for Australian consumers.

Make sure you have a look at ACCAN's strategic plan, our policy priorities and website before applying.

What won't get funded?

We often see applications which use apps, websites or other technologies to benefit Australian consumers in some other way eg. to improve their health, educate them about community services, or deliver arts or wellbeing programs to Australians in need. While these are all worthwhile projects, they do NOT fall within ACCAN's remit and would be deemed ineligible under the ACCAN Grants Program. Your project needs to demonstrate outcomes for telecommunications consumers.

Questions to ask yourself include:

1. How does my project improve the purchase or use of phone and internet services in Australia?
   
   
2. What are the outcomes for the telecommunications sector? Is my project directed at telcos, telecommunications regulators, government or consumers with regards to their telecommunications use?  - If so, then your project is likely within scope. If your aim is to improve other sectors, then your project is ineligible.

 ACCAN's scope generally does NOT include content, unless that content is related to telecommunications eg. phone plans, billing, privacy of telco contracts, consumer rights with regard to phone or internet services.

If you're unsure if your project fits our Program, or even if you're sure it does, talk to us. If you give us enough time, we may even be able to provide feedback on application drafts.

For the full list of eligibility criteria, see the Guidelines.

Will ACCAN fund overheads?

ACCAN won't fund overheads, such as administration levies, general office space and so on. We don’t cover normal operating costs for an organisation to do its business either. The grant program funds clearly defined projects and project activity towards specific outputs.

We do cover all costs that are directly attributable to the project itself, e.g. project labour, project management, project accounting, or even office space and room hire if it can be justified as directly attributable to the project.

It all depends on how clearly the cost is related to the project - If you weren’t doing this project would the cost still exist? If yes, then we won’t cover it. Is it an arbitrary levy added by your organisation on top of the project? If yes, we won't cover it. We only cover costs for activities inside the project.

Contact us

We strongly encourage prospective applicants to phone or email ACCAN's grants team to discuss your project idea. Remember, applications are assessed independently, so we are able to help you develop your idea and hone it appropriately for the ACCAN Program. We're also available for any other questions you might have about ACCAN Grants.

Email: grants @ accan.org.au
Phone: 02 9288 4000
Or contact us via the NRS. 

This is a resources page.

Contact Us

We encourage you to talk to us before applying for an ACCAN Grant. The Grants Team is available to help develop your project idea, ensure it's within scope, and with enough notice, we may be able to review a draft and help you make the most of your application.

The best way to reach us is via email - let us know a good time & number to phone you, or simply pop your questions & project ideas into the email. We will get back to you as soon as we can: 

Email: grants @ accan.org.au

Phone: 02 9288 4000 (ACCAN reception) or via the National Relay Service

Subscribe

To keep up to date with all things grants related and to better understand ACCAN's work, subscribe to the mailing lists below:

South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability

People with intellectual disability are at greater risk to the dangers of the online environment. However, there is limited educational information presented in formats accessible to people with intellectual disability. This project will build on an existing co-designed introductory online safety workshop to develop a series of accessible training resources focused on online safety. A co-design approach will be used to develop, test and refine the products, and gather information about communications related barriers to inform future advocacy. 

Visit SACID's website.

Read more: In progress! Co-designing accessible online safety resources for people with intellectual disability

Deaf Australia

Since publication of the ‘What Standards?’ Auslan translation guidelines in 2015, the NDIS and pandemic have significantly reshaped Auslan user needs. This project will evaluate and update these guidelines by reviewing current usage and compliance across Australia, improving guidelines for Deafblind consumers, and incorporating emerging Auslan-first products, often viewed as a better alternative to translations. Ultimately, the findings will provide Auslan translation guidelines for current and foreseeable requirements, deeper consideration of Deafblind needs, and an understanding of when Auslan-first products should be produced instead of Auslan translations.

Read more: In progress! Fortifying “What standards? The need for evidence-based Auslan translation standards...