Key Dates
2024 round now closed.
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The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 March – 31 May 2021.
The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 December 2020 – 28 February 2021.
The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 September – 30 November 2020.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Every year workplaces, schools, early learning services, community groups, reconciliation groups, and people right across the country host a whole range of activities. ACCAN employees, who for the most part work remotely, were encouraged to visit or research a site of significance in their local area and report their discoveries.
You can download some of the ACCAN employee reports below:
Arcadia, Magnetic Island - Wayne H13.01 KB
Berry Island Reserve - Yuriko H2.43 MB
Cooks River Strathfield - Elise A4.55 MB
Dharawal National Park - Kate E15.09 KB
Ellesmere Camp - Laetitia K1.3 MB
Grotto Point Engravings - James OB477.4 KB
Jibbon Aboriginal Rock Engravings - Kelly L351.41 KB
Kurrajong of Dharug - Tanya K1.8 MB
Lake Bummiera - Amelia R62.14 KB
Rock Shelter at Undercliffe Earlwood - Elie A55.5 KB
Terrey Hills petroglyphs - Andrew W534.6 KB
Ticehurst Park - Richard V1.24 MB
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 purpose of the Members Advisory Forum (MAF) is to discuss the most important issues from the perspective of ACCAN's members and the people they represent, with a view to incorporating these into ACCAN's work priorities.
The purpose of the Disability Advisory Forum (DAF) is to discuss the most important telecommunications consumer issues from the perspective of key representative in the disability sector, with a view to incorporating these into ACCAN's work priorities.
The function of the Disability Advisory Forum is to:
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: 
ACCAN Strategic Plan 2021-2024 1.35 MB
For general enquiries email:
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For membership enquiries email:
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For executive meeting requests please email:
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For grants scheme enquiries email:
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The purpose of the Indigenous Steering Committee (ISC) is to discuss the most important telecommunications consumer issues from the perspective of key representative in the Indigenous consumer/community's environment and the people they represent, with a view to incorporating these into ACCAN's work priorities.
Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
PO Box A1158
Sydney South, NSW 1235
2022-23 Annual Report
It 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.
The purpose of the Small Business Advisory Forum (SBAF) is to discuss the most important telecommunications consumer issues from the perspective of key representative in the small business environment and the people they represent, with a view to incorporating these into ACCAN's work priorities.
Executive
Gareth Downing, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Gareth oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s policy work, community engagement and membership. His career has focused on policy and regulation and he has worked on policy across a number of regulated sectors including telecommunications, energy and water. Gareth is committed to advancing consumer’s interest through his leadership of ACCAN’s policy team.
Gareth has previously sat on the ACCAN board, and prior to that worked for ACCAN in the role of Senior Policy Analyst providing advice on a wide range of policy, economic regulation and pricing matters. Gareth holds tertiary qualifications in policy, economics and law.
Tanya Karliychuk, Director of Operations
Tanya oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s federally-funded Grants Scheme, commissioned research program, and consumer education program. She provides leadership ensuring ACCAN adheres to its values and advances its strategic direction. With extensive experience in research management within the Australian university and NFP sectors, combined with a background in international development, Tanya is especially focused on maximising the outcomes achieved from community-sector collaborations.
Tanya has driven the writing, winning and delivery of large government grants in the international development sector, as well as smaller community sector grants for various volunteer projects. She is currently Co-Convenor of the NSW Chapter of the Australasian Research Management Society. Tanya holds a Master of International Affairs from ANU and a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) from Macquarie University.
Media and Policy Staff
Alec Bennetts
Alec Bennetts is ACCAN's Media and Communications Officer. He oversees external ACCAN communications, including media releases, newsletters, website content, social media, and member communications, and ensures ACCAN is well-represented in national and local media. Alec has previously worked in policy research and political communications. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney.
Con Gouskos
Con Gouskos leads ACCAN’s work on telecommunications consumer protections. Con regularly engages with financial counsellors and community legal centres concerning telecommunications consumer protections. Con holds a degree in International Studies from the University of New South Wales and a Certificate IV in Government from TAFE. He is currently working towards a Master of Administrative Law and Policy at the University of Sydney.
Sam Kininmonth
Sam Kininmonth leads the ACCAN policy team’s research work and engagement with the research sector. An experienced consumer advocate, Sam previously worked as a sessional academic. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Swinburne University of Technology and a Bachelor of Communication (Distinction) from RMIT University. Sam is completing a PhD on digital media and automation in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society at RMIT University.
Kelly Lindsay
Kelly leads the ACCAN policy team’s consumer engagement and outreach. She is responsible for building and managing relationships with a diverse range of consumer stakeholders and members. An experienced advocate at ACCAN, Kelly previously worked for the Queensland Government in areas of project coordination and stakeholder management in the built asset environment.
Dr Amelia Radke
Dr Amelia Radke leads ACCAN's work on digital inclusion, with a particular focus on issues relating to the affordability and accessibility of services for First Nations Australians, regional, rural, and remote Australia, and vulnerable consumers. She has extensive experience in policy and research both in academic and non-government settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in anthropology and a PhD in legal anthropology from the University of Queensland.
Audrey Reoch
Audrey Reoch leads ACCAN’s work on infrastructure and economics policy. Audrey previously worked at the Department of Infrastructure and later Communications, where she represented Australia in the Universal Postal Union and International Telecommunication Union to advocate for international standards in the interests of Australian consumers. She holds an MA in Social and Political Thought from the University of Sussex and an Honours Degree in Political Economy from the University of Sydney.
David Swayn
David leads ACCAN’s policy work for people with a disability. David has substantial experience working in disability advocacy and accessibility-based roles with responsibilities including systemic advocacy, project leadership, and regional and national engagement. David holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Business and is a committee member of the Australian Web Accessibility Initiative (OzeWAI). David has lived experience of disability.
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.
If you are Deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, please contact us on 02 9288 4000 through your preferred National Relay Service call number or access point. For more information about the National Relay Service visit the National Relay Service website.
If you want to call us and need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone ACCAN on 02 9288 4000.
The summary below outlines ACCAN’s activities from 1 September – 30 November 2022.
The summary below outlines ACCAN’s activities from 1 June 2022 – 31 August 2022.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network’s (ACCAN) Board of Directors has unanimously endorsed the organisation’s support of the Voice to Parliament. A Voice to Parliament aligns with ACCAN’s organisational vision of Communications services that are trusted, inclusive, accessible, and available for all. A Voice to Parliament also aligns strongly with ACCAN’s Reconciliation Action Plan vision of a united Australia that acknowledges its past and values the unique culture and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Board and staff of ACCAN support a successful Referendum that will enshrine a First Peoples Voice to Parliament in our Constitution. A Voice that can provide independent advice to Parliament and Government enables true self-determination by ensuring the diverse First Nations perspectives and aspirations are authentically embedded in decisions affecting their lives. A Voice will also provide new opportunities for community consultation to improve communications, particularly in regional and remote Australia.