Key Dates
2024 round now closed.
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UTS School of Communication
Grant round: 2017-18
Amount: $55,302
With parts of the nation remaining in lockdown due to the spread of COVID-19, many people have turned to streaming services to keep entertained with a new TV series or movie, or tuned in to see Australia compete for gold in the Olympics. With more time spent streaming, the ever-so-painful experiences of long buffering times, low resolution displays, or unexpectedly high data usage are becoming more and more common. The good news is that there are several steps that consumers can take when using streaming services to ensure the best possible experience.
Read more: Troubleshooting streaming issues
Write comment (0 Comments)The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed measures to improve connectivity for people living in regional Australia in the 2022-23 Federal Budget, however stressed the need for urgent government action on broadband affordability.
The Coalition Government has announced $811.8 million in funding for the Connecting Regional Australia Initiative to expand mobile coverage and improve connectivity, resilience and affordability in regional, rural and peri-urban Australia.
While the essentiality of communications services has been demonstrated by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, the affordability of communications services continues to be an issue, especially for Australians on lower incomes.
Disclaimer:
This list is to be used for guidance only, and inclusion on it is not an endorsement or recommendation. This website is not intended to be a substitute for independent advice.
This list is intended to be a work in progress and ACCAN encourages feedback from the broader community on recommended improvements to the site and its contents. If you find some of this information incomplete or out of date please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) in response to NBN Co’s latest proposed Special Access Undertaking (SAU) in August 2023.
ACCAN expresses our qualified support for the latest SAU variation, noting:
Read more: ACCC Consultation for the NBN Special Access Undertaking: August Variation
Download: The Numbers Game - Winter 2011 [Adobe Acrobat PDF - 2.06 MB]
Download: The Numbers Game - Winter 2011 [Word Document - 78 KB]
The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA) conducted research on the effectiveness of various digital literacy training methodologies that were being used by ASCCA's member clubs around Australia.
Further information on the project and the final report is available on the ACCAN Grants Scheme webpage.
The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 March to 31 May 2015.
QUT School of Justice, Faculty of Law
Grant round: 2017-18
Amount: $53,247
Download: 
Universal Service Obligation (USO) tip sheet23.95 KB
Download: 
Universal Service Obligation (USO) tip sheet2.63 MB
What is the telco Universal Service Obligation (USO)?
It means that you have the right to a standard fixed landline phone service provided by Telstra, regardless of where you live or work.
Read more: Universal Service Obligation (USO)
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Exploring the handling of complaints against digital platforms, examining the performance of telco customer service chatbots, and assessing the surveillance risks of Family Plans for victims of domestic and family violence will be the focus of some of the important projects receiving funding through the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)’s 2021 Grants program.
The ACCAN Grants Program funds projects which undertake research on telecommunications issues, represent consumers or create educational tools which empower consumers to derive the greatest benefit from telecommunications products and services.
Read more: ACCAN 2021 Grant Program Projects Announced
Write comment (0 Comments)The board of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) today announced that Andrew Williams has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer for the organisation.
“Following an executive search process, the board has determined that Acting CEO Andrew Williams is the best person to lead ACCAN forward as CEO,” said ACCAN Chair Deirdre O’Donnell.
Mr Williams took on the role of Acting CEO in October 2021 and has successfully led the ACCAN team over the past five months.
“The board is very pleased to confirm that Andrew is now our permanent CEO,” added Ms O’Donnell.
Disclaimer:
This list is to be used for guidance only, and inclusion on it is not an endorsement or recommendation. This website is not intended to be a substitute for independent advice.
This list is intended to be a work in progress and ACCAN encourages feedback from the broader community on recommended improvements to the site and its contents. If you find some of this information incomplete or out of date please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
ACCAN recently submitted to the ACCC 2023 Strategic Review – Compliance and Enforcement Priorities 2023-24. ACCAN supports the ACCC maintaining the following priorities into 2024-2025:
Read more: ACCC 2023 Strategic Review – Compliance and Enforcement Priorities 2023-24
In November 2012 the Telstra Telephone Exchange at Warrnambool, south west Victoria, caught on fire and disrupted the telecommunications services of an entire region. This research, conducted by RMIT University and funded under the ACCAN Grants Scheme, examined the social and financial impact of this outage on the residents and small businesses of the region.
The research report, as well as a series of 'survival plans' for businesses, government and individuals, can be found on the Grants Scheme webpage.
Summary of ACCAN's activities from 1 December 2014 to 28 February 2015.
Hutt St Centre
Grant round: 2017-18
Amount: $5,000
The No Australian Left Offline - National Webinar was held 9 December and provided a report back on the key issues from the 6 State and Territory based virtual roundtables that have taken place during 2020.
These roundtables have provided a unique opportunity for those involved to share and discuss some of the barriers that are impacting communities when it comes to getting connected and using the internet.
ACCAN and nbn Co. plan to continue this collaborative approach into 2021, working towards more affordable, reliable broadband services for all Australians.
Read more: No Australian Left Offline - National Webinar
Write comment (0 Comments)The release of the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review holds promise for better connectivity for regional, rural and remote Australians, according to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).
The Regional Telecommunications Review is a tri-annual process which plays an important role in assessing the issues impacting regional, rural and remote consumers of telecommunications services. The 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review, chaired by Luke Hartsuyker, has outlined more than a dozen key findings relating to issues such as digital connectivity, reliability of regional communications services, and digital inclusion.
Read more: ACCAN Welcomes 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review Findings
Mobile devices - Victoria
| Supplier (click below) | Is the supplier website screen reader friendly? | Key Words e.g. If the device is new or refurbished, available to buy direct from the supplier or from a third-party marketplace. |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Yes | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| Australian Computer Traders | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Belong | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Boost Mobile | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Cash Converters | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Catch.com.au | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Certified Tech Direct | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Device Trader | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Dick Smith | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| eBay | Yes | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| Essentially Mobile | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| grays.com | Yes | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| Green Gadgets | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Hulii | Yes | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| In the Click | Some Issues | Social Enterprise, Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Jessups IT & Computers | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| jw.com.au | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| King IT | Some Issues | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Kogan | Some Issues | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Luv Your Phone | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| MD Computers Sunshine Coast | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Mobile Barn | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Mobile Federation | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Mobile Guru | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Nexlife | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| OzMobiles | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Phone Cycle | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Phonebot | Some Issues | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| PTC | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Rebold | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Reboot I.T | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Recompute | Some Issues | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Reebelo | Yes | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| ReloopIT | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Sky Phonez | Some Issues | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| Stock Must Go | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Tech Recovery | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
| Technology Locker | Some Issues | Refurbished, Direct Supplier, Third-party Marketplace |
| Trade Electronics | Yes | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| Wise Market | Yes | Refurbished, Third-party Marketplace |
| Mobile Barn | Yes | Refurbished, Direct Supplier |
ACCAN recently provided comments on Communications Alliance’s Draft G651:2023 Customer Authorisation Industry Guideline (the Draft Guideline). ACCAN welcomes the efforts of Communications Alliance to incorporate previous ACCAN feedback into the Draft Guideline. ACCAN’s submission also identifies gaps in the Draft Guideline that limit equitable access to a Customer Authorisation for Customers with disability.
Read more: Draft G651:2023 Customer Authorisation Industry Guideline