Key Dates

Next Grant Round:
Applications for funding will open early 2025. 
> Information about our Grants Program

Independent Grants Panel:
Results of the recent EOI will be notified Dec 2024.
> Information about our Panel  

We can help:  grants@accan.org.au
or phone 02 9288 4000

Grants Information

Round Guidelines

Round Priorities

How to apply

Who can apply?

What is eligible?

How Grants are assessed

ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Social Services consultation on the Draft List of NDIS Support. 

ACCAN notes that the current draft list of NDIS support would block the purchase of devices with important accessibility features required for some NDIS participants to communicate.

Phones and Internet: Your Rights in Australia is a project by the Footscray Community Legal Centre (FCLC) that provides education materials designed for refugees and new migrants to help understand the telecommunications market in their first six months of residing in Australia. The project was funded under the 2011 round of the ACCAN Grants Scheme. 


illustration of woman looking at phone with several speech bubbles depicting emotions and struggles

University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre

Grant round: 2016

Amount: $59,842.30

ACCAN logo

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the ACCAN will be held via virtual meeting, on Thursday 16th September 2021 from 4.00pm.

ACCAN AGM

Date: Thursday 16th September 2021.

Time: 4:00pm (AEST)

Venue: Virtual Meeting via Zoom – Please register from here by 14th September 2021

Write comment (0 Comments)

Better public information on regulator enforcement is required, according to a new report published by the Centre for Media Transition.

The Centre, an interdisciplinary research unit within the University of Technology Sydney, published The Enforcement of Telecommunications Consumer Protections report, detailing the enforcement actions undertaken by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) from January 2010 to June 2023 to ensure compliance with consumer protections.

ACCAN recently submitted to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)’s consultation on its proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference (ToR) 2024.

Our submission supported:

New research by Market Clarity has found nearly 29% of small businesses owners are suffering the same customer service and complaint-handling problems experienced by general consumers, even though the vast majority are paying for business-grade services.

Image of young woman showing a face of concern while talking on phone Financial and Consumer Rights Council Inc. (FCRC)

Grant round: 2016

Amount: $60,000

Someone is scrolling through photos on an Apple iPhone, placed on a table next to a cup of coffee

The rapid evolution of technology has meant that mobile phones aren’t just used to make calls anymore. The addition of features like cameras, digital wallets and high-resolution screen displays means that we can use our devices for so much more than just calling and texting.

It’s always exciting when we get to see what new features are being incorporated into the latest mobile devices. However, you don’t necessarily need to buy a new mobile phone every time a new product is released.

Write comment (0 Comments)

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is glad to announce the launch of the Affordable Devices service, an extensive database of retailers and organisations which help consumers access free or low-cost mobile phones, laptops, tablets and desktops.

Affordable Devices is a result of research commissioned by ACCAN. It lists sources of low-cost devices, filtered by the State or Territory in which they are based, and provides detail as to whether the listed website is screen reader-friendly.

ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) issues paper for the Digital Platform Services Inquiry – March 2025 – Final report.

This collaborative report, prepared by Blind Citizens Australia, Vision Australia, ACCAN and Media Access Australia, aims to highlight the consumer experience of the audio description (AD) technical trial on ABC TV to help inform Government’s thinking regarding the introduction of a permanent AD service.

Women in class with instructor

The Association of Hazaras in Victoria

In partnership with the Victorian Afghan Associations Network

Grant round: 2016

Amount: $7,500

ACCAN is seeking nominations for Directors to fill three (3) vacancies on its Board.

In accordance with the ACCAN Constitution, the 2021-2022 ACCAN Board will consist of nine (9) members1. Six (6) positions are continuing Directors from the 2020-2021 Board. Three (3) Directors are retiring from the Board but may be eligible for re-election as stated in the ACCAN Constitution.

In accordance with the ACCAN Constitution Board members are elected for a three year term.

In order to ensure an appropriate balance, the Board is particularly seeking candidates with legal and regulatory expertise; and/or experience in financial management and governance in a not for profit organisation; and/or from an Indigenous background or with strong linkages to Indigenous communities.

Write comment (0 Comments)

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes the establishment of an industry working group by the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, to ensure the planned switchover from 3G to 4G happens in a safe way.

The working group will include representatives from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone/TPG and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, with the Department of Infrastructure. Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts participating with an observer status.

ACCAN recently submitted to the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee’s consultation on the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review. 

Since the last Regional Telecommunications Review, regional, rural, and remote (RRR) communities’ experiences of natural disasters and the cost-of-living crisis have highlighted the importance of affordable, reliable, and resilient communications services.

Only one household out of 30 in the Kwale Kwale, Mungalawuru, and Imangara communities in Central Australia is connected to the internet.  

The Home Internet for Remote Indigenous Communities provides a baseline study of communication use in these three remote communities. It includes an overview of existing policies, demonstrating the significance of the intersection between communications and social policy for indigenous consumers living in remote communities.

Department of Media and Communications, the University of Melbourne

Grant round: 2015

Grant: $49,267

Image shows three children using various devices, including an iPad and a smart phone

 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.

Write comment (0 Comments)

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes the new Telecommunications (Financial Hardship) Industry Standard, developed by the ACMA at the direction of the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.

ACCAN CEO Andrew Williams said that the new financial hardship standard is a critical improvement in consumer protections for telecommunications consumers.

ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Telecommunications (Infringement Notices) Guidelines 2024 Consultation Paper.

ACCAN’s submission recommended expanding the instances in which an authorised infringement notice officer may consider other forms of enforcement action appropriate in respect of an alleged contravention.

This research report takes a close look at pre-paid calling cards, a product which many consumers rely on - particularly people from non-English speaking backgrounds. Our research findings show that consumers looking to buy a pre-paid calling card are participating in what is essentially a lottery. With little useful information available about each card at the point-of-sale consumers run the very-real risk of purchasing a card that offers poor value for money.

Curtin University

Grant round: 2015

Grant: $26,200

Grants Program Banner: Woman researching at a University

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.

Write comment (0 Comments)

About us

ACCAN in Action