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
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Australia’s peak communications consumer advocacy group, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has today announced 7 projects that it will fund through the 2023 Round of its Independent Grants Program.
The ACCAN Independent Grants Program funds consumer-focused projects to undertake research, represent consumers, and create educational tools which empower consumers to make decisions in their own interests.
The operation of ACCAN’s Independent Grant Program is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
Read more: ACCAN awards seven new communications consumer grants
ACCAN recently submitted to the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society’s inquiry on the influence and impacts of social media on Australian society.
Social media, digital communications services and telecommunications have converged and become ubiquitous in Australian society. Communications policy needs to urgently adapt to the integral role that social media and digital communications services now play, including imposing similar responsibilities and regulatory settings on these digital communications companies as those imposed on the existing telecommunications sector.
Read more: Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society
New research commissioned by ACCAN that has found only 7% of people who are dissatisfied with their way their provider has handled a problem or complaint take it to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).
Read more: Research reveals telco complaints are underreported
Women's Legal Services NSW
Project title: Technology-facilitated stalking and abuse
Grant round: 2014
Grant: $54,123.40
At ACCAN, issues relating to accessibility have always been at the forefront of our policy and consumer education efforts. After celebrating our 10th birthday and reflecting upon the positive changes that we had successfully advocated for, we started contemplating what accessibility improvements ACCAN would like to see in the communications sector in 2020 and beyond. We considered the existing communications issues affecting people with disability and wondered what issues may arise in the future.
From this, ACCAN started developing an Ideal Accessible Communications Roadmap in consultation with the disability sector. Towards the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, we sought feedback from a range of organisations supporting people with disability. We asked about the top three communications issues that were currently affecting people with disability, the top three communications issues that contributors thought would affect people with disability in the future, and suggestions for possible solutions to address these existing and anticipated communications issues. Through email conversations, phone calls and group brainstorming sessions, we received responses from 35 organisations, including Disabled Peoples Organisations, advocacy groups and disability service providers, as well as nine individuals with disability who offered their own personal insights of their lived experience.
Read more: The future is accessible
Write comment (0 Comments)ACCAN welcomes the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) report Financial hardship in the telco sector released today. The ACMA's findings align with ACCAN research conducted earlier this year which shows that cost of living pressures are having a significant impact, with some consumers continuing to struggle to pay their telco bills.
“Cost of living issues aren’t going away for the foreseeable future, so it’s particularly concerning that over 40% of the Australian adult population are unaware that they can contact their telco provider for help managing their bills. This research shows that it is imperative that financial hardship policies are promoted by telcos and made easily accessible on their websites,” said ACCAN CEO, Andrew Williams.
ACCAN recently submitted to the inquiry into the shutdown of the 3G mobile network and telecommunications services accessibility.
Social media allows anyone with an internet connection to connect with other people and participate online, but for people with a hearing, sight or mobility impairment, social media websites and applications are not always easy to use. New research by Media Access Australia examines the accessibility of the most popular social media tools and shares practical advice from users on how to overcome inaccessible features.
Read more: Sociability: social media for people with a disability - Research
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media
Project title: Yarning and Learning: Communication use and issues in remote Indigenous communities
Grant round: 2014
Grant: $42,100
ACCAN wants to hear about your experience with your ADSL internet service.
ADSL stands for ‘asymmetric digital subscriber line’. ADSL is a broadband internet connection delivered through the same copper wiring that your home phone may use. The ACCC are soon to begin an inquiry into whether Telstra should continue to provide access to wholesale ADSL services on request. The outcome of the ACCC inquiry could impact price and retail choice of ADSL services for regional, rural and remote consumers.
Read more: Do you use an ADSL broadband connection?
Write comment (3 Comments)At its March meeting the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network’s (ACCAN) Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the organisation’s support of the Voice to Parliament.
A Voice to Parliament aligns with ACCAN’s vision of communications services that are trusted, inclusive, accessible, and available for all.
Funding of universal telecommunications services (RBS Review)
ACCAN recently commented on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ consultation on the Funding of universal telecommunications services (RBS Review). The funding of the universal service obligation (USO) is integral to ensuring the efficacy and longevity of Australia’s communications services, especially for those who are living in regional, rural and remote areas, have specific accessibility needs, or are living on a low income.
Read more: Funding of universal telecommunications services (RBS Review)
The Mind the Gap report, authored by Dr. Linda Leung from the University of Technology Sydney, explores the experiences of refugees as communications consumers in Australia, and describes a trial education program aimed at developing higher level communications literacies during the settlement process.
Read more: Mind The Gap: Refugees and communications technology literacy
As the peak body for rural and remote health in Australia, the National Rural Health Alliance has been a vocal supporter of telehealth and the many benefits that it can bring, especially for those outside of metropolitan areas.
In the wake of COVID-19, we spoke to Dr Gabrielle O’Kane, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance to hear about how people in regional, rural and remote Australia were adapting to telehealth and what the future may hold for this technology-driven approach to healthcare.
Read more: Interview with Dr Gabrielle O’Kane, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance
Write comment (0 Comments)With the cost-of-living front of mind for most Australians, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is urging the federal government to develop an easy to use, independent and free comparison tool to help consumers navigate the often-complicated telecommunications market.
Currently, it is difficult for consumers to find information about different products, services, and plans available to them. The establishment of an Independent Plan Comparison Tool (IPCT) will provide consumers with key product and price information for telecommunications services, allowing them to select a service offering that best meets their needs.
Read more: A Telco comparison tool is a must for time poor Australians
ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)’s consultation paper on Expiring spectrum licences (stage 2) – information gathering, and views on uses of frequency bands and alternative licence conditions (the Consultation Paper).
ACCAN supports the ACMA’s finalised expiring spectrum licence (ESL) stage 2 information gathering framework and its public interest criteria (PIC) as outlined in the Consultation Paper.
ACCAN recommends that the ACMA:
The Another Barrier? report provides a snapshot of the challenges faced by not-for-profit organisations and the people they support in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. As Australia moves into the era of the digital economy and the National Broadband Network (NBN), not-for profits are increasingly finding themselves as brokers of phone and internet access for their clients who continue to struggle with the basics of availability, affordability, and accessibility of ICT.
Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE
Grant round: 2013
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the ACCAN will be held via virtual meeting, on Thursday 24th September 2020 from 4.00pm.
ACCAN AGM
Date: Thursday 24th September 2020
Time: 4:00pm (AEST)
Venue: Virtual Meeting via Zoom – Please register from here by 22nd September 2020.
Read more: Notice of ACCAN Annual General Meeting
Write comment (0 Comments)Recent research conducted by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has found that direct debit is a problem for some consumers, particularly for those who are living week to week.
A thriving and competitive communications market is characterised by a variety of free payment options that reflect consumer preferences for payment. However, some payment options may place unfair financial risk on consumers.
ACCAN recently submitted to the inquiry into regional telecommunications in Western Australia, focusing on mobile telecommunications failure during widespread power outages.
Fair Go: Complaint Resolution for Digital Australia offers insights into challenges faced at a time of rapid changes to the digital environment. The Occasional Paper, written by John T.D. Wood, was commissioned by ACCAN in order to broaden and stimulate debate regarding external complaints resolution schemes.
Read more: Fair Go: Complaint Resolution for Digital Australia