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Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Broadband for Seniors - Questions and Answers

Broadband for Seniors is part of the wider Australian Government initiative 'Making Ends Meet - Plan for Older Australians, People with Disabilities and Carers'.

Under Broadband for Seniors the Australian Government intends to engage a single service delivery organisation to deliver the program nationally by establishing around 2,000 internet kiosks for seniors in community organisations across Australia.

In the event no suitable organisation can deliver the program nationally, more than one service delivery organisation may be engaged.

Who this application process is for

This application process will engage suitably qualified organisations, preferably one, to deliver the Broadband for Seniors program nationally.

Individual community organisations interested in providing an internet kiosk are not required to express interest in this application process.

This program is not for individuals or personal/home computer users. For information regarding Government assistance for income support customers who have a home internet service, please refer to the Centrelink website or call 13 2300.

1. Information for Applicants (Service Delivery Organisations)

1. 1 Who is eligible for funding under Broadband for Seniors?
To be eligible to deliver Broadband for Seniors nationally, the organisation must be one of the following:
Eligibility does not mean that you will be approved for funding. Your application also needs to be assessed against the selection criteria.

1.2 What is expected of the service delivery organisation's selection strategy?
Broadband for Seniors aims to increase the confidence and skills of older Australians in using computers and the internet, helping to build their community participation and social inclusion.

It is recognised that many senior Australians:
Applicants will be required to describe their proposed strategy for identifying and selecting locations for proposed internet kiosks on the basis of 'demonstrated need', using the provided list of prioritised postal areas.

Further, given the very significant role of local community organisations in hosting internet kiosks, proposed strategies will be expected to include a process for identifying and selecting appropriate community organisations.

Please refer to Broadband for Seniors Application Guidelines for further information.

1.3 What is expected of the service delivery organisation's service delivery strategy?
Broadband for Seniors recognises that, in addition to the careful selection of internet kiosk sites and organisations to provide them, the provision of a reliable broadband internet service and related training appropriate for senior Australians will require comprehensive preparation and ongoing attention.

It is expected that service delivery strategies will have as their guiding considerations the following:
a) Provision of computer equipment in suitable, accessible locations across Australia
b) Reliable internet service provision and ongoing, timely service support
c) Ongoing communication with local seniors community organisations and the broader seniors community
d) Regular internet training and/or workshops tailored to the learning needs of senior Australians.

As a minimum, proposed service delivery strategies will be expected to address all the above considerations. Strategies will also be expected to reflect the service delivery organisation's experience and understanding of issues involved in providing information technology services and training support to the community, particularly seniors.

Please refer to the Broadband for Seniors Application Guidelines for further information.

1.4 What internet training should be provided?
Delivering regular internet training and/or workshops tailored to the learning needs of older Australians will form part of the responsibilities of the successful service delivery organisation.

Details of the service delivery organisation's proposed strategy for delivering internet training will form part of the department's assessment of applications, as outlined in the Broadband for Seniors Application Guidelines.

The Department is currently not able to provide any further information in regards to the internet training that should be provided.

1.5 What is a Seniors Internet Kiosk?
Selected seniors organisations such as senior citizen centres or other local community organisations catering to seniors, will be engaged by the service delivery organisation to provide (an) internet kiosk(s). These kiosks will be equipped with desktop computers, broadband internet service for three years and are to provide internet training for seniors.

Access to computers, the internet and related training provided through internet kiosks will be free to seniors.

The kiosks are intended for the benefit and primary use of seniors. However, where the access by seniors is assisted or not impeded, other members of the public may also access the facilities.

1.6 When will the Seniors Internet Kiosks be opening?
The Australian Government is committing $5 million each year over the next three years, 2008-09 to 2010-11 for Broadband for Seniors.

Details of the service delivery organisation's proposed selection and service delivery strategy will form part of the department's assessment of applications, as outlined in the Broadband for Seniors Application Guidelines. The service delivery organisation will be expected to open the first seniors internet kiosks as soon as possible once funding has commenced and in accordance with their overall service delivery strategy.

The department is currently not able to provide any further information in regards to the opening dates for seniors internet kiosks. It will be the responsibility of the service delivery organisation to ensure an effective communication strategy is implemented that will reach seniors in local communities across Australia. Advice regarding the availability of the kiosks should be included as part of that communication strategy.

2. Applications closing date

2.1 When do applications close?
Applications for Broadband for Seniors closed on Friday 8 August 2008.

2.2 What happens if my application is late?
The department is not obliged to accept late applications for Broadband for Seniors. However, the department may consider a late application in exceptional circumstances beyond an applicant's control. Applicants will need to provide evidence in writing. Any decision by the department to accept or not accept an application will be final.

2.3 What if I am using Express Post or a Courier?
All applications must be posted by the closing date of Friday 8 August 2008.
If you are submitting an application by Express Post you should ensure that Australia Post puts a postmark or official date stamp on the envelope.
Any decision by the department to accept or not accept an application will be final.

2.4 Can I provide additional attachments or information in support of my application?
We ask that you do not send any information attached to your application form that is not specifically requested as it will not be considered in the assessment process. References from any level of Government will not be considered in the assessment process.

2.5 What if I have questions about lodging the application form?
If you have any questions about the submission of your application form, please email broadbandforseniors@fahcsia.gov.au or contact the Broadband for Seniors toll free hotline 1800 625 136 between 9am and 5pm AEST Monday to Friday.

3. Information for community organisations interested in providing a seniors internet kiosk

Engaging local community organisations will form part of the responsibilities of the successful service delivery organisation.

Community organisations that provide services to older Australians and are a legal entity will be eligible to deliver a seniors internet kiosk.

Entities not eligible to deliver a seniors internet kiosk are:
Details of the service delivery organisation's proposed strategy for identifying appropriate community organisations with the capacity to provide a seniors internet kiosk, will form part of the department's assessment of applications, as outlined in the Broadband for Seniors Application Guidelines.

It will be a requirement of the successful service delivery organisation to provide clear advice to community organisations regarding their intended selection process and to ensure channels are available for community organisations to seek information or clarification regarding the process.

The department is currently not able to provide any further information in regards to the selection of local community organisations. The department may provide further details where possible as part of the announcement of the successful service delivery organisation(s).

4. Responses to queries made during the application period

4.1 Who is responsible for the provision of furniture in the seniors internet kiosks?
As per the Application Guidelines (page 6), it is the responsibility of the national service delivery organisation to ensure infrastructure is sufficient to accommodate the kiosks prior to installation. This would include the provision of furniture to enable the kiosks to operate. In compiling a response through the application process, a service delivery organisation will need to factor in any potential costs within their budget.

4.2 Are statutory authorities eligible to apply?
Statutory authorities are eligible to deliver the program nationally.