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Free internet access is available to students who don’t have reliable internet at home. Families of eligible students should follow the steps on this page to request internet access.
Reliable internet access supports online study at home, for the purpose of extended learning. It also allows teachers to design more learning experiences that use digital technology.
Student Home Internet Program (SHIP)
Families without reliable home internet can request free wireless internet from the department through Student Home Internet Program.
Students must only use the internet access for learning and study at home.
Find translated flyers and the request form and user agreement for the Student Home Internet Program (on this page) in 7 languages.
Who can get it
All SA government school students who don’t have adequate home internet access.
You don’t need a fixed line connection.
What you’ll get from the department
ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï will supply you with:
- a dongle (small USB device), if you need one
- a mobile internet SIM card
- home internet access until the end of the school year.
You won’t need a dongle if your child will be using a laptop or tablet with a SIM card slot.
At the end of the school year the internet access will be deactivated. You can apply again for the following year if you still need the service.
How to apply for the Student Home Internet Program
You can submit an application for the Student Home Internet Program at any time during the school year.
To request home internet access:
- complete the Student Home Internet Program (SHIP) request form and user agreement (PDF 737 KB) – find translated SHIP forms (on this page) below
- submit the form to your school via email, fax or in person.
You only need to submit 1 request form for your household. The internet access can support multiple students.
Your school will then request the internet service from the department. We’ll set up your access and send the devices to your school. Your school will let you know when you can pick them up (usually early term 1).
If you apply during the school year, allow 2 to 3 weeks for this process.
Setting up your student home internet
The student home internet user guide (PDF 435 KB) steps you through how to set up your home internet.
Contact your school if you need additional support.
Your home internet connection will be deactivated at the end of the school year. You can keep the internet devices if you’ll be requesting access again the following year.
Cancelling your student home internet
If you no longer need the home internet access, you need to:
- let your school know
- return the internet devices to your school.
This could be because:
- your child is leaving the school
- you’re getting your own stable internet service
- you’re accepting the free NBN offer under the School Student Broadband Initiative (see above on this page).
Monitoring data use
We’ll monitor student home internet data use. Your school will contact you if you’ve used more data than we think is reasonable for educational purposes.
Your internet service may be suspended or disabled if this continues.
Translations of Student Home Internet Program information and request forms
Information flyers and the request form and user agreement have been translated into the following languages.
Arabic
Burmese
Dari
Hindi
Nepali
Simplified Chinese
School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)
The Australian Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative is not currently accepting new nominations.
If you have an existing voucher, you can still redeem it with a participating internet provider. Unredeemed vouchers will remain valid until 30 June 2025.
For a list of participating internet providers and for more information on the initiative, visit or contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 for assistance.