New Grants To Help Bush Connectivity
The Regional Tech Hub has announced a new grants program, offering up to $3000 to community groups across rural, regional and remote Australia.
The Connect Grants are open to grassroots projects that help people navigate the complex world of phone and internet connectivity.
Regional Tech Hub General Manager, Jennifer Medway, said the program is about delivering practical, on-the-ground support.
“People now have more options for connectivity than ever before, but having options isn’t enough if you don’t know how to access them or where to start,” Ms Medway said.
“The Connect Grants are designed to bridge that gap by supporting local groups to create opportunities to explain services, support people through choices, and share tools to improve connectivity.
“The funding can be used for things like hosting community workshops, facilitating local training sessions, producing simple, localised resources, upskilling staff or volunteers in connectivity literacy, promoting the Regional Tech Hub, or sponsoring events where connectivity information can be shared.
“We know from working with thousands of communities across Australia that people are crying out for practical, local help. This program goes a long way to providing it,” Ms Medway said.
The Regional Tech Hub is an Australian Government initiative delivered by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), and provides free, independent advice on phone and internet connectivity to anyone living and working in rural, regional and remote Australia.
NFF President David Jochinke said the grants will empower community-led solutions.
“Connectivity challenges won’t be solved by infrastructure alone. We need local groups and trusted organisations to help people make sense of their options,” Mr Jochinke said.
“These grants compliment the work already happening in communities by supporting local groups to run events, workshops, training sessions, or create resources focused on improving phone and internet connectivity.”
Eligible applicants include not-for-profits, community groups, councils, and regional service providers.
“The Regional Tech Hub has supported hundreds of thousands of people right across the country over the past few years,” Ms Medway said.
“The Connect Grants mean we can help even more people access the very latest connectivity solutions.”
Applications open on Wednesday, 9 July 2025 and close at noon on Friday, 8 August 2025.
Projects must be delivered within six months of approval, but applicants don’t need to have confirmed dates when applying.
https://nff.org.au/media-release/new-grants-to-help-bush-connectivity/