Digital TV Switchover – Household Assistance Scheme
Currently in Australia free-to-air TV is broadcast in both digital and analog. However the analog signals will be gradually switched off, and Australian TV will become digital-only.
To find out when you need to switchover, use the mySwitch service on the Digital Ready website.
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Do you need help to get digital ready?
To keep receiving free-to-air TV after the digital switchover, you will need a TV that can receive digital signals. You can convert your current TV to digital by either:
- using a set top box
- a digital recording device, or
- you can buy a TV with a built-in digital tuner.
The Australian government understands that some people will need help to get ready for digital TV which is why we have introduced the Household Assistance Scheme.
What is the Household Assistance Scheme?
The Household Assistance Scheme will help eligible households to receive digital TV signals. The package is free of charge, with a maximum of one per couple (including if you move house or change residence). It will be installed by a qualified government contractor and includes:
- one high definition set-top box
- the installation of the set-top box by a Government-contracted installer
- a demonstration and the provision of instructions on how to use the set-top box
- 12 month in-home warranty on the set-top box and associated work undertaken in your home, and
- 12 months access to a free hotline to provide technical support.
If you live with someone who is not your partner, and they are receiving one of the eligible payments, they may also be eligible to receive assistance under the scheme. They should contact Centrelink to check their eligibility.
If you own your home, you may be eligible for any necessary upgrades to your cabling and antenna system, including an external antenna. The scheme also provides satellite TV equipment in some areas that cannot receive TV from local transmitter towers.
Who is eligible for the Household Assistance Scheme?
You may be eligible for help if you:
- live in a household where you or your partner is receiving the maximum rate of one of the following payments:
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension
- Carer Payment
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension, or
- Department of Veterans Affairs Income Support Supplement
- own a functioning TV
- do not already have access to digital TV on any of the TVs that you own (if you can watch ABC2 or SBS TWO then you probably have access to digital TV, and
- live in a TV license area that is currently switching to digital TV.
Before receiving the installation you will be asked to sign an official declaration stating you do not already have access to free-to-air digital TV on any of the TVs that you own. Please be aware that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence.
How do I apply?
Centrelink will send a letter to people who may be eligible for the Household Assistance Scheme. Letters will be sent approximately six months before each area is due to switchover. The letter will invite you to contact Centrelink to check your eligibility for the scheme.
To apply for the Household Assistance Scheme you will need to call Centrelink on 1800 556 443 between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm (local time), Monday to Friday.
This assistance is only available by calling Centrelink. You cannot get a government-provided set-top box at a retail store, from door-to-door salesmen or antenna installers.
Once you have submitted an application with Centrelink, a service contractor will call you to make an appointment for a qualified installer to come to your home. The service contractor will then send you a letter to confirm the appointment. You will not be charged for this service.
You can nominate someone on your behalf to deal with the service contractor and installer or you can organise a support person to be with you at the time of installation.
If you have any doubts about the identity of the installer call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.
When can I apply?
The Household Assistance Scheme is available for six months before and one month after the switch to digital TV in your region. Check mySwitch on the Digital Ready website for information about when your region is switching to Digital TV.
More information
To find out if you are eligible for the Household Assistance Scheme call Centrelink on 1800 556 443 between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm (local time), Monday to Friday.
To find out more about getting ready to switch to digital TV:
- visit the Digital Ready website
- on the Digital Ready website read the Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme information sheet
- call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13
If you have a hearing or speech impairment, call the TTY service, FreeCALL™ 1800 555 677. A TTY phone is required to use this service.
Information in your language
If you need information in another language about the Household Assistance Scheme, you can:
- call Centrelink’s Multilingual Call Centre on 13 1202
- refer to the Interpreter and Translation service in the services section.
The Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme factsheet is available in other languages on the Digital Ready website: