Government assistance
The government is providing assistance to help some households make the switch to digital. Australians who receive certain government payments, or live in specific areas, will have the cost of getting digital ready totally or partially covered. Conditions apply, so if you think you might be eligible, check the details of the two schemes.
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The Household Assistance Scheme (HAS) provides an assistance package, which may include the following:
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a high definition set-top box
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installation of the box by a government contracted installer
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a demonstration of how it works
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12 months warranty, service and technical support free of charge.
You may be eligible for the HAS if you own a working TV, have not yet converted to digital and receive the maximum rate of one of the following payments:
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Age Pension
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Disability Support Pension
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Carer Payment
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Department of Veterans' Affairs Service Pension
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Department of Veterans' Affairs Income Support Supplement.
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If you live in a household that relies on an analog TV signal from a self-help transmission tower that's not being converted to digital TV, you may be eligible for the subsidy.
The Satellite Subsidy Scheme (SSS) provides a subsidised installation of the equipment needed to receive the free-to-air Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service.
The subsidy greatly reduces the cost to get ready for digital TV. Eligible households must pay a household contribution to receive the assistance. The contribution will be between $200 and $250, depending on your location.