Areas of southern and central NSW, the ACT and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area switchover on 5 June 2012. Apply now for free help. 

Applications for areas of remote NSW and South Australia are now open, and close on 31 May 2012.

Applications for regional Queensland closed on 25 January 2012.

For the vast majority of people, making the switch to digital TV will be a relatively straightforward and inexpensive exercise. However, the Australian Government understands that some people may need help to get ready for digital TV. If you, or someone you know, are having trouble converting to digital TV, the Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme can help.

What is the Household Assistance Scheme?

The Household Assistance Scheme is a program run by the Australian government. It provides assistance to older Australians, veterans and people with disabilities, or their carers.

If you are eligible, the scheme provides the following package free of charge:

  • a high definition set-top box
  • a demonstration of your new equipment and instructions on how to use it
  • 12 months warranty, service and technical support. 

If you own your home, you may be eligible for necessary upgrades to cabling and antenna systems. If you live in an area that cannot receive terrestrial TV, the scheme provides equipment to receive free-to-air TV via satellite.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible for help if:

  • you have not yet converted to digital TV (if you can watch ABC2, SBSTWO, 7TWO, GO! or Eleven, then you have access to digital TV)
  • you have a working TV, and
  • you receive the full rate of one of the following payments:
    • Age Pension
    • Disability Support Pension
    • Carer Payment
    • Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Service Pension
    • DVA Income Support Supplement

If you already have digital equipment, you might still be eligible for help if you cannot get good reception.

Applying for the scheme

How do I apply?

Letters inviting potentially eligible individuals to opt into the Scheme will be sent out approximately six months before each area is due to switchover. The letter will invite you to contact Centrelink to check your eligibility.

If you are eligible, a service contractor will then call you to make an appointment for a qualified installer to come to your home and provide the installation. The service contractor or installer will not charge you for this service. If you have any doubts about the identity of the contractor, please call 1800 20 10 13.

Please note that the demonstration of the set top box by the installer and the reference material that they leave behind will be in English.

When can I apply?

The Household Assistance Scheme is available for six months before and one month after the switch to digital in your region. Check mySwitch for information on when your region is switching. 

Early switchover areas

Early assistance is available in some areas of southern and central NSW, the ACT and MIA that are switching to free-to-air digital TV early or receiving new digital services.

These areas include: Batlow; Bungendore; Conder; Cootamundra; Eastgrove; Eugowra; Grenfell; Gulgong;  Gundagai; Harden; Junee; Mount Kembla; Mudgee Town; Narrandera; Narromine; Narooma; Peak Hill; Tura Beach/Merimbula; Warren/Trangie; Wellington; and West Wyalong.

Centrelink is writing to eligible people in these areas with information about how to apply for free help under the Household Assistance Scheme. If you live in one of these areas and believe you are eligible you should check your eligibility now by calling 1800 556 443.

For more information about early switchover areas, click the 'Early switchover towns' link provided below under 'Related information'.

Need more information?

You can find out more about the Household Assistance Scheme, including the scheme guidelines, information about the scheme's installers and user guides by visiting the 'HAS Information' section of the 'Brochures and info sheets' page. A link is provided below under 'Related information'.

Related information