Skip Navigation LinksHome > Household Assistance Program

TEXT SIZE  AAA

Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme
In-home assistance will be provided to eligible households in Mildura, regional South Australia, regional Victoria and regional Queensland.

When do I switch?

Household Assistance Scheme

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 will need help to get ready for digital TV. The Government will therefore be providing in-home assistance to eligible households in the Mildura, regional South Australia, regional Victoria and regional Queensland TV licence areas. Lessons learned from these areas will help inform the broader approach taken for the rest of Australia.

What is the Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme?

The Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme will help eligible households to receive digital free-to-air TV signals. This package is free of charge, with a maximum of one per household (including if you move house or change residence) and will be provided by qualified government-contracted installers. It includes:

  • a high definition (HD) set top box;
  • the set up and installation of the set top box;
  • instructions on how to use it; and
  • any necessary upgrades to cabling and antenna systems, where eligible.

On 4 December 2009 Techlife, working with Hills Industries was announced as the successful contractor for the Mildura/Sunraysia switchover region.


Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for help provided:

  • You live in a household where you or your partner receives 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.
  • You own a functioning TV.
  • You do not currently have access to digital TV. (If you can watch ABC 2, then you probably do have access to digital TV.)
  • You live in a TV licence area that is currently switching to digital.


Please note that the upgrading of external antennas or cabling can only be undertaken in situations where the eligible person owns their place of residence and the household is not located in a multi-dwelling unit with a shared antenna system.

Applying for the scheme

How do I apply?

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

If you are eligible, a qualified service contractor will then call you to make an appointment for a qualified installer to come to your home and provide the installation. They will send you a letter to confirm the appointment time. 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.

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 the rollout maps for information on when your region is switching.

Centrelink will write to potentially eligible customers inviting them to participate in the scheme approximately six months before their region is due to switchover. Eligible households in the Mildura TV licence area received their letters in January 2010. For eligible households in South Australia, letters are expected to be sent out around June 2010.


Household Assistance Scheme brochure

Centrelink will send letters to potentially eligible households inviting them to participate in the Household Assistance Scheme. The brochure accompanying the letter provides additional information about the scheme, details of who is eligible and how to apply.

Household Assistance Scheme brochure – (pdf 282 kb)


User guides for the Hills Industries’ high definition set top box

Under the scheme, Techlife in conjunction with Hills Industries will supply, install and demonstrate the use of a high definition set top box in eligible households in the Mildura/Sunraysia TV licence area. Households will be provided with a ‘Quick set-up guide’ and ‘User’s Manual’ to assist with using the set top box. Copies of these guides are available below.

  • Quick set-up guide to connecting your set top box – (rtf 1,203kb; pdf 1,314 kb; word 606 kb)
  • Quick set-up guide to your remote control – (rtf 1,098 kb; pdf 1,883 kb; word 554 kb)
  • User’s Manual – (rtf 8 mb; pdf 734 kb; word 803 kb)

Rollout map

Rollout Map

Click to see when each region will be switching to digital

Contact us

Can't find what you're looking for?

Email: switchover@dbcde.gov.au

Call our information line:
1800 20 10 13

More contact details >