FAQs

General questions about the switch

• The switch
  • What is the switch?
    Historically, in parts of Australia, TV has been broadcast in both analog and digital signals. The ‘switch’ refers to how the analog signals are being phased out (or switched off) across the country. This means that Australian TV will be broadcast using digital-only signals, by the end of this year.
  • How can I check if I have already made the switch?
    An easy way to tell if you have digital free-to-air is whether you can receive ABC2, ABC3 or SBS TWO. These are standard definition channels, so if you can view them it means your TV can receive digital signal and that you have already made the switch.
  • Why do I have to switch?
    You will have to make the switch in order to continue to watch TV. Once the analog signals have been turned off in your area, you will only be able to watch TV via the digital signal.
  • When is the switch happening?
    The switchover began in 2010 and will continue until the end of this year.  It has been rolled out progressively around the country, region by region. To find out when your area is switching, enter your address in mySwitch. All areas will have switched by the end of 2013.
  • What happens if I don't do anything?

    Choosing not to do anything means you’ll lose access to free-to-air TV when the switchover is complete in your area.  That means you will not be able to watch any TV.

  More info about the switch
• Reception
  • How can I fix poor digital reception?
    If you have poor digital reception there are a number of ways of finding the problem, including:
    

    • retune your set-top box or digital TV
    • wait for poor weather conditions to pass
    • check for immediate obstructions or impulse noise
    • review your antenna annd cabling.

    For more information on troubleshooting your digital reception, see Reception.
  • How can I tell if I am within digital range?
    You can check the reception coverage of your home through mySwitch.
  • I have checked my equipment and according to mySwitch I am within digital range, why aren’t I receiving digital free-to-air TV?
    If troubleshooting was unsuccessful, you may need to modify or replace your TV antenna. We recommend that you contact an endorsed Antenna Installer in your area. You can find an endorsed Antenna Installer through mySwitch or for more information, see Antennas.
  • What if my satellite TV has poor reception?
    Most likely, it has not been installed or set up correctly. You should contact the company that installed your satellite system. See Reception for more information.
  • I have poor reception in my apartment or shared housing, what should I do?
    If you have checked your equipment, there may be an issue with your shared antenna.
    
    If you are renting your shared housing, see Tenants. If you own your shared housing, see Property managers.
    
    
  More info about coverage and reception
• Retuning
  • How do I retune my TV?
    Many receivers will automatically scan for channels and store them in memory. While all set-top boxes or digital TVs will differ slightly, most will require you to follow the same basic steps to retune.
    
    1. Access ‘settings’ or ‘menu’ on your digital TV or set-top box remote control.
    2. Once you’ve accessed the menu, find the ‘retune’ option. This may be found in ‘set up’, ‘channel’ or ‘store channels’. The name of the retune option may vary, it could be called ‘re-scan’, ‘replace’ or ‘store channels.’
    3. Select the relevant option and allow your digital receiver to automatically identify digital TV channels.
    
    For more information on retuning, see Helpdesk.
  • I retuned my TV and still don’t receive clear channels or all digital channels?
    Some digital receivers will need to be tuned more than once to pick up all digital channels. If you have tried retuning your TV and still have problems with reception or receiving all digital channels, see Reception.
  More info about retuning
• Household Assistance Scheme (HAS)
  • What is the Household Assistance Scheme (HAS)?
    The HAS is a program to help older Australians, veterans and people with disabilities (or their carers), to get digital ready. See Household Assistance Scheme for more information.
  • Am I eligible for the HAS?
    If you receive the full rate of payments like the age pension, disability support pension, carer payment or specific veteran’s affairs payments you might be eligible. See Household Assistance Scheme for more information.
  • What will I receive under the HAS?
    You will receive a range of assistance that may include a high definition set-top box, installation of your new equipment and a 12-month warranty, service and technical support. Where you cannot receive an adequate digital TV signal, you may receive equipment to access the VAST service. See Household Assistance Scheme for more information.
  • How do I apply for the Household Assistance Scheme (HAS)?
    If you are potentially eligible for the HAS, you will receive a letter from the Department of Human Services inviting you to call them on 1800 556 443 to confirm your eligibility.
  • Can I nominate someone to act on my behalf?
    Yes, customers may nominate a recognised customer agent (agent) to act on their behalf, when speaking with the Department of Human Services. An agent will work with the service contractor and Government-contracted installers to schedule appointments, make any decisions relating to installation work under the Scheme, confirm relevant permissions have been sought, and sign off on any work undertaken during the service call.
    
    If you are nominating an agent, it is important to be aware that they will need to be present during the visit by the Government-contracted installer. Otherwise, the service will not proceed.
    
    
  • I have already bought a set top box I am experiencing technical difficulties. Can I still apply for the HAS?
    Yes. A person is able to opt into the Household Assistance Scheme if they already own the appropriate equipment to receive digital TV but are having difficulty receiving all the standard definition digital TV channels available in their area. Please note that the TV licence area may not broadcast all standard definition digital channels offered across Australia and this assistance applies only when a person is having difficulty receiving those channels available in their area. It does not apply to high definition channels.
    
  • I have previously upgraded my TV to digital. Why can't I have assistance to cover the costs?
    If you already have access to digital TV, you have shown that you have the capacity to convert to digital TV without requiring practical or technical assistance. The Scheme was introduced to overcome practical barriers experienced by people switching over to digital TV and focuses on providing practical and technical assistance rather than financial assistance. To be eligible, one must be receiving the maximum rate of one of the payments, must own a functioning TV and not already have access to digital TV. 
    
  • Is there any difference if I rent or own my own home?
    Yes, there is. If you do not own your place of residence, the Government-contracted installer can supply and install a set-top box and upgrade the indoor antenna or cabling if required. However, they cannot make changes to external antennas or cabling. See Tenants for more information. 
    
    If you own your home, the Government-contracted installer can supply and install a set-top box and make any necessary changes to your external cabling and antenna system. See Property managers for more information.
  • Is there anything I need to do before the Government-contracted installer visits my home?
    No, there is not, provided your home is clear of any debris and is a safe environment for the Government-contracted installer to enter and work in. Service contractor(s) are required to comply with work health and safety laws, and are not required to provide services to customers where the installer and/or the service contractor(s) determines the customer’s premises are dangerous to enter or work in.
  • What about people living in nursing homes or disability housing?
    If people living in nursing homes or shared disability housing own the television they watch, they are entitled to receive assistance. However, the upgrading of external antennas or cabling in care facilities, such as nursing homes or shared disability accommodation, is the responsibility of the property owner and will not be included in the assistance package.
    
  • Why is assistance only available to eligible maximum rate pensioners?
    The scheme is directed to people who have both practical need and limited financial capacity to pay for assistance. Maximum rate recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Service Pension or the DVA Income Support Supplement payment have been identified (with help from experience overseas) as the groups in need of this special assistance.
  More info about the HAS
• Satellite Subsidy Scheme (SSS)
  • What is the Satellite Subsidy Scheme (SSS)?
    The SSS provides support for households in regional and remote areas which rely on an analog self-help retransmission tower which is not being converted to digital. See Satellite Subsidy Scheme for more information.
  • Am I eligible for the SSS?
    You must satisfy three criteria to be eligible for the SSS. You must be:

    • an eligible person,
    • living in an eligible dwelling
    • located in an eligible area. 

    For more information on eligibility and to see if SSS is open in your area, see Satellite Subsidy Scheme.
  • How do I apply for SSS?
    You can apply on the SSS application page or by calling the Digital Ready Information Line direct on 1800 20 10 13, 8am to midnight (AEST), 7 days.
  • What happens after I apply for the SSS?
    If you have applied and are eligible and registered for the SSS, you will be sent a letter from the Digital Switchover Taskforce advising how your installation will be arranged. A representative from the government contracted service provider will then contact you by letter and phone to arrange an installation time.
    
    SSS installations will be carried out by installers experienced in domestic satellite dish installation subject to a contract between the Commonwealth and the service contractor. The installer will supply, install and demonstrate the Viewer Access Satellite Television Service (VAST) service. If a household co-contribution is required, the installer will require payment at the time of installation.
  • What will I receive under the SSS?
    The SSS provides a subsidised installation of equipment to enable eligible households to access the free-to-air Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service. The installation includes a satellite dish, a VAST set top box, associated cabling and a warranty on the installation and equipment. For more information on subsidies, see Satellite Subsidy Scheme.
  • How much do I have to pay for the SSS?
    Eligible households must pay a household contribution to receive the assistance. The contribution is between $200 and $250, depending on your location.
    
  • How will I get TV if my local self-help TV tower is not being upgraded?
    If you are watching TV from a self-help transmission tower that’s not being converted to digital, you can access VAST through the Satellite Subsidy Scheme (SSS).  VAST is a new satellite platform that supplies free-to-air TV around Australia.
    
    Licensees of a self-help TV tower have the option of upgrading their tower to digital at their own expense. However if they do so, households that receive their TV service from this tower will not be eligible for the SSS, even if they later find they are not able to receive adequate digital TV reception from the upgraded self-help tower.
    
    See VAST for more information.
  • What if I'm not eligible for the SSS but I need to access satellite TV?
    Households not eligible for the SSS may still apply for access to the Viewer Access Satellite television (VAST) service. VAST applicants are responsible for all costs associated with accessing the VAST service. This includes the cost of equipment to receive the VAST service. More detail on how to apply for VAST can be found at www.mysattv.com.au
  • I don't own my own home. Am I eligible for the SSS?

    Yes. Tenants in eligible dwellings can apply for the SSS if they have received permission from the landlord or the landlord’s agent. An applicant who is a tenant must sign and present a declaration on the SSS application form that they have, or will obtain the landlord’s written permission to install the direct-to-home satellite equipment in that dwelling. Communal residential living premises, such as group homes, disability homes, nursing homes and retirement villages with communal living arrangements may be eligible for one subsidy per distinct address.

  • I have been advised that I'm not eligible for the SSS. What can I do?

    A SSS applicant may appeal the decision that they are ineligible due to their location and the predicted coverage from a self-help TV tower.  SSS applicants deemed ineligible for the SSS, who request an appeal, must make a declaration that they rely on a signal from a self-help tower and do not receive a digital TV signal from any other tower. Under the appeal process, the applicant may be required to provide a broadcast signal reading, at their own cost, carried out by an endorsed antenna installer. SSS appeals may be made by calling the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13, 8am to midnight (AEST), 7days.

  • I am not eligible for the SSS, but what about the Household Assistance Scheme (HAS)?

    The SSS and the HAS are two separate schemes. The SSS is available for eligible households which rely on TV reception from a local TV tower not being converted to digital, while you may be eligible for the HAS if you receive specific full government payments, such as age pension, disability support pension, carer payment or specific veteran’s affairs payments. 
    
    Where the SSS is requires a household co-contribution of between $200 and $350, the HAS provides free equipment and installation. Applicants are not eligible to receive assistance under both schemes. See Household Assistance Scheme for more information.
     

  • Is the SSS available to Remote Indigenous Communities?
    Households in SSS identified Remote Indigenous Communities (RICs) relying on TV reception from a TV tower not converted to digital may be eligible for the SSS. Installations through the SSS for eligible households in RICs are eligible for additional assistance. RIC households do not need to apply for the SSS through the Digital Ready website or the Digital Ready Information Line. More information about the SSS application and installation process for a RIC will be provided to the community closer to the installation period for that community. See  Indigenous Australians for more information.
  More info about the SSS
• Equipment
  • What equipment do I need to get digital ready?
    You'll need a set-top box, personal video recorder (PVR), digital TV, or subscription TV. To figure out which option is best for you, see Equipment.
  • Can I keep my old analog TV?
    You can, but you’ll need to buy and install a new set-top box to continue to watch TV on it. For more information, see Set-top boxes.
  • Where can I recycle my old equipment?
    You can find information about recycling services in or near your local area, by calling the National Recycling Hotline on 1300 733 712 or visiting www.RecyclingNearYou.com.au.
    
    For more information, see Old equipment.
  • How do I install my equipment?
    Installation will vary depending upon your equipment choices and model of equipment. For more information and detailed instructions on installing equipment, see Helpdesk.
  • Will I need a new antenna to get digital ready?
    If you have correctly installed digital ready equipment and you're not receiving digital signal you may need to replace your antenna or wiring. You should contact an endorsed Antenna Installer in your area to look at your equipment. You can find a local endorsed Antenna Installer through endorsed Antenna Installer or for more information, see Antennas.
  • What type of antenna do I need to receive digital signal?
    Technical information concerning antennas is in mySwitch. Enter your address in mySwitch and access the Antenna setup guide. For more technical information on shared antenna systems in apartment buildings, see the Antenna System eToolkit.
  • How do I know if a salesperson is from the government?

    The Australian Government does not authorise anyone to go door-to-door selling conversion equipment. Anyone who does so is falsely claiming to represent the government. If you’re unsure whether the person assisting you is part of an Australian Government program, please contact the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13. This is a free call from landlines.

     

  More info about Equipment
• Satellite TV
  • What is Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST)?
    VAST is the government's new satellite service that supplies free-to-air TV around Australia. The service will provide everyone around Australia with the same range of channels. For more information on the VAST service, see Viewer Access Satellite Television.
  • Do I need VAST?
    If you're currently using the Aurora service, live in a regional or remote area, watch TV from a self-help transmission tower or have poor TV reception, you may be eligible for VAST. See Satellites for more information.
  • Do I need a satellite dish?
    Yes. To receive VAST services you need a satellite dish. If you already have a satellite dish it will probably be digital ready. You can also contact an endorsed Satellite Installer to discuss your needs, which you can find through mySwitch.
  • How do I register my Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) set-top box or smartcard?
    To register your VAST set-top box you’ll be asked for the decoder or model number, the serial number, and the smartcard number inside the box.
    
    To register your VAST set-top box, use mySwitch.
  • What is a self-help TV tower?
    A self-help TV tower receives and retransmits free-to-air signals from the main television broadcaster towers or satellites. Self-help TV towers are owned and maintained by self-help licensees such as local councils and local community organisations in areas where broadcasters have not established towers, or where the signal from the broadcasters tower serving the area is not adequate.
    
    If you are in an area relying on TV reception from a local analog self-help TV tower not converting to digital, you may be eligible for the SSS. See Satellite Subsidy Scheme for more information.
  • Why isn't my local self-help TV tower being upgraded?
    Television broadcasters collectively reached an agreement to upgrade a number of analog self-help TV towers across Australia to operate in digital. It is a commercial decision for broadcasters as to which sites they choose to convert to digital, subject to planning approval from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The Government is not contributing to the upgrade of analog self-help TV towers.
  • What should a self-help licensee consider before upgrading their self-help TV tower to digital?
    Self-help licensees have a choice – to either meet the full cost of upgrading and maintaining their self-help tower to digital TV, or to switch off their tower and opt their community in to receive the Satellite Subsidy Scheme (SSS). Licensees who choose to upgrade their services to digital must apply for a digital broadcasting license from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The decision to approve a licence request is a matter for the ACMA and will depend on a wide range of technical and regulatory considerations. The ACMA’s guidelines are available on www.acma.gov.au.
    
    Based on industry advice, the basic capital cost of upgrading each self-help tower to retransmit the VAST service is $150 000 with maintenance costs expected to be greater than $200 000 over a 10 year period. If a self-help licensee pursues this option, households that receive their TV service from this tower will not be eligible for assistance under the SSS at any stage.
  • What happens if I am receving analog Aurora services?
    If you are currently receiving analog commercial television services via the Aurora satellite, you may be automatically eligible to receive VAST now.
    
    However, you must be receiving Aurora commercial services via 'special permission' from the ACMA or live in an area that has been opened for VAST by the broadcasters. You must also be located at the same address for which Aurora services were requested for the special permission to remain valid. To check your eligibility for VAST, use mySwitch.
  More info about Satellite TV
• Rental Properties
  • Who is responsible for upgrading a rental properties antenna system?
    The owner of a rental property is often obliged to keep the antenna system in working order. This would include upgrading it to receive digital TV or digital satellite TV. If you own a rental property and need more information, see Property managers.
  • I’m a tenant. Can I upgrade the antenna system?
    You should not attempt to upgrade the antenna or make any changes without first consulting your property manager or landlord. For more information, see Tenants.
  • What if I live in an apartment building, shared housing or another type of multiple dwelling unit?
    If this is your set up, you may have a shared antenna system (often referred to as a master antenna TV system or MATV). You should contact the body corporate or owners corporation and ask them about the housing’s digital ready status.
    
    For more about antenna systems in multiple dwellings, see Antenna Systems eToolkit (ASeT). 
  • Are the costs of digital switchover tax deductible?
    If you own a rental property, you may be able to claim a tax deduction for your antenna installation, purchase or upgrade. See Property managers for more information.
  More info about Rental Properties
• Digital switchover industry
  • What industry schemes are available through the government?
    The government has developed the Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme to help consumers to find experienced antenna installers for the digital switchover.
  • How do I become an endorsed Antenna Installer?
    There are a number of steps to becoming an endorsed installer. Experienced installers must register for participation, have their registration approved and complete online assessments. For more information on the scheme, see Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme.
  • What if I have more questions about the Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme?
    The scheme is covered comprehensively in Antenna Installers. If you cannot find the information you require, call the endorsement scheme on 03 9937 6420, 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
  More info about Digital switchover industry