Victoria’s Digital Future Now
The Victorian Government will provide $626 million in a landmark Victoria’s Digital Future Now investment to radically improve mobile coverage and broadband access in regional areas, while supporting businesses and creating new jobs.
Gigabit State
This includes $250 million to co-fund business-grade broadband connectivity for Victorian suburbs and regional towns through the Gigabit State program, which we will work to deliver in partnership with the Commonwealth.
Gigabit State will address gaps in the availability of reliable high-speed fibre optic and wireless broadband services for business users – helping them find new customers and new markets.
This includes upgrades in regional towns with satellite and fixed wireless services – giving them access to broadband.
It will also provide more opportunity for Victorians, with the construction and operation of this new broadband infrastructure to support nearly 2,000 jobs.
Removing Mobile Black Spots in regional Victoria
Up to $300 million will eradicate mobile blackspots in populated areas of regional Victoria – supporting local businesses, local economies and local communities. This investment remains subject to a co-contribution from the Commonwealth, which has responsibility for our nation’s telecommunications network.
Digital Skills and Jobs Program
An investment of $64 million will deliver the Digital Skills and Jobs Program, enabling unemployed Victorians to undertake digital skills training or a digital internship – helping them find new opportunity and employment.
This ground-breaking investment will assist 5,000 unemployed workers into a potential new career, helping them to retrain and reskill, with a strong focus on supporting women.
