Conroy calls for comment on Digital Hubs, Digital Enterprise draft guidelines

The Australian federal government has called for public comments on draft program guidelines for the Digital Hubs and Digital Enterprise programs.

The programs are intended to provide guidance on making the most of the National Broadband Network (NBN). The Digital Hubs program is aimed at residents in local communities, while the Digital Enterprise program is aimed at small-to-medium enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.

The programs will be offered to the first 40 communities to have access to the NBN.

The drafts detail the intents, desired outcomes, eligibility requirements and the application processes of the programs.

“The guidelines will shape the way we deliver the Digital Hubs and Digital Enterprise programs,” said Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

“It is important that Australians have the opportunity to comment on these draft guidelines so we can ensure these programs meet the needs of the community.”

Once the guidelines are finalised, an initial call for applications to deliver activities for both programs in the five mainland NBN first release sites, and three stage one communities in Tasmania, will be issued later this year.

Subsequent funding rounds will follow the rollout of the NBN.

The draft guidelines for the Digital Hubs program and the Digital Enterprise program are available on the website of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.