Administration of the digital television switchover household assistance scheme

This audit assessed the effectiveness of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy’s administration of the Household Assistance Scheme. Digital television broadcasts in Australia commenced in simulcast (alongside existing analog channels) in metropolitan areas in January 2001. In 2008, the Australian Government committed to a progressive timetable to switch off analog television broadcasting services across Australia and move to digital only television broadcasting during the period from 2010 to 2013. The switchover from analog to digital television is expected to provide all Australians with access to superior television services in terms of choice, services, accessibility, usability and improved picture quality. A successful digital switchover is also important to allow spectrum to be used more efficiently. The closure of analog television broadcasts will allow spectrum to be ‘re stacked’ to provide a digital dividend in line with that achieved in major developed countries. This re-stacking will enable the spectrum to be made available to new users and generate significant revenue for the Australian Government