Part C: Application Information
Part C: Application Information for
Broadband for Seniors
Kiosk Hosting Organisations
Program Guidelines SuitePage 1 of 16
Part C: Application Information
Preface
These Guidelines provide the framework for the implementation and administration of the Allowances, Concessions and Services for Seniors Program (the Program).
The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (the Department) has a suite of documents (the Program Guideline Suite) which provide information relating to the Program. They provide the key starting point for parties considering whether to participate in the Program and form the basis for the business relationship between the Department and the funding recipient.
The Program Guidelines Suite consists of three parts:
-Part A:Allowances, Concessions and Services for SeniorsProgram Guidelines
Thisprovides an overview of the Allowances, Concessions and Services for Seniors Program and the Activities relating to the program.
-Part B: Information for Applicants
This provides information on the Application, Assessment, Selection and Complaints processes; and Financial and Funding Agreement (Kiosk Host Agreement) arrangements.
Thisprovidesspecific information on the Activity, Selection Criteria, Performance Management and Reporting. This part should be read in conjunction with theGeneral Grant Conditions.
The Application Form is separate to the Program Guidelines Suite and must becompleted by applicants applying for funding during a selection process.
The Department reserves the right to amend these documents from time to time by whatever means it may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments.
Commonwealth Grant Guidelines
The Commonwealth grants policy framework applies to all departments and agencies (agencies) subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act).
The Commonwealth Grant Guidelines (CGGs) establish the Commonwealth grants policy framework. They contain the key legislative and policy requirements, and explain the better practice principles of grants administration. More information and a copy of the CGGs can be found at
Table of Contents
Preface
1Program Overview
1.1Program Outcome
1.2Objective
2Activity Overview
2.1Broadband for Seniors
2.2Objectives
2.3Aims
2.4Description of services to be provided to senior Australians
2.5Description of services to be provided by Kiosk Hosting Organisations
2.6Description of services to be provided by the Service Provider(s)
2.7Eligibility
2.8Target group
2.9Funding for the activity
2.10Eligible and ineligible activities
2.11Activity links and working with other agencies and services
2.12Specialist requirements (e.g. Legislative requirements)
2.13Information technology
2.14Reporting and record keeping
3Application Process
3.1Overview of the Application Process
3.2Selection Criteria
3.3How to submit an application
3.4Conflicts of interest
3.5Questions and answers during the application period
3.6Questions after the application period
3.7Application Acknowledgement
3.8Selection Panel
3.9Selection Process
3.10Privacy
4Contact information
5Glossary
Program Overview
The Australian Government helps to support senior Australians through allowances, concessions and services.
The Allowances, Concessions and Services for Seniors Program (the Program), delivered through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (the Department) provides payments to eligible seniors and provides grants and funding to organisations that deliver services for senior Australians.
The Program has one annual administered component – Broadband for Seniors.
1.1Program Outcome
The Program aims to provide an adequate standard of living and improved capacity to productively manage resources and life-transitions for senior Australians through the delivery of payments, concessions and information services.
1.2Objective
The Program objective is to make payments and provide services to senior Australians to assist with household expenses, enabling them to maintain their standard of living, and increase access to information and community resources.
2Activity Overview
2.1Broadband for Seniors
Broadband for Seniors is an Australian Government initiative that aims to increase the participation of senior Australians in the digital economy by ensuring they have access to the latest computing technology and training to increase their confidence and skills in using computers and the internet.
Broadband for Seniors aims to build community participation and social inclusion among senior Australians though the provision of volunteering opportunities and free access to, and training in, the use of computers and the internet.
Broadband for Seniors maintains a network of up to 2,000 internet Kiosks in places frequented by senior Australians, such as community centres, retirement villages, libraries and local clubs. These organisations receive computer equipment and support infrastructure to enable them to deliver Broadband for Seniors services.
The Government has committed a total of $25.4 million to Broadband for Seniors since it began in 2008:
- Broadband for Seniors was a part of the Making Ends Meet – Plan for Older Australians, People with Disabilities and Carers package. Making Ends Meet committed $15 million over three years
(2008-09 to 2010-11) to place free internet Kiosks in approximately 2,000 community organisations and other locations that seniors frequently visit. - In the 2011-12 Budget, the Australian Government committed an additional $10.4 million to continue Broadband for Seniors until 30 June 2015.
Broadband for Seniors services are delivered through Broadband for Seniors Kiosk Hosting Organisations and the Department’s nominated Service Provider(s).
Through the Supporting Senior Australians – Keeping Seniors Connected (Keeping Seniors Connected) measure announced in the 2013-14 Budget, a further $9.9 million will be provided over four years to upgrade Broadband for Seniors Kiosks. This will ensure senior Australians continue to have access to the latest in information technology and allow them to both remain socially connected over the Internet and access the benefits offered by the National Broadband Network.
Funding of $5 million will be provided to community organisations for education and training appropriately tailored to seniors on cyber security issues and the use of multimedia devices.
2.2Objectives
Kiosk Hosting Organisations must work with the Department and its nominated Service Provider(s) to achieve the following objectives by June 2015:
- improve the skills and confidence of senior Australians in using computers and the internet
- provide free access to training andbroadband internet to senior Australians through the Broadband for Seniors Kiosk network
- providetraining and resources to improve senior Australians’ access to, and use of, the internet.
2.3Aims
Broadband for Seniors aims to enhance senior Australians’ capacity to access information and community resources to increase their confidence and skills in using computers and the internet, helping to build their community participation and social inclusion.
The aim of Broadband for Seniorsisto:
- provide senior Australians with access to computers and the internet via free internet Kiosks
- support senior Australians to gain confidence and build skills in using new technology,enabling them to fully participate in the digital economy
- address the issue of senior Australians feeling isolated and ‘left behind’ in a technological age
- build community participation and social inclusion amongst senior Australians
- facilitateaccess to information on the benefits offered by the National Broadband Network (NBN).
2.4Description of services to be provided to senior Australians
Senior Australians are provided with free access to computers, the internet and personalised training at up to 2,000 Broadband for Seniors Kiosks across Australia.
Guidance and ongoing support is provided in a friendly face-to-face environment by Volunteer Tutors either individually or in small groups. Training is tailored to the needs of senior Australians and covers topics such as how to use a computer, send emails, surf the internet, use videoconferencing tools and how to stay safe online. Senior Australians also have access to training materials to enable them to learn at their own pace.
2.5Description of services to be provided by Kiosk Hosting Organisations
Organisations hosting a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk will:
- provide free access to computers, the internet and training to senior Australians
- make training regularly availableto senior Australians. It is preferable, but not a requirement, that kiosks provide a minimum of 10 hours training per week
- offer a safe, secure and friendly environment that is non-threatening to senior Australians
- make the Kiosk site accessible to senior Australians at times convenient to the needs of senior Australians in the local community.
Organisations hosting a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk must:
- provide Broadband for Seniors services to 30 June 2015
- ensure that the Kiosk will not be used for any inappropriate purposes
- recruit and support Volunteer Tutors to provide training to senior Australians
- identifyspecific times, within a Kiosks operating hours, when Volunteer Tutors will be available to assist senior Australians and provide training. This will vary between each Kiosk.
- ensure that a Police Check has been conducted for any individual that will have contact with senior Australians in the delivery of Broadband for Seniors training and support (refer section 2.12)
- ensure the Gifted Assets will be fully insured against flood, fire, theft, vandalism and fusion
- promote the Kiosk
- ensure that the Kiosk is secure out-of-hours
- provide access to other amenities (i.e. toilet facilities)
- ensure that the Kiosk has adequate public liability insurance arrangements in place
- be well-positioned for senior Australians to access and comfortably use the services
- have access to a property or can obtain access to an area big enough to accommodate up to two desktop computers set on two desks
- demonstrate the space available has suitable lighting, access to at least a double power point,
air-conditioning and heating, and can be accessed by persons with disability - for security purposes, supervise Kiosks at all times during Kiosk opening hours
- for Greenfields sites, be able to provide a phone line that is capable of having a DSL service provisioned on it
- for own-DSL sites, be able to provide a broadband internet connection with a minimum upload/download speed consistent with current industry standards.
Organisations hosting a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk should:
- be experienced in servicing the special needs of senior Australians
- be a well-established local community centre, retirement village, club or society or any other suitable public place used and frequented by senior Australians
- be willing to connect to the NBN in accordance with its rollout schedule as provided at
Nominated assets
The Department will engage a Service Provider(s)to provide Kiosk Hosting Organisations with nominated assets. The Department or its nominated Service Provider(s) will gift all nominated Assets to the Hosting Organisations on signing of the Kiosk Hosting Agreement. Gifting the Assets to the Kiosk Hosting Organisations means neither the Department nor the Service Provider(s) are to own the Assets, thus negating either organisation from having to claim depreciation of the Assets.
Gifting of the assets is subject to the Kiosk Hosting Organisation accepting ownership of the Gifted Assets and the following conditions:
- the Kiosk Hosting Organisation continues to provide Broadband for Seniors services until 30 June 2015
- the Kiosk Hosting Organisation submits all Kiosk Host Reports
- Broadband for Seniors equipment and Assets are not used for inappropriate purposes
- the Gifted Assets are fully insured against flood, fire, theft, vandalism and fusion
- the Kiosk Hosting Organisation has public liability insurance arrangements in place
- the Kiosk Hosting Organisation does not experience insolvency at any time during the life of theHosting Agreement
- the Kiosk Hosting Organisation does not relocate the Assets at any time during the life of thehosting Agreement without the approval from the Department and
- the Kiosk Hosting Organisation does not sell or dispose of the Assets prior to 30 June 2015 unless agreed with the Department.
Kiosk Hosting Organisations that do not abide by these conditions may be required to return the Assets to the Department or its nominated Service Provider(s).
The Department or its nominated Service Provider(s) must provide Asset maintenance support to the Kiosk Hosting Organisations during the Activity Period, as required. The Kiosk Hosting Organisations must act as follows:
- should any Asset (furniture or equipment) become inoperative, the Kiosk Hosting Organisation must return the faulty equipment to the Department or its nominated Service Provider(s), which must supply to the Host Organisation an operating replacement. All freight costs will generally be covered by the Service Provider(s).
- should any Asset (furniture or equipment) be lost or stolen or otherwise go missing, the Kiosk Hosting Organisation must purchase a replacement unit(s) directly from the Department or its nominated Service Provider(s) at the Hosting Organisation’s own expense.
Kiosk Hosting Agreement
In accepting any level of support under Broadband for Seniors, a Kiosk Hosting Organisation must sign a Kiosk Hosting Agreement. The Kiosk Hosting Agreement states that the Kiosk Hosting Organisation understands their roles and responsibilities as a Kiosk Hosting Organisation and that they support the objectives of Broadband for Seniors. All Kiosk Host reporting responsibilities (refer to section 2.14) are outlined in the Kiosk Hosting Agreement.
Upon execution of the Kiosk Hosting Agreement, an organisation will be considered a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk Host and counted as a provider of Broadband for Seniors Kiosk services.
2.6Description of services to be provided by the Service Provider(s)
For the period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2015, the Department will engage a Service Provider(s) to manage the relationship with Kiosk Hosting Organisations on its behalf. Kiosk Hosting Organisations will be notified by email of the details of the nominated Service Provider(s). A description of services to be provided by the Service Provider(s) is at Item 2.6 of Program Guidelines – Part C: Application Information for Broadband for Seniors Service Provider(s).
2.7Eligibility
The following entity types are eligible to apply for fundingfor this activity:
a)Incorporated Associations (incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc' in their legal name)
b)Incorporated Cooperatives (also incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have "Cooperative' in their legal name)
c)Companies (incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 – may be not-for-profit or for-profit proprietary company (limited by shares or by guarantee) or public companies)
d)Aboriginal Corporations (incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006)
e)Organisations established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State/Territory legislation (many public benevolent institutions, churches, universities, unions etc)
f)Partnerships
g)Trustees on behalf of a Trust
h)An Australian Local Government body and
i)An Unincorporated Association or Organisation.
Unincorporated Associations and Organisations are not eligible to host a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk. However, these organisations may be sponsored by an eligible organisation, who can apply on their behalf. The sponsoring organisation must be an organisation that has the necessary legal entity status to enter into a Kiosk Hosting Agreement with the Department and to administer the funding on their behalf.
2.8Target group
All senior Australians are eligible to utilise Broadband for Seniors Kioskservices.
The primary target group are those senior Australians with limited or no experience in using computers and the internet or who require training in areas of significant concern to senior Australians, such as internet security, scams and frauds.
The secondary target group are senior Australians who have acquired basic skills, but would like to further their knowledge and confidence in using more advanced computing and internet-based applications such as social networking and videoconferencing.
2.9Funding for the activity
There is maximum funding of $2.6 million in 2013-14 and $2.6 million in 2014-15 for the ongoing delivery of Broadband for Seniors services.
Through the Keeping Seniors Connected measure, an additional $6 million is available in 2013-14 and $2million in 2014-15 for the rollout of new technology and theone-off $2,000training grants (GST exclusive). This funding isavailableto up to 2,000 Broadband for Seniors Kiosks.
2.10Eligible and ineligible activities
Eligible Activities – Training Grant
Computer hardware provided to Broadband for Seniors Kiosksmust be used to provide training to senior Australians on how to use the computer and internet.
The training grant must be used for the provision of training to senior Australians on any of the following topics:
- basic skills in how to use a computer and the internet
- cyber security, cyber safety and personal security issues (such as cyber threats, fraud and scams), including information on the free tools and resources available
- use of videoconferencing tools
- advanced computer training skills, such as online banking, social networking and the use of multimedia devices (including but not limited to tablets, smart phones or other small screen devices)
- the benefits of the NBN and other Digital Productivity Initiatives (such as personally controlled electronic health records).
The training grant can also be used for:
- developing new training materials which meet the emerging information technology needs of senior Australians
- translating existing training materials into languages and formats suitable for senior Indigenous Australians and/or senior Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- improving the accessibility of training materials for use by senior Australians with disability
- facilitating “Train the Trainer” training
- providing assistance to help senior Australians in rural and remote regions with the costs of attending training
- other activities consistent with the aims of Broadband for Seniors and as agreed the Department.
Eligible activities - Broadband connection rebate:
All Kiosks that provide their own internet connection (own-DSL) will be eligible to receive an annual payment of $360 ($30 per month) (GST exclusive) as a contribution towards the cost of their internet connection.
Ineligible Activities
Funding may not be used by the Kiosk Hosting Organisation for activities that are not related to the implementation or delivery of Internet training to senior Australians.
2.11Activity links and working with other agencies and services