The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has confirmed the Regional Tech Hub will wrap up after Australian Government funding for the program ended on 30 June and efforts to secure an alternative funding source were not successful.
Since launching in December 2020, the Regional Tech Hub has provided free, independent and practical phone and internet advice to people across rural, regional and remote Australia.
Over its life, the service reached hundreds of thousands of Australians and provided one-on-one assistance to more than 80,000 households.
In 2025 alone:
- More than 28,000 regional Australians received direct connectivity support, averaging more than 75 people every day.
- 327,254 people visited the Regional Tech Hub website.
- 7,877 people contacted the Regional Tech Helpdesk.
- 3,480 people received in-person help from a Regional Tech Hub team member at an event.
NFF Chief Executive Officer Michael Guerin said the closure was a deeply disappointing outcome for regional Australia.
“The Regional Tech Hub has been one of those rare services that solved real problems for people every single day,” Mr Guerin said.
“It helped families connect to telehealth and education, farmers adopt new technology, small businesses keep operating and communities navigate everything from the 3G shutdown to Triple Zero outages.
“The numbers show the extraordinary reach of the program, but they do not tell the full story. Behind every enquiry was someone trying to run a business, educate their children, access essential services or simply stay connected with family and community.
“We are deeply disappointed the program was not re-funded. At a time when telecommunications technology is becoming more complex and major changes such as the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation are approaching, rural and regional Australians need independent, plain-English support more than ever.
“The Government is investing significantly in regional telecommunications infrastructure, but infrastructure alone is not enough. People still need help to understand what is available, choose the right option and make it work where they live.”
The NFF explored alternative funding streams and delivery models to continue the program. However, without a viable funding source, the direct support service could not continue.
Regional Tech Hub General Manager Kristen Coggan said wrapping up the program and farewelling its team had been incredibly difficult.
“Our team understood that connectivity in the bush is rarely simple. People do not need another generic call centre, they need someone who would listen, understand their circumstances and stay with the problem until there was a practical way forward,” Ms Coggan said.
“I am enormously proud of what our small and dedicated team achieved. Their technical expertise was second to none, but what truly set them apart was they treated every enquiry as a person, not a ticket.
“Being regionally based themselves, the team combined professionalism with genuine care, and that is why the Regional Tech Hub earned the trust of so many regional Australians.
“I want to thank every member of the Regional Tech Hub team, past and present, as well as the telecommunication providers, community organisations, councils, industry partners and regional advocates, particularly the Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR), who helped us reach people right across the country.
“Most of all, we thank the thousands of Australians who trusted us to help. It has been a privilege to support them.”
Mr Guerin also acknowledged the Australian Government’s investment in the Regional Tech Hub since its launch.
“That funding created a service that made a tangible difference to people’s lives and built a trusted source of independent connectivity advice for the bush,” Mr Guerin said.
“As the need for connectivity support has not gone away, and neither has our belief in the program, if a sustainable funding opportunity emerges in the future, the NFF welcomes the chance to bring this important service back.”
Direct Regional Tech Hub support services officially closed on 30 June 2026. Existing information and resources will shut from 31 August 2026.