New consumer protection, greater transparency and lower wholesale prices are delivering an improved experience for users on the National Broadband Network (NBN).
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released new rules to stop the handballing of complaints between telcos and nbn, giving the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman better tools to help resolve complaints.
The ACMA will also issue new requirements for retailers to publicly release complaints statistics to help consumers differentiate between retailers based on the quality of their customer service.
The NBN is being rolled out at such a rapid pace that around 30,000 homes and businesses are making the switch every week, and 3.6 million are already connected. While the overwhelming majority of users have a smooth migration onto the NBN, we want to ensure the ACMA is a strong cop-on-the-beat, armed to protect consumers from the handballing of complaints.
The new ACMA rules follow the announcement of a new NBN monthly customer experience progress report.
The first report showed 89 per cent of NBN installs are done ‘right first time’, 92 per cent of installations are completed on time, and 85 per cent of faults are repaired on time.
Supporting ex-service organisations
Applications are now open for the Building Excellence in Support and Training grants and Grants-in-Aid for ex-service organisations.
These grants help ex-service organisations provide vital advocacy services for current and former serving men and women which help veterans with their compensation claims and also ensure they get correct access to entitlements and services. Applications for both programs close Thursday April 19.
For information about how to apply visit Community Grants Hub website: www.communitygrants.gov.au or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website: www.dva.gov.au.
Apprenticeship growth
The latest report on the number of apprentices and trainees currently in training provides encouraging signs, and confirms the need for the full implementation of the Nationals-Liberal Government’s strategy to boost Vocational Education and Training.
Figures released by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research found there are 261,900 apprentices and trainees in training, as at 30 September 2017.
Positive signs are continuing to emerge: Commencements of trade apprenticeships increased by 4.2 per cent in the September quarter, the number of construction trades workers in training jumped by three per cent, and machinery operators and drivers increased by nearly 18 per cent.
