Telstra funds a number of programs under Access for Everyone which are distributed through Community Agencies. These programs are designed to address the telecommunications needs of people on low incomes and those facing financial hardship or disadvantage.
The following Access for Everyone programs are only available for distribution by Community Agencies.
MessageBox
Telstra MessageBox is a messaging service that helps people such as jobseekers, the homeless, itinerate customers, or those in a crisis situation, who don't have a working or secure phone, keep in touch with their families, friends and carers. You can set up your own personal message box so that you can receive voice messages throughout Australia. Messages can be retrieved for free from most Telstra fixed home, business or public payphone services.
How does an agency join the Telstra MessageBox Program?
Community agencies are invited to join the MessageBox Program, by signing and returning the attached MessageBox agency agreement and guidelines.
How does an agency order more MessageBox cards or materials?
Please print off the order form and return this via the instructions on the form.
Telstra Bill Assistance Program
The Telstra Bill Assistance Program is aimed at assisting people who are experiencing financial difficulty and are having a problem paying their Telstra bill. Participating community agencies are able to provide clients with a Telstra Bill Assistance Certificate of a fixed amount to pay towards their Telstra bill. Telstra funds the program and participating Community Agencies distribute the program on Telstra's behalf.
How does an agency join the Telstra Bill Assistance Program?
Community Agencies need to meet the following criteria:
- directly receive Commonwealth and / or State emergency relief funding and/or provide material aid/ financial cash relief assistance as a normal part of their operation based on a careful assessment of client needs
- are an incorporated not-for-profit body.
Community Agencies are invited to apply to participate in the Telstra Bill Assistance Program by contacting the lead administrative Community Agency in your State.
How does an agency order more pre-paid envelopes?
Please print off the order form and return this via the instructions on the form.
Telstra Phonecard™/PhoneAway® Card Assistance Program
The Telstra Phonecard™/PhoneAway® Card Assistance Program is aimed at assisting Australians on low incomes who rely on public payphones for their communications or who don't have access to a working phone. The cards provides eligible people, including people who are homeless or transient, experiencing financial hardship or are in a crisis situation, with access to a Telstra Phonecard or PhoneAway card (each a "Pre-paid Calling Card"). Telstra funds the card program and participating Community Agencies distribute the cards on our behalf.
How does an agency join the Telstra Phonecard™/PhoneAway® Card Assistance Program?
Community agencies can apply to join the Telstra Phonecard™/PhoneAway® Card Assistance Program by signing and returning the attached agency agreement.
How does an agency order more Phonecards/PhoneAway cards?
If you are already a program member, please email your request to consumer.affairs@team.telstra.com (include full contact details and courier address for delivery) or fill out the below order form and fax your request to FREEFAX™ 1800 659 416.
Telstra Sponsored Access Program
The Sponsored Access Program aims to provide a secure phone service in short term crisis accommodation properties for people in crisis who seek emergency shelter.
Eligible organisations can apply for a Sponsored Access service which allows incoming calls (except reverse charge calls). Outgoing calls are restricted to triple zero (000) and Telstra service and faults. You may also be able to call some of the services set out in the ‘Advice and Assistance’ section at the front of your local White Pages® directory, if they are free-to-call numbers. Other outgoing calls can be made using a Telstra PhoneAway® card.
Who can apply?
Charities or not-for-profit community organisations who provide short term crisis accommodation which are funded by the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement’s Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP) - Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).
Owners of properties which are funded by CAP can apply to Telstra for one Sponsored Access service per property. The service will be connected in the name of the organisation that owns or manages the property, not in the names of individual clients residing at the property. As part of the Sponsored Access program, the Sponsored Access service may, upon request, be implemented as a silent line, free of charge (connection charges may apply).
How does an agency connect/modify/cancel a Sponsored Access service?
The community organisation responsible for the CAP property can apply for a maximum of one Sponsored Access Service per property, by completing the Sponsored Access Enquiry Form.
