Phone and Internet
Tele-communications Hardship Portal
Consumer information about what you can do if you are struggling to pay your phone or internet bills. Includes service provider contact details and links to additional support resources.
Text heavy therefore is best used by financial counsellors to support community members.
Format: Online information
Language: English
Accessibility: Can increase size of text and change text and background colour themes
Content developer: Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Computer literacy ability level: Advanced
Choosing an internet plan
Resource that is helpful when choosing an internet plan for the first time or reviewing a current plan. Suggest using this resource in conjunction with comparison websites.
Print information for community members with no hardware.
Format: Online information
Language: English
Accessibility: Text size and theme can be changed
Content developer: Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Computer literacy ability level: All levels
WhistleOut
WhistleOut is a search engine for telco products such as the internet and pre- and post-paid mobile plans where community members can compare plans and choose the best deal.
Some information on the site is ‘paid for’ content.
Community members should be provided multiple comparison websites.
Format: Aggregate website
Language: English
Accessibility: –
Content developer: WhistleOut
Computer literacy ability level: All levels. Beginner may need support using this website
FREE wifi hotspots in Australia
The interactive map identifies where free wifi (wireless internet) is available.
Remind community members about being safe when using public wifi e.g. avoid using public wifi when shopping, banking or entering sensitive data online.
Format: Interactive map
Language: English
Accessibility: –
Content developer: Google My Maps
Computer literacy ability level: All levels
How to choose a smart phone
wikiHow explainer with visuals that helps clarify community members’ needs by introducing different types of phones and price points.
The information is suitable for those purchasing their first device or thinking about getting a new phone and could be used as a first step before looking at various telco providers’ offerings.
Considerable advertising on the webpage that may be distracting.
Print for community members with no hardware.
Format: Online information
Language: English
Accessibility: –
Content developer: wikiHow
Computer literacy ability level: All levels
How to use less data on your smartphone
Video and supporting downloadable document that explores how to use less data on a smartphone.
Suitable for ios (Apple) and Android users.
Format: Video (2.18 mins), downloadable WORD or PDF document and online information
Language: English
Accessibility: Text size and theme can be changed
Content developer: Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Computer literacy ability level: All levels
Your mobile
Simple information in the form of tip sheets for community members about choosing a mobile plan, using a mobile phone, pre- and post-paid and data and internet use. Other mobile tips provided too.
Format: Online information
Language: English
Accessibility: Can increase text size and change theme
Content developer: Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Computer literacy ability level: All levels
Your internet and home phone
Simple information in the form of tip sheets for community members about using a satellite for communications, connecting and using NBN, troubleshooting the NBN, and choosing an internet plan.
Format: Online information
Language: English
Accessibility: Can increase text size and change theme
Content developer: Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Computer literacy ability level: All levels
How to buy a laptop that suits your needs
Detailed information that explores all the elements that need to be considered when buying a laptop.
There are some navigation skills required to access the information.
Information in some sections is technical and some community members will require support understanding the content.
Format: Online information
Language: English
Accessibility: –
Content developer: Choice
Computer literacy ability level: All levels. Beginner-Intermediate may need support understanding some of the terminology. There is a lot of information provided that could be overwhelming
Talking Telco tips sheets
Online guides that are designed to help community members understand how to get their home or small business phone, mobile and internet connected, and how to get help if there are problems with the service.
Talking Telco also includes great tips for saving money on phone and internet services, and how to stay safe online.
Format: Online information
Language: English
Accessibility: Can increase text size and change theme
Content developer: Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Computer literacy ability level: All levels. Some beginners may need assistance finding the information they need
Copyright 2023 © Financial Counsellors’
Association of Western Australia.
FCAWA is located on land belonging to the Whadjuk Noongar people, and we recognise their connection to country. Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
