The Mobile Network Hardening Program – Perth Hills Round supports strengthening the resilience of mobile network communications in regional and peri-urban areas of the Perth Hills, Western Australia.

Overview

The Australian Government is providing $1.2 million (GST exclusive) for this round of the Program. The funding provides co-funding to Mobile Network Operators and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers to upgrade battery back-up power reserves to at least 20 hours and/or install Automatic Transfer Switches at up to 23 mobile telecommunications infrastructure sites in the Perth Hills. The Perth Hills Round is specifically funding projects located in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Serpentine, Jarrahdale, Armadale, Mundaring, Kalamunda, and Swan, which comprise the Perth Hills for the purposes of the Program.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for funding under the Perth Hills Round of the Program, applicants must possess an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be either a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) or a Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP).

• MNO: A company that supplies a public mobile telecommunications service within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) and holds an apparatus or a spectrum licence (or both) for the supply of public mobile telecommunications services under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth).
• MNIP: A company that provides communications infrastructure in Australia that supports the provision of public mobile telecommunications services in regional and remote Australia or the peri-urban fringe of capital and major regional cities and is used by one or more MNOs.

Funding and Benefits

The total amount available for this opportunity is $1,200,000.00 (AUD).

Application Process and Timeline

The selection process is targeted or restricted competitive. The following timeframe outlines the grant activity:

• Applications Open: 29 April 2026
• Applications Close: 17:00 AEST on 10 June 2026
• Assessment of applications: Up to 4 weeks
• Approval of outcomes of selection process: Up to 6 weeks
• Negotiations and award of grant agreements: From Quarter 3 of 2026
• Notification to unsuccessful applicants: Within 2 weeks of decision
• Earliest start of grant activity: On execution of the Grant Agreement
• End date of grant activity or agreement: As included in the Grant Agreement or by 30 March 2028

Applications must be lodged in accordance with Section 7 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. Questions regarding the opportunity should be sent no later than 3 June 2026.

Contact Information

For further inquiries, contact Karen Lindsay at MNHP@communications.gov.au. Additional information is available at .