VAST review

We are conducting a review of the VAST service, to assess its performance since its commencement in 2010 and to consider options on how best to provide free-to-air broadcasting services to areas without reliable access to local terrestrial TV transmissions.

The Issues Paper linked to below explains what the VAST service is and raises a number of questions for consideration by the review. The Department wants feedback on these issues from interested stakeholders. Written submissions will be accepted until COB Friday 22 June 2018.

• Media release—Regional satellite television service review
• VAST issues paper
• Terms of Reference for a review of the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service
• Viewer Access Satellite Television—fact sheet
• Viewer Access Satellite Television—how to submit to the review—fact sheet

We have completed our review into VAST in December 2018. The review concluded that the current satellite delivery model should be extended beyond June 2020.

The Government has taken the first step in implementing the recommendations of the VAST review by extending the program into 2021.

The report of the review is available from the link below, along with Minister McKenzie’s media release.

• Read the report
• Read the Minister’s media release