What are self help services?

Communities that do not yet receive SBS or do not receive adequate broadcast signals can establish their own retransmission facilities for the broadcast of SBS and other television and radio services in their area. These services, known as self-help services, are owned and operated by local communities, mostly in regional and remote areas of Australia. To date, more than 82 communities have chosen to fund their own local television transmitter to deliver digital TV services under such an arrangement and also several analog radio FM services around Australia.

Setting up a self-help service is a relatively low-cost way by which communities can own and operate their own local transmitter. SBS operates a Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme to provide financial assistance to eligible communities to set up such facilities for SBS TV and Radio services. Find out more on the SBS Transmission website.