What are Telecentres?

The Western Australian Telecentre Network is a cooperative network of 113 Telecentres which provide rural and regional Western Australians with local access to information services. The network spans the expanse of the state from Kalumburu to Ravensthorpe. They are unique in Australia and provide a model for other states.

A Telecentre is a friendly local community centre equipped with high tech facilities. They are established as not-for-profit community managed facilities and they are owned by the local community in which they are located. Telecentres provide country residents with access to Internet enabled computers, two way 128kb videoconferencing, facsimile and photocopying services and a wide range of information and referral services for government agencies.

Some Telecentres also house and/or work with local businesses and services. Every Telecentre is different; some are hubs for tourism, government services and heritage programs, others house complementary small businesses such as secretarial, design or publishing services. Some Telecentres co-exist with other local groups or businesses such as a library or visitors centre.

The versatiliy of the Western Australian Telecentre network enables individual Telecentres to provide a vast range of services which not only benifit their local region but also the wider community. To find out more about Telecentres visit the WA Telecentre network site.