NBN subcontractors walk off the job for 24 hrs

The network’s technicians suspended services for 24 hours, rallying outside the NBN Co head office in North Sydney over new contracts rolled out by Ventia and the recent changes to installation requirements.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from NBN Co, which was received post-publication.

On Wednesday morning (23 April), NBN subcontractors under the Communication Workers Union (CWU) gathered outside NBN Co headquarters on Mount Street in North Sydney. “NBN subcontractors are fed up after new contracts rolled out through NBN’s delivery partner, Ventia, have cut payments for certain tasks compared with 2024/2025,” said Shane Murphy, national secretary at CWU.

An NBN Co spokesperson told HR Leader that its customers have experienced minimal disruption, and the NBN network continues to operate as normal.

Murphy stressed that the reduction in rates and the rising fuel costs have left subcontractors struggling to make ends meet, and they have taken their concerns directly to the head office.

“We remain ready to resolve this dispute with NBN Co and Ventia,” said Murphy.

"We engage two primary delivery partners to fulfil certain construction, upgrade and maintenance programs. These delivery partners directly engage contractors and subcontractors and are responsible for setting pay arrangements and managing their day-to-day workforce matters," the NBN Co spokesperson said.

At the rally, protesters yelled, “Shame NBN shame,” “Who builds the network – we do”, “We want fair work”, as CWU national assistant secretary James Perkins led the calls on a megaphone.

HR Leader spoke with one of the protesters, who said that pay rates had changed for only a few roles in the past 18 months.

NBN Co's spokesperson said the company recognises the impact of rising fuel costs on its workforce and that it has fuel relief arrangements in place to support subcontractors.

“If you see the current situation regarding the fuel cost and everything, the inflation, they are not matching as per [sic] the work we are performing on the field [sic]. So that’s the main thing we guys are protesting here,” the protester said.

In addition, the protester said subcontractors only get one or two hours of work a day despite committing to an eight-hour workday with the network.

“If there is no work, they ask us [to just] wait for work. So we have to wait in [our] vans ... We are not taxi drivers, we are technicians,” the protester told HR Leader.

Murphy added that new installation requirements announced to subcontractors last week by NBN Co have led to lower-quality outcomes for homes and businesses.

NBN Co told HR Leader that there have been no changes to NBN's deployment or installation standards. "All work must continue to meet strict quality, safety and performance requirements to ensure reliable outcomes for Australian homes and businesses," the spokesperson said.

Despite this, Murphy said: “Subcontractors [are] now directed to attach NBN fibre cables directly to the exterior walls of the customer premises rather than installing them within protective conduit."

“This is simply further penny pinching by NBN Co, stripping further earnings from the pockets of its workforce whilst eroding the quality of NBN installations to homes and businesses,” he added.

Murphy said: “Our members are holding NBN Co executives accountable – this isn’t good enough … NBN subcontractors deserve better.”