NITV can be received direct from the Aurora satellite platform operated by Optus. Accessing NITV and other available free to air TV services from this satellite is free.

However you need special direct to home satellite television reception equipment. While not necessary for NITV, if you wish to access the correct remote commercial TV services for your area you will need to ring Optus to get your equipment enabled after obtaining this equipment.

The equipment required, where you might go to get it, how much it may cost and what you need to do to enable it to receive NITV and other free-to-air services follow:

1. What satellite equipment is needed?

You will need a satellite dish equipped with a low noise block down converter (LNB), a digital satellite decoder (the same as a set top box) and an Aurora smart card (a plastic card that looks similar to a credit or Medicare card).

Optus recommends a minimum satellite dish diameter of 90cm although homes in some areas of Australia get by with smaller dishes. In some areas of Australia, usually where there is heavy rainfall, a larger dish may be needed.

If you are renting, or live in a block of flats you will probably need the owner’s permission in order to install the satellite dish. In some areas you may need to alert the local council as well.

The decoder or set top box looks similar to pay television or digital terrestrial free-to-air television set top boxes. However you can not use pay television or digital terrestrial free-to-air set top boxes to receive Aurora satellite signals. Equally the Aurora decoder can not be used to receive pay television satellite services or digital terrestrial free to air television services.

The smart card needs to be an official Optus smart card. There have been some unofficial smart cards sold and these face difficulties as Optus regularly changes the operation of its conditional access system which is required to restrict access for certain services.

The so called Version 1 Optus smart cards, whose serial number always starts with a 0 or a 2 will need to be replaced before 2009. Only Version 5 smart cards are now being distributed by Optus and these will not have to be changed in order to continue to receive services from 2009.

If you have a Version 1 smart card this can be returned to Optus and you will receive a free Version 5 smart card in return.

2. What might this free-to-air satellite equipment cost?

Depending on the dish diameter and whether or not you install the equipment, it could cost as low as $550 or perhaps as high as $1,000.

3. What television services will I receive if I purchase this satellite equipment?

As well as the NITV service which is available to any Aurora equipped home in Australia, ABC, SBS and Westlink provide television and radio services which are available without charge nationally. If you live in the remote areas of Western Australia the commercial television services of GWN and WIN are also available. If you live in the remote areas anywhere else the commercial TV services of Imparja and Seven Central are available. To receive these commercial TV services you need to get your smart card enabled (see section 6 below).

4. How can I be sure to obtain an authorised Optus smart card?

Ask the supplier of your Aurora satellite reception equipment to verify that the smart card is an official Optus Version 5 smart card. Alternatively Optus advises that official smart cards can be obtained from the following distributors:

This list was provided by Optus and NITV is not in a position to recommend any one supplier over another. 

5. Who can I contact to get Aurora satellite reception equipment?

If you have access to the internet, you can use your favourite search engine (eg www.google.com.au) and search for something like “satellite TV”, “satellite TV equipment”, “Aurora satellite equipment”, etc. However limit the search to “Australia web pages only”.

A number of suppliers will be identified.

If you don’t have access to the internet you could talk to your local electrical retailer or television aerial installer.

NITV is not in a position to recommend any one supplier of Aurora satellite reception equipment over another.

6. What do I do to get my installed equipment enabled?

Because certain television services available from the Aurora platform are only available to restricted areas (for example GWN and WIN services are only available in Western Australia) you need to have your smart card enabled after your equipment is installed. You can do this by calling Optus on 1300 301 681 or by emailing to  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by faxing certain details to 1300 555 221. In each case you will be required to provide your smart card number, set top box model, name address and phone number where relevant. This is to ensure that you are enabled to receive the correct commercial TV services for your area.

The Optus help desk operates from 9am to 5pm eastern standard or eastern summer time Monday to Friday. 

7. What to do in the case of technical difficulties?

It is suggested that prior to contacting outside technical support you should take the following steps:

Remove and then reinsert the smart card;

Switch off the power at the wall for at least 30 seconds and then turn on again; and
Check to see if reception on Channel 1 is available. This service is operated “in the clear”,and does not require any smart card authorisation.

If no services can still be received, you should contact the organisation which sold you the satellite reception equipment, the organisation that installed it or a special distributer help line on 1300 301086

At all times you should follow any trouble shooting advice provided in the manuals for the equipment you have purchased and you should keep the warranty and the manuals in a safe place.