'We were in dire straits': new internet for remote island with fewer than 100 people

Mr Rushton is the post office licensee for Cape Barren Island, a large island in Bass Strait off the northeast coast of Tasmania, with a population of about 80 to 100 people.

The internet could be down for days.

"There was one episode there where we were down for two weeks.

"We were in dire straits if the system failed," Mr Rushton said.

Like all local post offices around the country, Cape Barren offers banking services that residents rely on.

But with the new Starlink system, they have not had a problem in months.

"It's been a major development," he said.

Australia Post and Telstra have partnered to deliver satellite-based internet to 270 post offices in the country's most far-flung places.

The move makes Australia Post the first major organisation to adopt Telstra Starlink Enterprise Internet on a national level.

It took two planes, a boat, a car and a truck to transport a Starlink satellite kit to the remote island.

It now sits on the post office rooftop, linking to Starlink satellites orbiting in space.

"We've had a really good response from our customers because of the problems we have had in the past," he said.

Post's executive general manager for retail Josh Bannister said the upgrade was supporting post offices to provide essential services for rural and remote communities.

"Australia Post has the largest nationwide retail network with more than 4,000 post offices located in every corner of the country," he said.

"This upgrade is a game-changer for remote locations and just one way we are investing in programs and technology that benefit customers no matter where they live," Mr Bannister said.

Telstra Starlink Internet plans were first launched in late 2023.