Melbourne will be the last area to switch off analogue television permanently under the proposed switchover plan for 2013 announced today.

Senator Stephen Conroy, the communications minister, announced the proposed dates for the switchover of the capital cities and Tasmania, starting in April next year and finishing on 10 December:

• Adelaide - 2 April 2013
• Tasmania - 9 April 2013
• Perth - 16 April 2013
• Brisbane (incl. Sunshine and Gold Coasts) - 28 May 2013
• Darwin - 30 July 2013
• Sydney (incl. Central Coast) - 3 December 2013
• Melbourne - 10 December 2013

Senator Conroy has also requested that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) set switchover dates for the two remote regions, Western Australia and Central/Eastern Australia, in June and December respectively.

That follows the passage of legislation last week that removes the restriction on accessing Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) to six months prior to the switchover date. The legislation change will also allow Australian external territories to access the VAST service.

Northern NSW will be the next area to move to digital television, making the switch in late November.