The news follows a similar agreement between Optus and the Australian Olympic Committee - which was signed in December.

As part of the Paralympic deal, world champion Para-cyclist Matthew Formston will become an official ambassador for the 'Relentless Improvement' campaign.

The blind athlete, a Paralympic hopeful for Rio 2016 in tandem road and track events, is an employee of Optus Business.

The deal will cover the Rio Games as well as Pyeongchang 2018, Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and the 2024 and 2026 Olympics in yet to be determined hosts.

Lynne Anderson, chief executive of the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC), said: "We are extremely honoured to have Optus join us on our road to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and beyond.

"We are especially proud to have such a positive affirmation of the increasing profile and importance of Paralympic sport with this long term partnership.

“Both the APC and Australia’s Paralympic athletes are looking forward to working with such an innovative brand over the next ten years, to not only share our moments of gold, but to collaborate and relentlessly improve to become the best we can be and make our country proud.”

Optus will be given access to a "comprehensive sponsorship" package which includes the partner recognition programme, Paralympic themed promotions, branded merchandise, VIP events, Paralympic tickets and hospitality and licensed product opportunities.

Ben White, acting managing director of product and marketing at Optus, said: “Partnering with the Australian Paralympic Committee for the next ten years complements our existing partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee, and confirms us as the official support network of Australia’s contingent of elite athletes in Rio 2016."