Best NBN deals in Australia (September 2024)

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Sometimes finding the best NBN plan that works for your household or business can be extremely difficult. Figuring out your regular monthly expenses, any initial introductory offers, sneaky hidden fees, modem charges and extra set-up costs can be particularly challenging, especially if you don't see them coming.

At Tom's Guide, we strive to give you that transparency in our round-ups of the best NBN deals available. Every month, we perform a deep dive into the best NBN plans, providers and more, so you can get the most out of your hard-earned cash, without sacrificing great service or speeds.

We compare top plans from telcos nationwide, including the big three (Optus, TPG, and Telstra) and smaller, privately owned telcos. We also investigate the different speed tiers too, so if you're constantly exceeding your NBN 100 download speeds, or want to cut back to an NBN 25 or 50 plan, there's sure to be a great deal right up your alley.

ISPs often offer a standard six-month discount for new customers, and sometimes, (yet very rare), they may offer a 12-month discount. Either way, it always pays off to shop around to find a plan that works for you.

In this comprehensive guide, we've split the best deals by NBN speed so you can easily search for your speed tier of choice. Follow the quick links below to jump ahead to the speed you're after, or learn more about choosing an NBN plan in our FAQ section.

NBN 25 deals
NBN 50 deals
NBN 100 deals
NBN 250 deals
NBN 1000 deals

Best NBN 25 deals

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Best for 1-2 person households

Flip | AU$39p/m (for 6 months, then AU$57.90)

Flip's Premium NBN 25 plan is one of the cheapest plans on the market — and it's currently got an additional discount on top. Typically costing AU$44p/m for the first 6 months, the plan has been slashed by AU$5 to just AU$39p/m, offering a massive saving of AU$18.90p/m before the price increases — that's AU$113.40 total.

With typical evening speeds of up to 25Mbps, this plan is ideal for low usage, including HD streaming for one device, social media and some online gaming. Flip was also recognised as Mozo's 2024 Broadband Provider of the Year, for providing excellent value and exceptional service.

Total minimum cost: AU$39 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$581.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$694.80

Spintel | AU$49p/m (for 6 months, then AU$59.95p/m)

Offering an AU$10.95p/m saving for the first six months, Spintel’s Entry 25 is one of the most affordable plans available right now. The telco has received some pretty positive reviews online, with customers praising quick setup times, and friendly 24/7 support.

Reaching maximum advertised speeds of 25Mbps during the typical evening hours, this plan could be a great option if you want to maximise savings. And with no lock-in contract, you can change providers if you find your service isn’t up to scratch.

Total minimum cost: AU$49 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$653.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$719.40

Mate | AU$40p/m using code MATE30 (for 6 months, then AU$70p/m)

Mate’s Crikey NBN 25 plan is a mammoth deal for an NBN 25 connection. You’ll save AU$30 a month over your first six months using the code MATE30 — that’s AU$180 — before the price increases to AU$70p/m. With no activation, exit, or plan change fees, this 25Mbps deal is an absolute steal.

And if you’re not completely satisfied with your connection, Mate will provide a full refund of your plan fee within the first month.

Total minimum cost: AU$40 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$660 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$840

Best NBN 50 deals

Perfect for up to 4 users, HD streaming and seamless video calls

Kogan | AU$58.90p/m (for 3 months, then AU$68.90p/m)

Kogan’s Silver Unlimited NBN 50 clocks in with evening speeds of 50Mbps and 17Mbps uploads, which is pretty typical across the speed tier. However, thanks to this initial discount offer, you'll save AU$10p/m over the first three months — that's AU$30 — before the price increases.

Moreover, the plan's first 12-month cost of AU$796.80 is one of the cheapest of all NBN 50 plans. Kogan also offers you its Internet Price Pledge, so if you find a better price on the same NBN plan, Kogan will give you back double the difference.

Total minimum cost: AU$58.90 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$796.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$826.80

Superloop | AU$67p/m (for 6 months, then AU$81p/m)

At the outset, Superloop's Extra-value NBN 50 introductory price is a bit inflated compared to other providers; however, the telco's ongoing cost is around the same as other providers. The slightly pricier introductory cost does make your first 12 months of Superloop’s NBN plan more expensive than the other options at this speed, but the long-term yearly cost is essentially the same, which is why it earns a spot on this list.

Superloop offers some great perks and extras that will indeed give you the most bang for your buck. Notably, Superloop customers receive five free Speed Boost days per month, which allows you to bump up your download speed to the next speed tier of 100Mbps. Any unused days roll over, and you can bank up to 30 days.

Total minimum cost: AU$67 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$888| Yearly cost after discount: AU$972

Exetel | AU$63.99p/m (for 6 months, then AU$79.99p/m)

Exetel makes our list in the NBN 50 category, and while Exetel’s Extra-value plan isn’t the cheapest NBN 50 plan around, it’s worth the sign-up for its Speed Boost feature. For five days a month, this feature allows you to boost your NBN 50 service to a 100Mbps NBN 100 service. So if there’s a 4K movie you want to watch, no interruptions are almost guaranteed.

You’ll also save AU$96 total over your first six months before the plan price increases to AU$79.99. This price has gone up a touch in recent months — it's up AU$3 for the initial outlay and up a dollar after discounts end — but this plan still provides damn good value as it's well under the monthly average of AU$82.50 for this tier.

Total minimum cost: AU$63.99 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$863.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$959.88

Best NBN 100 deals

Great choice for larger families and households with high usage

Buddy Telco | AU$75p/m (for 6 months, then AU$85p/m)

Buddy's Speedy NBN 100 plan will save you AU$10p/m for the first six months — that's AU$60 total — before the price increases to AU$85p/m. The plan promises to reach 98Mbps download speeds during busy evening hours.

This plan does come with a speed caveat, though, but it will not likely make much of a noticeable real-world difference. With that in mind, you'll save AU$60 in your first year and have a relatively low ongoing cost for an NBN 100 plan, so it's a clear winner.

Total minimum cost: AU$75 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$960 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,020

Superloop | AU$75p/m (for 6 months, then AU$89p/m)

Only costing AU$8 more than its NBN 50 counterpart (after the introductory discount ends), this Superloop plan represents pretty astonishing value. Slashing AU$14p/m off for the first six months — a saving of AU$84 — before the price increases, this plan offers some great value, considering the average for this tier is AU$91.34p/m.

Like other Superloop offerings, you can boost your plan to the next speed tier — that's 250Mbps — by using your five free Speed Boost Days every month, you’ll just need to make sure your NBN connection type will support the faster speeds. If you can support them and you like the increase in speed, you can request to change your speed tier once per month, at any time, for no extra cost until your next billing cycle.

Total minimum cost: AU$75 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$984 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,068

Spintel | AU$71p/m (for 6 months, then AU$81.95p/m)

Spintel features again in our NBN 100 category, as it offers sensational value for a low cost. Across all NBN 100 plans, the offering has the lowest first yearly price of a modest AU$917.70 and one of the cheapest ongoing costs after the introductory discount ends.

There’s little in the way of extra features with this plan – which will likely go some way to explaining the low cost – but if you’re just searching for a no-frills NBN plan to get you connected, Spintel is well worth your attention.

Total minimum cost: AU$71 | Total cost of first 12 months: AU$917.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$983.40

Dodo | AU$64.80p/m (for 6 months, then AU$88.90p/m)

Using the data provided through our partnership with WhistleOut, Dodo currently offers the cheapest and one of the most attractive NBN 100 plans, although there is a very minor catch.

Dodo's NBN 100 plan is only available for customers with FTTC, FTTP and HFC connection types. Other providers offering NBN 100 plans are available to all, including FTTN connections. But, if you do fall into the required category, you will only be paying AU$922.20 for your first 12 months.

That said, this current introductory offer slashes a mammoth AU$24.10 off the first six months — that's AU$144.60 — before the price increases. But you better act fast — this deal will fly away on July 31, 2024.

Total minimum cost: AU$64.80 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$922.20 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,066.80

Best NBN 250 deals

Perfect for gamers, streamers, and doing almost anything online

Dodo | AU$78.90p/m (for 6 months, then AU$98.90p/m)

Using the data provided through our partnership with WhistleOut, Dodo makes this list again, as it offers one of the most attractive NBN 250 plans this month. This current introductory offer slashes AU$20 off the first six months — that's AU$120 — before the price increases. But you better act fast — this deal will fly away on July 31, 2024.

Advertising 245Mbps download speeds during the busy evening hours, this plan costs only AU$53 more per year than the Spintel offering below. Like other 250Mbps plans, Dodo's NBN 250 is only available for customers with FTTP and HFC connection types.

Total minimum cost: AU$78.90 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$1,066.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,186.80

Spintel | AU$79p/m (for 6 months, then AU$89.95p/m)

Advertising 211Mbps download speeds during the typical evening hours, this Spintel deal slashes AU$10.95 off a month for the first six months — that's a saving of AU$65.70 — before the price increases to AU$89.95, which is pretty incredible value compared to other providers. Plus, it's one of the cheapest plans after the initial discount ends, priced at AU$16.60 under the monthly average of AU$106.55 for the tier.

Do note, though, that this Spintel NBN plan is only available for addresses with FTTP and HFC connections.

Total minimum cost: AU$79 | Total cost of first 12 months: AU$965.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,031.40

Superloop | AU$85p/m (for 6 months, then AU$99p/m)

Popular with gamers, Superloop’s Superfast NBN 250 plan offers you AU$14 off your first six months, making this deal hard to beat, as one of the cheapest options advertising 240Mbps typical evening speeds. While this is 10Mbps off the theoretical maximum of an NBN 250 plan — and you can find faster in Australia with Telstra, among others — you’ll need to fork out at least an extra AU$25 p/m. In our opinion, you’re unlikely to notice the drop in speed, and so the potential savings earn Superloop a spot in this list of best NBN deals.

And you also get Speed Boost days, which let you temporarily turbocharge your service to NBN 1000, with theoretical maximum speeds of 1,000Mbps (real world speeds will likely be less and Superloop itself advertises typical evening speeds of 600Mbps).

Total minimum cost: AU$85 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$1,104 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,188

Best NBN 1000 deals

It’s the fastest NBN speed available, but only for customers with a FTTP and select HFC connections.

Buddy Telco | AU$89p/m (for 3 months, then AU$99p/m)

Buddy has officially stolen SpinTel's crown as the most affordable NBN 1000 provider. Buddy Telco’s Zoomy NBN 1000 plan advertises 600Mbps downloads and 41Mbps uploads during the busy evening hours of 7pm to 11pm. Do note though, that this plan is available for HFC and FTTP addresses only.

The plan has a first-year cost of just AU$1,158, which makes it the cheapest NBN 1000 plan. And you'll save AU$22.51p/m compared to the tier's average cost of AU$121.51p/m. What a steal!

Total minimum cost: AU$89 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$1,158 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,188

Swoop | AU$119p/m using code WHISTLE20 (for 6 months, then AU$139p/m)

Advertising an eyewatering 969Mbps download speeds during the typical evening hours of 7pm to 11pm, Swoop's Home Ultrafast plan is the fastest internet available in Australia.

Swoop is pretty highly regarded by gamers, remote workers and streamers across reviews, with customers raving about speedy connection times. Do note though, that this plan is only available for FTTP addresses only.

Total minimum cost: AU$119 | Total cost of first 12 months: AU$1,548 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,668

Superloop | AU$99p/m (for 6 months, then AU$109p/m)

Offering what could perhaps be one of the best value NBN 1000 plans around is this one from Superloop. The telco recently boosted the advertised speeds, now clocking in at a massive 811Mbps during the typical busy evening hours — which is the second highest advertised on the tier.

Superloop is now ahead of speeds offered by Telstra, but you'll fork out an extra AU$912 over the first 12 months and AU$852 for each year after for Telstra’s offering.

Total minimum cost: AU$99 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$1,248 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,308

TPG | AU$104.99p/m

This NBN 1000 plan offers some pretty great value at a low cost, which is rather surprising as it stems from one of the big three telcos. Advertising maximum speeds of 671Mbps during the typical evening hours, TPG’s ultrafast plan is one of a handful that providers that reach over 650Mbps downloads. Do note though, this plan’s minimum cost is AU$214.94 as it includes the modem fee for no lock-in contracts.

Total minimum cost: AU$214.94 (including modem fee) | Total yearly cost: AU$1,259.88

Spintel | AU$95p/m (for 6 months, then AU$105.95p/m)

Spintel's newest offering has landed in the top spot for multiple users, as it boasts a massive 650Mbps — which is more than enough internet for larger households. That being said, it is on the smaller side of the NBN 1000 speed spectrum, so do take it with a grain of salt before signing up.

If you need slightly faster speeds, however, you could also consider Superloop's NBN 1000 option for a similar pricepoint and 811Mbps advertised speeds.

Total minimum cost: AU$95 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$1,205.70 |Total yearly cost: AU$1,271.40

NBN FAQ

What NBN do I have?

If you’re unsure what type of NBN connection you have, there's two ways of checking. You can check your address on the NBN Co website, or go to any telco’s NBN page, where you’ll be prompted to enter your address to see what’s available to you.

The important thing to note is that the connection type that is available at your address is largely out of your control. NBN Co has announced it is upgrading select suburbs in the network to full fibre – you can find a list of the announced suburbs here.

Does NBN need a special modem?

You will need a compatible modem to connect to the NBN, and your NBN provider can provide this to you. It often comes at an additional upfront cost, while other telcos will let you keep the modem for free if you stay connected for a predetermined amount of time. Many internet providers will also allow you to bring your own modem to the service, but we recommend checking compatibility with your chosen provider when you first sign up.

Are NBN plans unlimited?

The vast majority of NBN plans do come with unlimited data, though there are some occasional exceptions. In these cases, telcos should clearly signpost when specific NBN plans come with a capped amount of data, so do read thoroughly before signing up. With competitive pricing in all speed tiers, unlimited data NBN plans offer far better value for money for most people, so only choose a capped plan if you’re certain it meets your needs.

What NBN speed should I get?

Deciding what NBN speed you want can be tricky, but the answer largely depends on how many people are living in your household, and what their level of usage is. Here, we break down each NBN speed tier:

NBN 12 (Basic 1):

An NBN 12 plan will only get you 12Mbps of download speed and 1Mbps of upload. In general, we wouldn’t recommend signing up to this tier unless you’re only using it for email and light browsing – streaming will struggle.

NBN 25 (Basic II):

The NBN 25 tier gets you 25Mbps of download and 5Mbps of upload. It’ll suit a one- or two-person household best, and will allow you to use the internet at the same time, and stream video in HD.

NBN 50 (Standard):

An NBN 50 plan provides up to 50Mbps download and 20Mbps upload, and is best for households with 2 to 4 users. Its download speed will allow multiple people to stream in HD at the same time, play games online and have smooth video calls.

NBN 100 (Fast):

You’ll often see these plans referred to as either NBN 100/20 or NBN 100/40, and that’s because they have download speeds of up to 100Mbps, and an upload speed of either 20Mbps or 40Mbps, depending on the plan. They suit large households best, with room for five or more people, some 4K streaming, online gaming and big file downloads.

NBN 250 (Superfast):

With downloads speeds of up to 250Mbps and upload speeds of 25Mbps, an NBN 250 plan will allow you to do almost anything online, such as streaming multiple videos in 4K, downloading large files faster and online gaming without lag. Do note though, only fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) connections can sign up.

NBN 1000 (Ultrafast):

The NBN 1000 tier is the fastest consumer speed available, coming with downloads of up to 1000Mbps, and uploads of up to 50Mbps. Among the few telcos who offer these plans, there’s quite a difference in typical evening speed: Swoop has the highest at 969Mbps, while other providers range between 600Mbps and 850Mbps. Again, this speed is only available to those with FTTP and select HFC connections.

How do I test my NBN speed?

Before you start an NBN speed test, check your plan so you know what speed you should be getting. Once you’re connected to the Wi-Fi network you want to test, go to the website Speedtest, or click the 'start test' button below to have Measurement Lab run a diagnostic.

The test should take no longer than a minute, and once you’ve got your results, compare them to your plan’s advertised download and upload speeds. Don’t worry if it’s not an exact match, but you will want your plan to be close to reaching, or exceeding its reported speeds.

Some external factors such as your NBN connection type can affect the result. For example, if you have a fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) connection, your homes’ distance from the node could play a part in poorer results, particularly if your address is more than 400 metres away from it. Your distance from your home’s modem can also be a factor – you’ll want it to be close to get the best result.

If you find that your plan’s NBN speed isn’t up to scratch, your first port of call should be your NBN provider. Get in touch with your provider’s customer service team to raise your concerns, and if they’re unable to help, consider switching to a different service provider.

Which NBN provider is best?

The best NBN provider for you will vary with your needs, but we recommend Spintel as the best NBN provider for most people. Over half of all NBN connections are on an NBN 50 plan, and with this in mind, we’re choosing Spintel because it has the best-value option in the popular tier. If you want to learn more, our colleagues at TechRadar have a dedicated guide to the best NBN provider.

Is NBN 5G?

No, the national broadband network (NBN) and 5G are two separate technology types, though both allow you to connect to the internet. The NBN is government-owned infrastructure that has been rolled out across the country by NBN Co. It uses fibre, and existing copper wire, to connect homes to the NBN. For more rural and remote areas of Australia, NBN Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster satellite are used.

5G infrastructure is owned by the telcos, primarily Telstra and Optus. 5G home internet offers another way for Australians to connect to the internet, though its availability is far behind that of the NBN, with 5G coverage being best in the capital cities. Rather than using fibre or copper to connect you to the internet, 5G connects you over a wireless network.

How can I check for NBN outages?

If your internet isn’t working, you’ll first want to figure out whether it’s just your household experiencing a problem, or if there’s a wider NBN network outage. You can figure this out by going to your internet provider’s service status page, or check NBN Co to see if network maintenance or outages have been reported. You can also check the independent website Down Detector. For more help, see our sister site TechRadar’s comprehensive guide to NBN outages.

Lucy Scotting is a digital content writer for Tom’s Guide in Australia, primarily covering NBN and internet-related news. Lucy started her career writing for HR and staffing industry publications, with articles covering emerging tech, business and finance. In her spare time, Lucy can be found watching sci-fi movies, working on her dystopian fiction novel or hanging out with her dog, Fletcher.