Best NBN Plans | See NBN Offers, Providers & Deals for Each Speed

What is NBN 12?

NBN 12, also known as NBN Basic is, well, the most basic NBN speed tier.

As the entry-level plan, NBN 12 provides a maximum download speed of 12Mbps and a maximum upload speed of 1Mbps. These speeds are comparable to the old ADSL connections technology that once served many Australian households. While NBN 12 can handle basic online activities, it may not be sufficient for more demanding tasks such as HD streaming or large file uploads.

Most NBN 12 plans (as with most NBN plans overall) come with unlimited data. However, if you're looking to keep your broadband budget especially low, you can find NBN 12 plans for as little as $30 per month with limited data caps.

What Can NBN 12 be Used For?

In all honesty, NBN 12 plans can’t be used for much these days but if you’re someone who doesn’t really use the internet then NBN 12 might be perfect for you.

With NBN 12 you can:

• Stream one Standard Definition video
• Check emails
• Browse social media
• Connect one or two devices

Typical Evening Speeds for NBN 12 Plans

When comparing broadband plans, you’ve probably noticed most NBN providers advertise their “Typical Evening Speed” alongside their NBN plans.

With NBN 12 plans, most providers advertise their typical evening speed as 12Mbps, though some advertise 11Mbps or less. At this speed tier, you’ll probably want to choose a provider that promises a full 12Mbps to ensure you can still access the internet during these peak hours.

Is NBN 12 Right for Me?

With download speeds of 12Mbps and only 1Mbps upload speed, NBN 12 is best if you live alone, or with one other person, and are a light internet user with limited smart devices.

If you’re trying to decide if NBN Basic is best for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you live alone or with one other person?
• Are you a household with few WIFI-enabled devices (i.e.: Only one computer and one phone)?
• Do you only use the internet to check your emails or browse social media?
• Do you usually use the internet outside of your home (for example, at work)?
• Are you looking to keep your broadband costs low?

If you answered yes to these questions, NBN 12 might be a good choice for you. Give our friendly Broadband Experts a call to get yourself set up with a new NBN 12 plan, or let us help you find the best NBN plan for your family.

What is NBN 25?

NBN 25 is the first real step up in terms of download speeds when compared to the old ADSL connections.

An NBN 25 plan has the ability to reach maximum speeds of 25Mbps download speed and maximum upload speeds of 5Mbps though these are not always achievable and some providers’ “Typical Evening Speed” can be far less than a full 25Mbps.

What Can NBN 25 Be Used For?

NBN Standard Speed is a great NBN speed tier for small, low-to-medium internet user households.

If your NBN 25 plan is working at full speed, with 25Mbps download speeds and 5Mbps upload speeds, you should be able to:

• Stream one show in HD if no other devices are connected to the network
• Visit most websites with zero loading wait time
• Play most online games in Standard Definition with no lag

Of course, it’s important to note that your NBN 25 plan might not be able to reach a full 25Mbps download speed particularly during busy evening hours, and the more devices you have connected to your network at one time the slower your download times will be.

Typical Evening Speeds for NBN 25 Plans

While 25Mbps is the maximum download speed for NBN Standard plans, you’ve probably noticed that most broadband providers advertise their “Typical Evening Speed”

Most NBN 25 plans Typical Evening Speed is between 19Mbps and 25Mbps.

Is NBN 25 Right for Me?

With maximum achievable download speeds of 25Mbps and upload speeds of 5Mbps, NBN 25 is generally seen as a good starting point for households of 1-2 light-to-moderate internet users, and as one of the cheapest NBN speed tiers, you won’t break the bank by signing up for an NBN 25 broadband plan.

If you’re trying to decide if NBN 25 is the right speed tier for you, consider your typical internet habits and the number of devices you have connected to the network at any one time.

Questions to ask yourself when comparing NBN 25 plans should include:

• Do you frequently have multiple devices connected at one time? This includes phones, computers, televisions, smart home systems, and more.
• Do you have many people using multiple devices at once? Are people working and studying from home at the same time?
• Is it important to watch Netflix or game online in 4K/Ultra HD or is standard definition enough?
• Do you frequently upload large files?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, NBN 25 might not be quite enough for you. However, for smaller households of light-to-moderate internet users who want to save on their monthly broadband bill, NBN 25 can be the perfect speed tier.

How Fast is NBN 50?

NBN 50 is seen as a big jump from the old ADSL connections and can handle most typical households with multiple people and devices.

An NBN 50 plan has the ability to reach maximum download speeds of 50Mbps, and maximum upload speeds of 20Mbps. However, thanks to what’s known as “Typical Evening Speed” this might not always be the case.

What Can NBN 50 be Used For?

As a big step up from NBN 25, NBN 50 plans allow most people to do most things online.

With your NBN 50 plan, you will be able to:

• Easily stream in HD, and potentially even 4K
• Game online in HD
• Browse social media
• Work from home
• Use multiple devices at once
• Upload large files and videos

Of course, this varies depending on your household and provider. If you have multiple heavy internet users on one network (for example two parents who work from home, and two kids who game online frequently while also watching Netflix, streaming music, or using their phones) NBN 50 might not be fast enough for you.

Typical Evening Speeds for NBN 50 Plans

NBN 50 plans have a maximum download speed of 50Mbps, but oftentimes (more often than not) your plan won’t reach these maximum speeds.

Most NBN 50 plans Typical Evening Speed is between 40Mbps and 50Mbps, though some providers advertise speeds as low as 38Mbps.

Is NBN 50 Right for Me?

As far as NBN speeds are concerned, NBN 50 is arguably one of the best NBN plans for medium-sized households who don’t want to be fighting over bandwidth, without paying a steep price for one of the faster NBN speed tiers. As a result, NBN 50 plans have become some of the most popular NBN plans around.

If you’re trying to decide if NBN 50 is the right plan speed for you, it’s best to consider your typical internet habits and the number of people and devices connected to your network at any one time.

To find out if NBN 50 is right for you, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Are you a medium-sized household of two or more people?
• Do you like to watch Netflix, game online, or stream videos?
• Do you work from home?
• Do you like to use multiple devices at once?
• Do you frequently upload large files or videos?
• Are you looking for a good value for your money?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, give our friendly Broadband Experts a call to get your household set up with NBN 50 today or let us help you find the perfect NBN speed for your family.

What is NBN 100?

NBN 100 is the fastest standard speed tier available on the National Broadband Network, and a big jump from the more budget-friendly NBN 25 and NBN 50 plans.

NBN 100 plans have a maximum theoretical download speed of 100Mbps and are a comfortable NBN speed tier for most larger households and heavy internet users. 

When it comes to NBN 100 plans, you can find two different upload speeds:

• NBN 100/20: Maximum upload speeds of 20Mbps
• NBN 100/40: Maximum upload speeds of 40Mbps

If you're a large household that mostly streams, or watches videos online, NBN 100/20 is probably enough. However, households where people frequently upload large files, stream online, or upload to You tube might find NBN 100/40 plans a better option. It's important to note that NBN 100/20 plans generally cost a bit less than NBN 100/40 plans. 

What Can NBN 100 be Used For?

NBN 100/40 plans are a great choice for people who frequently use the internet to download and upload large files, or for large families with multiple heavy internet users. With an NBN 100/40 plan, you can quickly download and upload large files. This includes:

• Stream in Ultra HD/4K
• Responsive online gaming in HD
• Upload large files such as You tube videos
• Work from home

However, if you're not frequently video-conferencing, uploading files, or using You tube or Twitch, NBN 100/20 is an equally good choice for large households. 

NBN 100 Plans Typical Evening Speed

While NBN 100 can achieve a maximum download speed of 100Mbps, this might not always be the speed your plan can reach. This is known as “Typical Evening Speed” and refers to the busiest evening hours when demand on the network is at its highest. When this occurs, your own NBN speeds might be reduced.

Is NBN 100 Right for Me?

Choosing the right NBN speed tier is important - too slow and your household is fighting over bandwidth, but too fast and you’re paying for more broadband than you actually need.

NBN 100 plans are best for larger families or households, with multiple heavy internet users.

If you’re trying to decide if NBN 100 is right for you, consider the following questions:

• Do you live in a household of 3 or more people with multiple connected devices?
• Are you or someone in your household a YouTuber, Twitch streamer, or online gamer?
• Is your household frequently streaming Netflix or other videos in multiple rooms at the same time?
• Do you want to make sure you’re streaming in Ultra HD/4K quality?
• Are multiple people in your household working or studying from home, with video conferencing?
• Do you frequently work with large files?

If you’ve answered yes to most of these questions give our friendly Broadband Team a call to get set up with a new NBN 100 plan or, if you need some more advice, give us a call to discuss which NBN speed is best for your household.

What is NBN 250?

NBN 250, also known as NBN Superfast or NBN Home Superfast, is one of the fastest speed tiers available on the National Broadband Network.

While standard NBN speeds include 12Mbps, up to 100Mbps, NBN Superfast more than doubles this, giving certain residential NBN customers the ability to reach download speeds of up to 250Mbps.

• To Accurately Compare NBN 250 Plans, There are Some Important Factors to Consider, Including:
• How fast is NBN 250, and if it meets your needs
• Things you can do with an NBN 250 plan
• What typical evening speeds to look for when comparing providers
• A full list of NBN 250 plans currently on the market

How Fast is NBN Superfast?

NBN Superfast, as the name suggests, is super fast.

NBN Superfast plans can reach maximum download speeds of up to 250Mbps, and usually offers maximum upload speeds of 25Mbps. This makes it a great choice for internet-heavy households, where multiple members might want to stream Netflix, play video games online, work from home with video conferences, and listen to music across multiple devices at the same time.

What Can NBN Superfast Be Used For?

Having an NBN 250 plan means you can download almost anything at lightning-fast speeds.

At its maximum potential, an NBN Superfast plan can allow your household to:

• Download a 100GB file in just under an hour
• Download 100MB file in under 5 seconds
• Game online in 4K/HD Ultra seamlessly
• Stream, game, and video chat across multiple devices simultaneously

Of course, there are some factors that could influence exactly how fast your NBN 250 plan allows you to download, such as your ISPs “Typical Evening Speed”.

NBN 250 Plans Typical Evening Speed

It’s important to remember that NBN 250 plans only have a maximum potential download speed of 250Mbps.

When it comes to NBN 250, most providers’ typical evening speeds are between 215Mbps and 240Mbps. The good news? With such fast download speeds, you probably won’t notice much of a slowdown during these peak busy hours and will be able to stream, upload, browse, watch, game, and scroll without much problem.

Can I Get NBN 250?

NBN 250 is only available at certain NBN connections. If you have a Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) connection or HFC connection at your home, then you’re probably eligible for NBN Superfast.

This is due to the NBN technology currently being used across the country. Other NBN connections, such as Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) or Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC), are simply unable to handle such fast broadband speeds as they still utilize some of the old copper telephone wires ADSL broadband once used.

With the National Broadband Network rolled out across most of the country, NBN Co is now working to upgrade these slower NBN connections. However, if you absolutely cannot wait for an upgrade to FTTP, you can apply for an upgrade (either on your own or as a group switch) though this can cost well over $10,000 and take more than 6 months to complete.

Looking for an NBN Alternative? Compare 4G and 5G Home Wireless Broadband Plans

Is NBN Superfast Right for Me?

NBN 250 plans are the second-fastest NBN speed tier available and, as one of the most expensive plan options, might not be for everyone. While NBN Superfast is a great choice for heavy internet users, if you’re not one then NBN 250 is generally unnecessarily expensive.

If you’re considering NBN 250, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have an FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premise) or HFC connection?
• Do you live in a large household, multi-family household, or share house?
• Do you frequently download and upload large files?
• Are you an intense online gamer or have multiple household members who game online?
• Do you have an online business based in your home?
• Do multiple people in your household work or study from home?
• Is your NBN 100 plan not quite enough, particularly during busy evening hours?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, give our friendly Broadband Experts a call to get your household signed up to an NBN Superfast plan today or let us help you find the perfect NBN plan for your internet habits and household.

Note About NBN 250 Upload Speeds While NBN 250 has faster download speeds, NBN 100/40 offers faster upload speeds. If you’re frequently uploading large files or frequently live stream (such as Twitch, Skype, or You tube) NBN 100/40 might be a better option for you.

What is NBN 1000?

NBN 1000 is the fastest NBN speed tier available in the country.

Also known as NBN Home Ultrafast, NBN Ultrafast, or Gigabit NBN, NBN Ultrafast is capable of reaching maximum download speeds of 1000Mbps (equal to one whole gigabit).

While NBN Ultrafast is the fastest NBN speed tier available, it’s also the most expensive, and only available at certain NBN connections, so it’s definitely not for everyone!

What's the Difference Between NBN 1000 and NBN Ultrafast? NBN 1000 and NBN Ultrafast are both names for the same NBN speed tier, which can reach maximum theoretical speeds of up to 1000Mbps. This is also known as Gigabit NBN, or NBN Home Ultrafast.

How Fast is NBN 1000?

NBN Ultrafast offers a maximum theoretical download speed of 1000Mbps (1Gbps, giving it the name Gigabit NBN), and a maximum upload speed of up to 50Mbps.

However, not every NBN provider that offers NBN Home Ultrafast advertises these speeds. NBN 1000 is the most varied of NBN speed tiers, with providers offering anywhere from 250Mbps maximum download speeds, up to 700Mbps maximum download speeds. This makes it all the more important to compare NBN plans, so you can ensure you’re getting the best plan for your household needs.

What Can Gigabit NBN be Used For?

NBN Ultrafast, with its full gigabit maximum download speed, can be used for almost anything.

At its maximum download speed, NBN 1000 can:

• Download Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War (164.9GB) in just under 22 minutes
• Download Red (Taylor's Version) in under 2 minutes
• Download an episode of a TV show in 1080p in under a minute

The long story short is for most downloads, you’ll be able to watch or listen in under a minute, and play a massive video game in less than half an hour. For audiophiles, movie buffs, and intense gamers, this could be a game-changer.

NBN 1000 Plans Typical Evening Speed

While the maximum theoretical download speed of NBN Ultrafast is 1000Mbps, this doesn’t mean you will always achieve 1000Mbps download speeds.

It’s important to note that when it comes to NBN Ultrafast plans, this speed tier is quite new and not all providers are capable of providing an accurate typical evening speed. In addition, some providers offer NBN Ultrafast plans, but their maximum speed might not be a full 1000Mbps.

If you’re a household with NBN Ultrafast, you can generally expect a typical evening speed between 215Mbps and 250Mbps, though some providers advertise download speeds of up to 700Mbps.

The good news is at this speed tier, unless you’re using your broadband network to frequently download and upload multiple massive files, you probably won’t notice much of a difference between peak and off-peak speeds.

Can I Get Gigabit NBN?

NBN 1000 is only available at certain types of NBN connections.

Not every home has the same type of NBN connection, and not every connection is capable of achieving high-speed broadband such as NBN Ultrafast. However, If your home has a Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) or Hybrid-Coaxial Fibre connection, then you’re probably eligible for NBN Ultrafast.

Due to the use of mixed broadband technologies in Australia other NBN connections such as Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) or Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC), which still utilize some of the old copper telephone wires from the antiquated ADSL connections, cannot handle such fast download speeds.

With the National Broadband Network rolled out across most of the country, however, NBN Co is working to now upgrade these slower connections.

If you absolutely cannot wait for NBN Co to upgrade your current NBN connection, and get NBN 1000, it is possible to apply for an upgrade either on your own or as a group switch with neighbors. It should be noted, though, that this can easily cost you well over $10,000 for the upgrade and can take more than 6 months to complete.

Is NBN Home Ultrafast Right for Me?

As the fastest NBN speed tier currently available, and also the most expensive, NBN 1000 is not for everyone.

Most households, even large households, will find that other speed tiers such as NBN 50, NBN 100, or NBN Superfast, are perfectly suitable for their day-to-day internet habits.

If you’re considering whether gigabit NBN is right for you, you need to ask yourself some of the following questions about your internet habits and household:

• Do you have an FTTN or HFC connection?
• Is your monthly broadband budget not an issue?
• Do multiple people work from home?
• Do you or your roommates game or stream online, professionally?
• Have you already tried NBN 100 and NBN Superfast and neither was quite fast enough?
• Do you have a small, home-based, online business and need a reliable internet connection?
• Do you want the fastest download speeds available?

If you answered yes to these questions, call our friendly Broadband Experts and get your household set up with an NBN 1000 plan today, or let us help you find the perfect NBN speed tier for you, today.

The best internet provider in Australia depends on what kind of internet you are interested in, whether it's an NBN plan or a home wireless plan. It’s important to consider your internet needs, so you’re not stuck with an internet plan that leaves you feeling frustrated. When comparing the best internet providers, it’s important to also consider factors such as customer service, discounts, contracts, and price. The most popular providers in Australia are Aussie Broadband, Telstra, Optus, Tangerine, Mate, Kogan, Skymesh, Southern Phone and Vodafone. It is recommended to research and read reviews from other customers to make an informed decision before signing up for a new internet plan. The goal is to find the right balance between price and quality that works best for your needs.

If you are looking for the fastest internet plan, you are better off choosing one of the providers who have the highest percentage of speed reached. This will ensure you are getting the speeds you pay for. NBN 1000, or NBN Ultrafast, is the fastest available NBN speed tier and is one of the newest technologies on the market.

While NBN Ultrafast has maximum potential speeds of up to 1000Mbps, due to its novelty, most connections can’t handle these speeds yet. However, the rollout is in progress, and for households who need such broadband speeds, more NBN 1000 plans regularly come available. For now, NBN Ultrafast is the best choice for the fastest internet plans. We have ranked Superloop as the best ultrafast NBN option in our list of the best and cheapest NBN plans for how much speed you get in relation to price, with average evening speeds reaching up to 600Mbps.

We recommend choosing what is best for you, but the best NBN plan for an NBN superfast connection is with Vodafone if you have your own modem.

Vodafone is known to run between 95.7% and 99.3% speed accuracy. The Vodafone Home superfast NBN plan clocks in at around 450mbps and starts at $100 per month for the first 12 months (only for customers with an existing phone plan), then it increases to $110 / month. Customers without an existing Vodafone plan can expect to pay $115 per month for 12 months, then $125 per month. This price is higher than some of the others on the list. However, with Vodafone, you also get around 200mbps more than with the other providers.

Choosing the best NBN plan for a family is relatively straightforward. Households of 3 or more, with kids who probably like to stream Netflix or YouTube, play games online, and maybe even study and go to school online, with parents who might be working from home too, often need faster NBN than smaller households who might not use the internet as much.

When choosing the best family NBN plan, it's especially important to consider:

1. Speed: For families of 3, 4, 5, or more, choosing a fast and reliable broadband service is a must. Consider an NBN 50 or NBN 100 plan to ensure all devices can access the same fast download speeds.
2. Bundles: Bundling your NBN plan with an entertainment package such as Foxtel or Fetch can keep the whole family entertained.

Most average families can get by with a broadband plan of 50Mbps download speeds / 5Mbps upload speeds. However, larger households, particularly those with gamers, those who might stream multiple videos online at once, or those who might have more than one person video conferencing or working from home, will need a faster broadband speed. Depending on your household’s needs, one NBN speed tier might be better than the other. While single-person households might do well with NBN 12, bigger households should consider NBN 50 or NBN 100 to ensure enough bandwidth for every device.