Everybody has different needs from their internet connection. Some people only need the internet for emails and Facebook, whereas other people need internet to run their businesses from home or enjoy some high-definition video streaming. Picking the right plan can be daunting, and the last thing you’ll want is a plan that is far too expensive with perks that you’ll never use.
If you’re a senior and looking for the cheapest internet for pensioners and seniors, or you’re the son or daughter of a senior looking for a quality internet connection for your parent, this guide aims to help you find the best and cheapest NBN plans for seniors and pensioners.
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Cheapest NBN plans for seniors
There are some great NBN options available for seniors if you’re looking for the cheapest NBN plans for pensioners and seniors, with several telcos offering exclusive deals and discounts. Aussie Broadband and Flip both provide specific NBN packages for pensioners, including phone lines.
Keep in mind that any discounts and deals for seniors and pensioners might require you to hold an eligible card, such as a Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans card, so you should always check these requirements before signing up.
Aussie Broadband NBN plans for seniors
Aussie Broadband offers a wide range of NBN plans, including a choice between several seniors NBN plans, which are available to customers aged 60 and over. All plans are offered on the NBN 12 speed tier, with the choice between data-capped or unlimited data plans. The main feature is also the inclusion of a home phone service. Some plans have pay-as-you-go calls, while the most expensive plan includes unlimited local, interstate and Australian mobile calls.
These are the pay-as-you-go call rates:
- 15c per local call
- 15c per interstate call
- 22c per minute mobile calls
The following table shows a selection of Aussie Broadband seniors NBN plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Flip NBN plans for seniors
Flip offers several specialised plans for seniors, with various speeds available. Plan prices begin at per month $47.90 for unlimited data with NBN 12 speeds, with NBN 25 and NBN 50 plans also available. Flip’s deals frequently offer price reductions for the first six months, see below for details.
The following table shows Flip NBN seniors plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.. These are products with links to a referral partner.
Cheap NBN plans for seniors compared
While there aren’t many internet providers offering seniors NBN plans, there are still plenty of cheap plans on the slower speed tiers that could suit your needs.
If you’re curious about what sort of prices and deals are available, the following table shows a selection of unlimited data NBN plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Does Telstra offer seniors NBN plans?
Australia’s biggest NBN provider currently doesn’t offer seniors-specific broadband plans — although eligible concession card or health care card holders may be able to access discounted internet plans.
However older customers can access free or low-cost online training to help them build essential tech and internet skills.
Telstra’s ‘Tech Savvy Seniors‘ program is delivered in partnership with the NSW State Government and can help seniors learn how to keep in touch with loved ones online, access government and health services via the internet, and use their connection to keep up with and discover interests and hobbies.
As for Telstra’s NBN plans, the telco tends to offer some of the highest prices in the Aussie market. However, plans do come with plenty of extras and optional add-ons, such as phone bundles, streaming services and more. Although it’s not the cheapest provider, if you’re looking for a trusted name and plenty of extra options, Telstra may be worth considering.
The following table shows a selection of published Telstra NBN plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers.
How can seniors get the NBN?
The National Broadband Network (NBN) has finished its initial Australia-wide rollout, so most homes will now be able to connect, either to fibre, satellite or fixed wireless NBN. There are a range of technology types available, but most homes outside of regional areas will have access to a fixed-line NBN connection that’s much faster than the old ADSL internet previously offered.
One important thing to note: customers don’t deal directly with NBN Co, even though the company owns and operates the NBN. Instead, internet plans are sold to customers by NBN providers such as Telstra, Optus or TPG. So if you ever have an issue with your service, you’ll need to get in touch with your NBN provider.
If you’re not currently connected to an NBN plan, you can check if the NBN is available at your address via NBN Co’s address check tool. If your address gets the green light from NBN Co, your next step is to pick a plan and provider — you can sign up for a plan online through any of the table links on this page.
If your home requires any equipment to be installed, your NBN provider will help you arrange a time for an NBN technician to visit your home and help you get set up. An NBN provider’s customer service team can also help you find the right NBN-ready modem or router for your plan, and answer any technical questions you may have.
Find out more on moving to a new NBN plan in our step-by-step guide.
NBN offers you might like
The following table shows a selection of sponsored unlimited data Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50), and Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners..
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $60.90) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$60.90 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $79.99) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$79.99 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $63.90) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$63.90 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
Unlimited Home Standard (NBN 50) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost (excluding discounts), from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited Home Fast (NBN 100) Plans
The table below shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
How to pick an NBN plan
Choosing an NBN plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re after the cheapest NBN plans for seniors or you’re after a plan on a faster speed tier, there are a wide range of providers offering plans to suit different usage needs. Here are some tips to help you find the right plan for your needs.
How much do NBN plans cost?
The cheapest unlimited data NBN plans tend to start at around $45-$50 per month (not including internet deals and discounts or seniors’ offers). These plans feature basic NBN 12 or NBN 25 speeds and are usually available as BYO modem plans or with the option to add a modem on.
For a faster speed NBN 50 plan, you can expect to pay from $70 per month as standard. If you’re looking for something even faster, NBN 100 plans begin at around $80-85 monthly — again, this doesn’t include any discounts available to seniors or new customers.
How much data do I need?
If you only need the internet for occasional web browsing and email checking, 100GB a month should be fine. Typically, limited data plans are available with the two slowest NBN speeds (NBN 12 and 25).
If you’re a daily user who enjoys streaming movies, using social media or playing online games, your best bet is plan with unlimited data; fortunately, most NBN providers tend to offer unlimited data as standard, even on their cheapest plans.
Related: How much data do I need?
How fast should my NBN plan be?
NBN plans are sold and priced by speed tiers — the faster the potential speed, the more you’ll pay each month. The more you do with your plan, and the more people in your home who use the internet, the faster your speed should be.
Speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps), which describes the amount of data that your plan can transmit in every second. NBN Co offers potential speeds of up to 1000 megabits per second, but these speeds aren’t available to all homes and are best suited to big households with heavy internet usage needs.
For a small home that doesn’t use their internet for high-definition streaming or gaming, an NBN 12 or NBN 25 plan should be enough. These speeds are generally suitable for social media, emails, web browsing and streaming applications like Netflix and YouTube. If you have a larger family, with multiple people online at once, you may want to consider a plan with NBN 50 speeds or higher — these plans are also ideal for activities like online gaming, live streaming and video calling, and downloading larger files.
Do I need any add ons and extras?
Some NBN providers may offer extras and other services that can be added on to your plan. These may cost extra each month or you may pay a premium price for your NBN plan to access these extras. If you’re aiming to find the cheapest NBN plans for pensioners and seniors, these extras may increase your monthly plan fees by a considerable amount.
Providers will usually offer the following extras and add ons:
- Introductory discounts: New customer discounts are often available, just be aware of the pricing once introductory offers expire.
- Included modems: Some plans allow you to bring your own (BYO) modem, while others may have a modem/router bundled in or available to add on to your plan for an extra cost. Keep in mind that modems included on plans for $0 or free, may require you to stay connected to your NBN plan for a set amount of time, such as 24 or 36 months, otherwise you may need to return the modem or pay the remaining modem cost.
- Home phone: If you still require a landline, some providers may include or offer the option to add on a home phone service. Keep in mind that you may need to add on a call pack if you want unlimited calls, otherwise you may have to pay-as-you-go for your calls.
- Entertainment extras: Some telcos will offer bonuses and extras such as free streaming trials, but again, make sure you’re not on the hook for a subscription once your free trial ends.
- Contract term: Most NBN plans are month-to-month with no exit fees, but make sure to check if there’s any contract terms before you sign up.
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