What are the best internet plans for renters?

Fact Checked

It’s safe to say that internet providers generally favour customers who stick around. However, with a housing market that’s becoming increasingly unaffordable for some families, more than two million Australians now live in rented accommodation – often on a short lease of a year or less.

If you’re looking for the best internet for renters and what options are available, plans with short contracts, easy relocation options and no set-up fees, may be the best choice if you’re looking for internet for a rental property. Read on to find out which internet for renters is the right option for you.

Internet plans for renters: What should I look out for?

There are a few things you need to look out for when choosing the best internet for renters – especially if it’s only for a short-term (i.e. a year or less). These include:

• No contracts
• NBN plans without line rental
• Low or no set-up fees

While these three may seem arbitrary if you just want the ‘cheapest’ internet plan, what you may need to consider is the fact that if and when it comes time to move on, will you be able to just up and leave without worrying about contracts? Will you have to worry about home phone numbers and associated costs? Not to mention, various cheap plans also incur hefty set-up fees. After all, you’re dealing with moving costs and paying a bond, so getting away with no set-up fees may be easier on the budget.

Chances are, if you find a plan with all three features, and at your desired price, you’re onto a winner. These days, most NBN providers deliver all three of these on plans, with some coupled to a six-month or 12-month discount.

NBN offers you might like

• NBN Sponsored Plans
• NBN50 Plans
• NBN100 Plans

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..

Sponsored Products

Origin | Enthusiast nbn100 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $72.50) Typical evening speed of 98Mbps Sign up & enjoy 50% off your internet for the first 6 mths when you bundle with energy. Save $10 per bill thereafter. Sign up by 31/03/2025, T&C’s Apply

Unlimited Data/month

$52.50 Cost/month

Go to Site

Home Fast Plus nbn100 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $65.00) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps Home Fast plan now $65 a month for 6 months when you BYO modem and have AGL energy. T&C’s apply, offer ends 08/04/2025.

Unlimited Data/month

$65.00 Cost/month

Go to Site

dodo | nbn50 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $68.90) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps Save $15/month for 12 months, plus save an extra $10/month When you bundle with Dodo Energy plans. T&Cs Apply T&C’s Apply, offer ends 29/04/25.

Unlimited Data/month

$68.90 Cost/month

Go to Site

View all nbn plans listed on Canstar Blue

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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.

Internet plans with short-term or no contracts

There are definitely many reasons why you might not want to be locked into a contract. These days, most providers offer plans with no contracts and any setup fees or installation fees are often waived. If you choose to add a modem on to your plan, you might find that you’re required to stay on your plan for 24 or 36 months in order to get your modem for ‘free’. Other providers may require you to pay for the modem upfront. With the popularity of no-contract internet plans, some providers regularly offer six-month discounts on plans, in an effort to keep you sticking around.

Broadband plans with low or no set-up fees

If you’re in the process of moving into your new home and having to contend with the extra costs like your bond, moving costs and any new furniture or appliances, having a broadband plan with hefty set-up fees is probably the last thing you need. Despite most providers completely doing away with set-up fees, the setup costs that are still around can greatly vary from provider to provider, with some charging up to $200 in setup fees. However, set up fees aren’t as common as they once were, so finding a plan without these extra costs, should be fairly easy.

Compare NBN plans

NBN is widely available across the country, and with most plans available as no lock-in contract plans, signing up to an NBN plan may be the best option for your internet needs. You can use our free NBN plan comparison tool to compare a wide range of NBN plans and providers, or view the below tables to compare plans on different speed tiers.

NBN plans without line rental

It’s quite common now to pick up an NBN plan without line rental — that is without a home phone or the ability to use a home phone in your house. These days most people rely on their mobile plans so it often makes sense to not have a home phone.

The good news is that most providers will give you the choice of having line rental included in your plan or not there at all. Some providers offer line rental included in plans at no extra cost, however, these plans often cost more than plans excluding line rental. Regardless, keep your eye out for these plans and make sure you’re not spending too much on unnecessary features.

Want ultimate flexibility? Go mobile!

Mobile broadband plans

If you already have a modem or device and you simply want the SIM-only plan to go with it, several telcos offer mobile broadband plans or a data-only SIM plan. The advantage to going with one of these plans is that your choice is based on value for money and not based on the modem available from the providers. If you go with the data-only SIM, it’s also handy if you already have a modem or if you prefer to select and buy a modem yourself. Otherwise, some telcos will offer mobile broadband modems to add on to your plan.

Most mobile broadband plans are available as month-to-month, which is handy if this is only an interim solution before you get connected to an NBN plan. Other plans may be available on contracts, usually tied to the modem payment plan. However, since it’s a mobile broadband plan, you’ll be able to take your internet with you when you move, so you probably won’t need to cancel if you do relocate mid-contract.

Home wireless broadband

We’re not talking about using your mobile phone’s data allowance all the time, but several providers do offer4G or 5G wireless broadband plans with generous amounts of data and an included modem. Home wireless broadband can differ between providers as some only offer a SIM card (to use either with a tablet or your own modem), whereas others offer wireless broadband with modems which are either portable or a modem that needs to be plugged in to be used.

With these plans you’ll get a SIM card and an included modem you can simply plug it into a powerpoint. These options are great for if you’re in a share house and want your own internet connection, or if you want something that’s more portable, as you’ll also be able to take the modem with you if you decide to move.

Keep in mind that most of these plans will have a modem included. Often the modem will be included for $0 but you’ll need to stay connected to the plan, usually over 24 or 36 months. If you cancel your plan before then, you’ll either need to pay off the remaining modem cost or return the modem to the provider.

Modems and wireless routers when renting

Probably the last thing you will consider when moving out – but an important thing nonetheless – is buying a modem or router, or whether your new provider will include one.

A lot of providers include a modem-router as standard, although most providers will give you the choice to come with your own modem. Buying your own router can be a blessing in disguise, as you can find some pretty cheap ones that do the job well, or if you want to have the best possible internet experience, you can choose a higher-end one. In any case, it’s worth looking into the finer detail of a plan you’re after to see if it includes a router.

If you’re transitioning to an NBN connection, you’ll also have to see if your router is ready for the NBN. Chances are that if your router is less than a few years old it will be, but if it’s older you may want to think about quickly upgrading. This is because with the NBN you’ll likely experience faster speeds, so to get the best experience you’ll want to get a compatible router.

What option is the best internet for renters?

All in all, renters are pretty well covered when it comes to home internet plans, but whether you rent or own your own home, the most important message is that it’s good to shop around and keep an eye out for the best deal. When you’re shopping around, make sure you keep an eye out for the following things:

1. Short or no contracts
2. Low set-up fees
3. No line rental

Overall, the message is that finding the ideal plan is a juggling act, and while there are certainly some cheap plans out there, keep in mind that some plans might catch you off guard. The best bet is to shop around at a price that’s comfortable for you and go from there. As always, it’s best to see what service is available in your area and compare your options to find the right deal for you.

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