Going for the cheapest NBN plan usually means sacrificing either speed or data. But if you do your homework, you’ll find cheap plans that strike a good balance between download speed and data allowance.
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Compare a range of plans and providers to suit your budget.
Our NBN comparison tool is free to use so you can compare a range of cheap plans.
When you’ve compared plans, you can make the switch to the best cheap NBN plan for you.
Signing up to a cheap NBN plan can no doubt save you money on what has become one of our most essential household bills. However, cheap NBN plans aren’t always what meets the eye. You might think you’ve picked up a bargain plan, but that plan could cause you grief down the track if it doesn’t suit your home internet needs.
The cheapest NBN plans will be on the slowest NBN speed tiers — NBN 12 and NBN 25 speeds. Plans on these speeds are typically designed to suit smaller households with lighter internet needs.
NBN 12 for instance, is ideal for a one or two person household only using the internet for low-intensity activities, such as web browsing and checking emails — it’s not built for larger households with high video streaming needs. NBN 25 is likewise best suited to smaller households and lighter internet needs, but may be able to handle one standard definition video stream.
That’s why it’s essential to know which NBN speed tier will be best suited to your household needs before shopping around for an NBN plan. After all, a cheap NBN plan isn’t going to be much use if you or your family can’t use the internet how you would like to. Even if you need a higher speed tier (and therefore a more expensive plan), you can still pick up NBN plans across all speeds that’s good value. All you need to do is compare plans and shop around.
The cheapest NBN plans on the market will be on NBN 12 speeds. These plans are aimed at households with low internet needs such as web browsing and emails. This is usually a good option for seniors who just need home internet for the basics.
You can pick up NBN 12 plans usually with unlimited data included. Plans are typically available between $50-$70 per month and up. Many providers will also offer month-to-month plans, along with the option to add on a modem or BYO modem.
If you need a bit more speed, NBN 25 plans can handle a bit more than the basics, even standard-definition video streaming. However it’s still best suited to smaller households and reasonably light internet usage.
Cheap plans on this speed tier can be found around $60 to $70 per month, with most plans including unlimited data by default. Plans are also commonly available as month-to-month plans and with the option to BYO modem or to add a modem to your plan.
As the most popular speed tier, NBN 50, is well suited to a range of households. From households of around three or four people, or heavier internet users that need something to keep up with their high-definition video streaming or online gaming needs. This speed tier is also the fastest available to homes with certain NBN connection types.
NBN 50 plans are commonly available for around $70 to $90 per month. You’ll have a much wider range of providers to choose from compared to the slower speeds, with month-to-month plans common and optional BYO modem or add-on modems also on offer.
One of the fastest speed tiers available, NBN 100 will of course set you back a fair bit for your plan. Best suited to larger families and users with big internet needs, NBN 100 was the fastest speed on offer before the introduction of NBN 250 and NBN 1000. Plans with this speed might also be limited to homes with certain NBN connection types.
As you might expect, these plans aren’t exactly cheap. But if you need NBN 100 speeds, the cheapest plans can be found for around $80 to $100 per month. Month-to-month plans are widely available, as is the option to either buy/add on a modem or BYO modem.
Signing up to a cheap NBN plan might not be a straightforward decision, no matter how much we all like to grab a bargain. Sometimes cheap NBN plans can come with a catch, and these plans might not suit everyone. Here are some pros and cons of cheap NBN plans.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a cheap NBN plan is whether the plan will meet your home internet needs. Choosing a plan based on the speed tier that’s best suited to your household’s size and internet usage needs, is the first step you’ll need to take.
Once you’ve selected the best speed tier for your needs, then you can compare a range of plans and providers offering those speeds. Using our comparison tool at the top of the page, you can compare the cheapest plans offering the speeds you need.
You might also wish to compare plans based on providers (such as, your current provider or other providers you’re interested in) or other factors such as modem inclusions or any bundled extras. If you’re torn between a few providers offering similar priced plans, these additional comparisons could help you decide which plan is the best option for you.
To help you with your NBN plan comparisons, you might also want to see how Aussies rated their current NBN provider for Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customer ratings for NBN Provider. This could help give you a general idea as to what you might expect when you sign up with a particular provider (although individual experiences will differ).
So, you’re looking to save some money by switching to a cheaper NBN plan with a different provider, and you’ve compared a range of cheap NBN plans to find the best option for you. Now all you need to do is switch to your new plan — and the good news is, it’s a simple process.
Once you’ve chosen your new NBN plan/provider, before signing up, you should check your address on the provider’s website to ensure that the NBN plan/speed you’re signing up to is available at your address.
If your new plan is available to you, simply sign up to your new plan, which you can usually do online through your new provider’s website. Once you’ve signed up to your new plan, you’ll need to get in touch with your current NBN provider and cancel your current plan.
One thing you’ll need to be aware of when cancelling your current NBN plan, is that you might be up for some cancellation fees. This could be in the form of early exit fees, or you might need to pay off the remainder of your modem cost (if you didn’t BYO modem). You might also need to pay one final NBN bill, even after your new service has started. Some providers might also ask you to return the modem provided to you, otherwise you could be charged a non-return fee.
When you’re looking into cheap NBN plans, there is a catch. Pricing for NBN plans is generally based on the speed tier — the faster the speed, the more expensive the plan. That’s why a $40 NBN plan, as cheap as that is, isn’t going to suit every household’s internet needs.
Some plans might also have limited data inclusions (rather than unlimited data), although this is becoming less common. If you have high internet usage needs, a plan with 100GB of data might not quite cut it for your household. After all, a cheap NBN plan isn’t going to give you good value if it doesn’t meet your home internet needs.
Another catch to look out for is discounted prices. Many NBN providers will offer a discount on your plan fees — usually for the first six months — and these discounts can be as much as $15 off per month. However, once those six months are over, you could be paying more for your plan than you realised. Make sure you compare the standard non-discounted pricing before signing up, and ensure that there are no early exit fees (or that plans are month-to-month) if you plan to leave after the discount period.
However, you can still shop around for a cheap NBN plan by comparing plans with your preferred speed tier — even the faster speeds — and seeing which telcos offer the best prices for your budget.
Tara Donnelly: Utilities EditorAs Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, Tara Donnelly covers the electricity, internet and mobile sectors – topics she’s spent a decade focused on, alongside consumer technology, within the comparison industry. Her telco expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald. You can follow Tara on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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Josh Filosi is Canstar’s Data Insights Analyst, and helps develop and deliver the methodology for Canstar Blue’s Value Rankings and Awards for the telco industry. He holds a double-major in Economics and Behavioral Science, and enjoys interpreting complex data. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.
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