More NBN deals
The range of fast NBN plans on offer has changed drastically in recent months, and there are now three fast tiers available to households: NBN 1000, NBN 250 and NBN 100.
The sheer number of options can be understandably overwhelming, but we’ve sifted through all the detail of the fastest NBN plans on offer to bring you our top picks. Skip ahead by clicking on the links below:
Can you get NBN 250 or 1000?
Before signing up to a high-speed NBN 250 or NBN 1000 plan, there are some factors you should be aware of. These tiers are only available on two types of NBN connection – fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC).
When it comes to NBN 1000 plans, all FTTP connections can sign up for the 1000Mbps speed tier, but only a select subset of HFC installations are eligible – estimated to be roughly 7% of the total.
Current fast NBN deals
Below we’re running you through our plan recommendations, but first, check out these ace offers currently available on fast NBN plans:
Best fast NBN plans
Best NBN 100 plan
Our choice for large households and those who want a little extra speed
There’s some stiff competition in this speed tier at the moment, but we’re giving it to Spintel this month for having not only the best, but the cheapest NBN 100 plan on the market. You’ll get a discount for your first six months with the provider, so you’ll pay AU$74 a month before it goes back to AU$84.95 each billing. It’s still one of the cheapest NBN 100 plans you’ll find once the discount ends, and for the price, you’ll be getting typical speeds of 90Mbps.
Total minimum cost is AU$74View Deal
NBN 100 plans compared
Best NBN 250 plan
The go-to for lightning-quick broadband
Aussie Broadband has a ripper deal on its fastest NBN plans at the moment, making this NBN 250 plan the cheapest option available in its class. The plan has been cut down to AU$99 a month for your first six months with the provider, after which it will go back to the standard AU$129 a month. The plan boasts an almost maxed-out typical evening speed of 248Mbps, so rest assured you’re getting a great service. If you’d like to get this offer, use the code FAST30 at checkout.
Total minimum cost is AU$99View Deal
NBN 250 plans compared
Best NBN 1000 plan
The fastest you can get, but only available in select locations
NBN 1000 plans compared
Fast NBN plans: major telcos
When it comes to the big three internet providers, these are the best fast plans available:
Telstra’s best high-speed NBN plan
Telstra’s higher speed tiers tend to be quite expensive, but the telco has slashed a solid AU$40 off its NBN 250 plan. You’ll now pay just AU$100 a month for your first six months on this plan, after which it’ll revert back to the standard AU$140. That’ll set you up with a reliable service and a typical download speed of 215Mbps. You’ll get the AU$99 connection fee waived by signing-up online, and if you stick with the telco for 24 months, you won’t have to pay for the Telstra Smart Modem either (usually AU$216).
Total minimum cost over 24 months is AU$3,120View Deal
Optus’ best high-speed NBN plan
Optus | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$130p/m
Optus has recently introduced NBN 250 to its offering, though instead of being billed as a separate plan, it comes as an optional ‘add-on’. You’ll pay AU$130 a month to get this superfast broadband, and you can expect typical evening speeds of 215Mbps. Optus has historically performed well in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) speed test report, so you can feel fairly confident going for Optus. You’ll need to pay a AU$99 start-up fee, and while the plan comes with no lock-in contract, you will need to pay out the cost of your modem if you leave before a 36-month term (usually AU$252). Currently, this plan is only available to those with a FTTP connection.
Total minimum cost is AU$481View Deal
TPG’s best high-speed NBN plan
TPG | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | 6-month contract | AU$79.99p/m (first 6 months, then AU$89.99p/m)
TPG is a popular telco among Aussies because it offers solid, reliable speeds at an affordable price. It has also consistently performed well in the ACCC’s speed test report, and delivers speeds of up to 95Mbps during the peak evening period. If you sign up for this NBN 100 plan on a 6-month contract, TPG will waive the AU$99 set-up fee, though a AU$10 delivery fee applies. You can also get this same plan on a no lock-in contract, though it’s an additional AU$109 upfront with all fees included. Note that you could face a contract payout fee of up to AU$350 if you decide to leave early.
Total minimum cost over 6 months is AU$489.94View Deal
Fast NBN FAQ
What are NBN 1000 real world speeds?
NBN 1000, which the NBN Co refers to as ‘Ultrafast’, is the fastest consumer NBN speed tier.
The small but growing number of ISPs who offer it typically advise a typical evening speed of 250Mbps – though we’ve seen speed test results that place the figure much higher at 900Mbps.
What are NBN 250 real world speeds?
The second-fastest tier is NBN 250, which the NBN Co refers to as ‘Superfast’.
Again, there’s a small number of providers who offer this speed, and most report an average download speed of 215Mbps during the evening hours – though the actual speed does vary among the ISPs, so be sure to read the fine print.
What are NBN 100 real world speeds?
The NBN 100 tier is the most affordable option from the fastest NBN category, and you can expect a typical evening speed of around 82Mbps. While the tiers mentioned above are leaps and bounds ahead in terms of speed, they are also limited in their availability – only FTTP and HFC connections can sign-up to NBN 1000 and NBN 250 in most cases.
NBN 100 is referred to as ‘Fast’ by the NBN Co – it’s available for most connection types, and is often the fastest option available for the millions of Australians using fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) technology. You can read more about each connection type here.