How internet plans work in Australia
Most Australian homes access the internet via the National Broadband Network (NBN). The technology type at your address (FTTP, FTTN, HFC, fixed wireless, or satellite) determines the maximum speeds available. ISPs purchase wholesale access from NBN Co and resell it as retail plans across a range of speed tiers from NBN 12 ($45 to $55/month) to NBN 1000 (from about $105/month) and NBN 2000 (about $150 to $190/month).
Since every ISP accesses the same physical NBN network, the differences between providers are pricing, peak-hour congestion management, and customer support quality. The ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia report independently tests how much of the advertised speed each ISP delivers during the evening peak (7pm to 11pm). This is the single most useful comparison metric.
Our take on choosing an internet plan
Start with NBN 50. It suits most households of 2 to 4 people. Most providers charge about $70 to $95 per month once any intro discount ends. The jump from NBN 25 to NBN 50 is only $10 to $15 and makes a noticeable difference. NBN 100 is worth the upgrade for larger households or heavy simultaneous use. NBN 250 and 1000 are overkill for typical household use.
For ISP choice: Superloop (101% of advertised speed in the ACCC's final report, from $78/month at NBN 25) offers the best balance of performance and value. Aussie Broadband (95.2% speeds, Canstar 2026 winner, from $83/month) is the pick if Australian-based support matters most. Tangerine and SpinTel are the budget picks, from about $70 to $73/month at NBN 25 once their 6 month intro discounts end. Telstra (99.5% speeds, from $89/month) delivers strong speeds at a premium price.
Check the free FTTP upgrade. If you are on FTTN or FTTC, NBN Co's free fibre upgrade programme may offer a $0 upgrade to full fibre at your address (you need to order an NBN 500 plan or faster to use it). This is the single most impactful improvement you can make to your internet quality.
Compare internet plans at your address
Enter your postcode to see which speed tiers, technologies, and ISPs are available.
Compare internet plansACCC peak-hour speed performance (top providers)
| Provider | Download (% of advertised) | Plans from | Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superloop | 101% | $78/month | Australian |
| Telstra | 99.5% | $89/month | Australian |
| Aussie Broadband | 95.2% | $83/month | Australian (Canstar 2026) |
| TPG | Over 101% | $79.99/month | Mixed |
| Tangerine | Limited data | $72.90/month | Australian |
Source: ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia, final report (Report 33, June 2026): average download speed as a share of advertised speed during the evening peak (7pm to 11pm). The programme has now concluded. "Plans from" is the standard rate for NBN 25; most providers discount the first 6 months for new customers, see our NBN deals.
For a detailed breakdown of what each speed tier actually supports and who it suits, see our NBN speed tiers guide. For rural and remote areas where NBN is limited, see our Starlink vs NBN comparison.
