The number of internet options available to the average Aussie is getting to the point of being overwhelming, especially if you’re just after a cheap NBN plan.
There’s a wide variety of pricing tiers available, and they all come with quirks and caveats that you’ll need to look out for. We’ve run through our best cheap NBN plan recommendations here, or if you want to jump ahead, click the links below:
- Cheapest NBN plan overall
- Cheapest NBN plan with unlimited data
- Cheap NBN 25
- Cheap NBN 50
- Cheap NBN 100
- Cheap NBN 250
- Cheap NBN 1000
Current cheap NBN deals
All of our plan recommendations are detailed below, but before you check them out, here are some good deals you should check out before deciding on an NBN plan:
- Internode: save AU$20p/m for 6 months on NBN 50 plans (from AU$59.99)
- Spintel: save AU$10.95p/m for 6 months on NBN 25 (from AU$49)
- Tangerine: save AU$15p/m for 6 months on NBN 25 and 50 plans (from AU$44.90)
Best cheap NBN plans
Cheapest NBN plan overall
The lowest-cost NBN plan available
TPG | NBN 12 | 10GB data | 6-month contract | AU$29.99p/m
If you’re after a bare-minimum NBN connection then TPG’s got the cheapest plan available. It comes with a modem and is only AU$40 upfront (including a AU$10 equipment delivery fee), so it’s the least you’ll pay to get on the NBN. The catch is that you’ll only have 10GB of data per month to play with and it’s on a 6-month contract. Unless you’re a minimal internet user, we don’t think this plan offers good value for money, so consider your needs before signing up.
Total minimum cost over 6 months is AU$189.94
Cheapest NBN plan with unlimited data
The lowest cost with unlimited data
For an extra AU$10 a month, you can move up to this NBN 12 plan from Spintel and take advantage of unlimited data. It’s been discounted by AU$10.95 a month for your first six months, so you’ll initially pay just AU$39 for a connection. For the price, you can expect typical evening speeds of 12Mbps.
Total minimum cost is AU$39
Live-updated NBN 12 plans
Cheap NBN 25
A cheap NBN plan that doesn’t sacrifice speed
Although it’s not the absolute cheapest, this deal from Tangerine gets you on a decent NBN 25 plan – rather than NBN 12 – with unlimited data and typical evening speeds of 25Mbps. Tangerine will discount your plan by AU$15 a month for your first six months on the service, so you’ll pay AU$44.90 each billing period. After the welcome discount you’ll need to pay AU$59.90 a month for the connection, which is still relatively cheap for this tier.
Total minimum cost is AU$44.90
Live-updated NBN 25 plans
Cheap NBN 50
Best option for most users
Exetel | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$50p/m (first 6 months, then AU$79p/m)
Tangerine has long-held the crown for the cheapest NBN 50 plan, but this month it has been pushed off the pedestal by Exetel. The ISP is now offering an NBN 50 plan for just AU$50 a month, the cheapest price we can remember seeing. The plan has a typical evening speed of 48Mbps, and the six-month discount will see you save AU$174 all up.
Total minimum cost is AU$50
Live-updated NBN 50 plans
Cheap NBN 100
A bump in speed for larger households
We’ve seen a number of providers cut the cost of their 100Mbps plans in recent months, but Spintel has edged out the rest to claim the best NBN 100 plan in the market. This plan will see you pay a discounted rate of AU$74 for your first six months, before it reverts to the standard cost of AU$84.95 a month. While Dodo has a lower monthly cost, it ends up more expensive in the long run due to a AU$60 setup fee.
Total minimum cost is AU$74
Live-updated NBN 100 plans
Cheap NBN 250
For super-fast internet, consider this
Mate | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$89p/m (first 6 months, then AU$109p/m)
The cost of connecting to the NBN 250 tier has dropped in recent months, and now the lowest price you’ll pay is just AU$89 a month from Mate. That discounted price holds for the first six months, after which it’ll increase to AU$109 each billing. Mate reports a typical speed of 208Mbps during the evening hours, which does fall short of the 250Mbps that certain ISPs are beginning to report. As an NBN 250 plan, it’s only available to FTTP and select HFC connections
Total minimum cost is AU$89
Live-updated NBN 250 plans
Cheap NBN 1000
The fastest you can get, but only available in select locations
MyRepublic is offering its NBN 1000 plan for a (frankly insane) AU$99 a month. You’ll pay that discounted rate for your first six months on the service, after which your monthly bill will increase to AU$129 a month. The telco says you can expect a typical evening speed of 350Mbps on the plan, which lags behind other providers such as Telstra and Aussie Broadband – though you’ll be paying a fair whack less in your internet bill.
Total minimum cost is AU$99
Live-updated NBN 1000 plans
Cheap NBN plans: major telcos
If you’re looking for the cheapest options available for the major providers, we’ve outlined them below. While they aren’t as affordable as other budget ISPs, they tend to perform well, and come with optional added perks:
Cheapest Telstra NBN plan
Telstra | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$80p/m
This is Telstra’s cheapest NBN plan, though it’s hardly the cheapest option out there. The lowest speed tier the telco offers is NBN 25, and it promises speeds of up to 25Mbps during busy peak periods. This plan now comes with unlimited data, which could suit smaller households everyday use, and still leave room for light gaming and streaming. Telstra will waive your sign-up fee if you register online, and if you stick with the telco for 24 months, it’ll also throw in the Smart Modem for free (worth AU$216).
Total minimum cost over 24 months is AU$1,920
Not the right plan for you? Check out our full comparison of all Telstra’s NBN plans.
Cheapest Optus NBN plan
Optus | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$75p/m
The most affordable NBN plan from Optus isn’t exactly cheap, but this is the lowest you’ll pay with the provider. For AU$75 a month, you can get setup with an NBN 50 plan with unlimited data, and typical download speeds of 50Mbps in the evening hours. 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).
Total minimum cost is AU$426
Cheapest TPG NBN plan (that's actually good)
TPG | NBN 12 | 100GB data | 6-month contract | AU$49.99p/m
TPG has some incredibly cheap NBN plans – the lowest you can pay is AU$29.99 a month for 10GB of data – but it’s not great value, so we reckon stretching to this one for AU$20 more is a better deal. This NBN 12 plan will see you pay under AU$50 a month for 100GB of data, though TPG says this is allotted into 50GB during peak and 50GB during off-peak. During the evening hours, you can expect typical speeds of 12Mbps. If you sign up to a 6-month contract, TPG will waive the AU$99 set-up fee, though you’ll pay delivery charges. If you’d prefer this plan on a no lock-in contract, it’s also available but comes with a AU$99 set-up fee. If you’re willing to stretch your budget a little further, you could also consider paying an extra AU$10 a month for an NBN 12 plan with unlimited data.
Total minimum cost over 6 months is AU$309.94
- Telstra vs Optus NBN: who has better broadband?
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