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
Noteworthy 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 12, 25 and 50 plans (from AU$39)
- Tangerine: save AU$15p/m for 6 months on NBN 25 and 50 plans (from AU$44.90)
- Superloop: save AU$20p/m for 6 months on NBN 100 plans (from AU$69.95)
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: AU$189.94 | Total cost for first year: AU$329.89
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: AU$39 | Total cost for first year: AU$533.70
NBN 12 plans compared
Cheap NBN 25
A cheap NBN plan that doesn’t sacrifice speed
This is one of the absolute cheapest NBN 25 plans you can get. 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 very cheap for this tier. You’ll get unlimited data and typical evening speeds of 25Mbps.
[A multi-award winner in the 2021 Mozo Experts Choice NBN Awards.]
Total minimum cost: AU$44.90 | Total cost for first year: AU$628.80
• See more: Best NBN 25 plans
NBN 25 plans compared
Cheap NBN 50
Best option for most users
Spintel | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$54p/m (first 6 months, then AU$64.95)
When it comes down to the cheapest NBN 50 plan, you’ll often find it’s a tight race between the providers Spintel and Tangerine. This month, Spintel has come out on top with it’s low introductory offer of AU$54 a month that holds for your first six months, and a low ongoing rate of AU$64.95 each month after. Tangerine’s offer is a little more at AU$54.90p/m for six months, then AU$69.90 ongoing, but whichever you go with, you’ll get a typical evening speed of 50Mbps.
Total minimum cost: AU$54 | Total cost for first year: AU$713.70
• See more: Best NBN 50 plans
NBN 50 plans compared
Cheap NBN 100
A bump in speed for larger households
Spintel has cut the cost of its 100Mbps plan even further this month, giving it an easy claim as the best (and cheapest) NBN 100 plan on the market. This plan will see you pay a discounted rate of AU$69 a month for your first six months, before it reverts to the standard cost of AU$84.95 a month.
Total minimum cost: AU$69 | Total cost for first year: AU$923.70
• See more: Best NBN 100 plans
NBN 100 plans compared
Cheap NBN 250
For super-fast internet, consider this
Mate | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$99p/m
Mate is doing things a little differently than the other telcos by ditching the standard six-month discount entirely. Instead, you can get Mate’s NBN 250 plan for a low ongoing cost of just AU$99 a month. So while other providers such as Tangerine are cheaper initially (AU$94.90p/m for six months, then AU$109.90p/m ongoing) Mate is the better and cheaper option for those who plan to stick around longer than six months, which is most of us. Mate also quotes a marginally higher typical evening speed of 208Mbps, compared to Tangerine’s 205Mbps.
[A multi-award winner in the 2021 Mozo Experts Choice NBN Awards.]
Total minimum cost: AU$99 | Total cost for first year: AU$1,188
• See more: Best NBN 250 plans
NBN 250 plans compared
Cheap NBN 1000
The fastest you can get, but only available in select locations
MyRepublic is offering its NBN 1000 plan for AU$105 a month, which is the cheapest we can find at the moment. You’ll pay that discounted rate for your first six months on the service, and even once it increases to AU$135 a month, it’s still the lowest ongoing rate out there. The telco says you can expect a typical evening speed of 350Mbps on the plan, meaning it sits only behind Telstra and Aussie Broadband in terms of speed – though you’ll be paying a fair whack less on your internet bill with MyRepublic.
[A multi-award winner in the 2021 Mozo Experts Choice NBN Awards.]
Total minimum cost: AU$105 | Total cost for first year: AU$1,440
• See more: Best NBN 1000 plans
NBN 1000 plans compared
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: AU$296 (includes modem) | Total cost for first year: AU$960
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$79p/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$79 a month, you can get setup with an NBN 50 plan with unlimited data, and typical download speeds of 50Mbps in the evening hours. Optus has axed the previous 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: AU$331 (includes modem) | Total cost for first year: AU$948
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. Sign up to a six-month contract and 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: AU$309.94 | Total cost for first year: AU$609.88
- Telstra vs Optus NBN: who has better broadband?
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