What are the best internet plans in Australia?
The best internet plan is the one that’s right for you — and that’s a plan that has the right inclusions (such as speed, data, contract length, and extras such as modems) and a price that suits your needs and budget.
Award-winning internet providers
Canstar surveys thousands of internet users each year to determine which provider offers the best customer satisfaction across home NBN, home wireless internet, mobile broadband, bundled internet and business NBN.
- Best-Rated NBN Provider 2025: Southern Phone
- Best-Rated Home Wireless Broadband Provider 2025: TPG
- Best-Rated Mobile Broadband Provider 2025: Amaysim
- Best-Rated Internet and Entertainment Provider 2025: Vodafone
- Best-Rated Bundled Energy and Telecommunications Provider 2025: Origin
- Best-Rated Small Business NBN Provider 2025: Aussie Broadband
Canstar’s Outstanding Value awards also highlight internet providers offering high-value products across NBN and home wireless broadband.
- Outstanding Value — NBN Plans 2025: Moose Mobile
- Outstanding Value — High Speed NBN Plans 2025: Southern Phone
- Outstanding Value — Wireless Broadband Plans 2025: iiNet & TPG
What are the best internet deals?
If you’re changing to a new internet plan, you’ll probably notice many providers offering new customer discounts and deals. These promotions can be a great way to save on internet, but keep the following in mind when comparing internet deals:
- How long a discount runs: Most discounts expire after a certain time, e.g. your first three, six or 12 months.
- The standard price of the plan: Know how much you’ll be charged once the discount ends.
- Free trial/subscription terms: Many telcos will throw in freebies such as free streaming, but only for a limited time — once your free subscription ends, you may be charged going forward if you don’t cancel that service.
- Other fine print: Some internet deals require you to stay connected for a minimum period, bundle with other products or pay your bill a certain way to qualify.
If you’re comparing internet deals, make sure to read all the plan information — and any terms and conditions — before signing up.
Best internet deals
Some current deals on NBN 50 plans from Canstar’s database include:
- Tangerine: $59.90 per month for six months, then $84.90 per month ongoing
- Dodo: $65.99 per month for 12 months, then $85.99 per month ongoing
- Superloop: $65 per month for six months, then $85 per month ongoing
- Kogan: $64.90 per month for 12 months, then $80.90 per month ongoing
- Moose Mobile: $63.80 per month for six months, then $79.80 per month ongoing
What is the best internet for gaming?
A fast internet speed will typically provide a smoother and speedier performance, which is especially useful for cloud-based gaming. Internet plans with faster speeds can also ensure that your gaming sessions or downloads aren’t interrupted when other people in your household are also online.
NBN Co recommends its fastest speed tiers, from NBN 100 and up, as the best choice for gaming. Some NBN providers — including Aussie Broadband and Superloop — offer NBN plans optimised for online gaming that feature fast download speeds and reduced lag, and may include extras like direct transit links to gaming platforms such as Steam and to international servers.
Overall, keep the following in mind when comparing internet plans for gamers:
- Cheapest isn’t always best — cheap plans often come on the slower NBN speed tiers, and often direct internet traffic through longer routes (i.e. through an interstate city instead of your own).
- Choose a fast enough internet speed to meet your household needs overall, not just your gaming.
- Ping or latency is more important than outright download speeds.
- Using an Ethernet cable connection instead of WiFi can help improve speed and connection.
What is the best internet for Netflix and streaming video?
The minimum internet speed for streaming will depend on the quality of the video. Generally, streaming services such as Netflix, Stan, Disney+ or BINGE require the following speeds:
- Standard definition streaming: Minimum speed of 3Mbps
- High definition streaming: Minimum speed of 5 to 15Mbps
- 4K ultra-high definition streaming: At least 15Mbps, although 25Mbps is ideal.
What types of internet plans are available in Australia?
NBN
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is the most common type of internet used by Australians.
Operated by NBN Co, the network uses fibre, fixed wireless and satellite connections to replace the existing copper wire networks used in largely obsolete ADSL internet. NBN broadband instead offers faster download and upload speeds that are better suited to how we use the internet today.
There are seven technology types used to connect homes to the NBN:
- Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
- Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
- Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
- Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
- Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
- NBN satellite
- NBN fixed wireless
Keep in mind that NBN satellite and NBN fixed wireless will have separate NBN plans to the fibre connection types. If you have one of these wireless NBN connection types, you might find there aren’t as many plans and providers to choose from.
NBN Co also divides access to its network into a range of speed tiers, which determine how fast your plan will be.
- Home Basic I (NBN 12) — available to all fibre connection types
- Home Basic II (NBN 25) — available to all fibre connection types
- Home Standard (NBN 50) — available to all fibre connection types
- Home Fast I (NBN 100) — available to FTTN/FTTB/FTTC connection types
- Home Fast II (NBN 500) — available to FTTP/HFC connection types
- Home Superfast (NBN 750) — available to FTTP/HFC connection types
- Home Ultrafast (NBN 1000) — available to FTTP/HFC connection types
- Home Hyperfast (NBN 2000) — available to FTTP/HFC connection types
What are the alternatives to the NBN?
If you’re unable to connect to the NBN, or are unhappy with your current service, other internet types that may be available to you include:
- Private fibre networks (OptiComm, Gigacomm, Spirit, Lightning Broadband, Uniti)
- Telco fibre networks (TPG, iiNet, Aussie Broadband)
- Home wireless broadband (5G or 4G home internet)
- Mobile broadband
- Satellite broadband (Starlink, Amazon Leo)
Fibre internet
Fibre internet uses fibre optic cables to send and receive data, offering potential speeds of 1000 megabits per second (Mbps) or faster. It’s the same technology that powers fibre NBN connections, but non-NBN fibre networks are privately run and owned, rather than being managed by the Government-owned NBN Co.
There are multiple non-NBN fibre providers in Australia, including OptimComm, Gigacomm, and from telcos such as Aussie Broadband, TPG and iiNet. However, availability of these fibre networks will depend on your location.
Home wireless broadband and 5G home internet
Home wireless broadband is technology that allows a modem to access the internet remotely, using the same 4G or 5G mobile networks that connect your phone. Unlike NBN, home wireless doesn’t need to connect to a fixed line in your wall, with connections generally only requiring a plug-in modem.
Home wireless broadband that runs on a 5G network is frequently referred to as ‘5G home internet’. You may also see the term ‘4G home internet’ for 4G-only home wireless plans.
Mobile broadband
Like home wireless broadband, mobile broadband uses mobile networks to connect your device to the internet. Mobile broadband uses dongles, mobile hotspots or SIM cards to connect, and is ideal for connecting not just phones, but also tablets and laptops.
Because these plans are portable and can be used anywhere where your provider's mobile network is available, they’re a good option for accessing the internet when travelling Australia. Mobile broadband plans are also called data-only SIM plans, but keep in mind that they’re not the same as standard mobile phone plans.
Starlink and satellite broadband
Outside of Sky Muster, the satellite NBN service, the main type of satellite broadband available to Australians is Starlink. It uses thousands of low Earth orbit satellites to deliver internet, and offers low latency and reliable speeds.
Originally only available in rural locations, Starlink is now offered across the country. Australians can buy a plan from Starlink directly, or access Starlink through partner telco Telstra in eligible regional areas.
Amazon is also in the process of launching its Amazon Leo satellite service, and has announced a partnership with NBN Co to eventually replace the current Sky Muster satellites with its own network. The transition is expected to begin after mid-2026.
What is the best type of internet?
The best type of internet for you will depend on what’s available at your address, as well as your usage and speed needs. For example, if you live in a larger household and enjoy high-definition streaming, gaming or video calls, you’ll probably benefit from fibre or NBN or 5G home internet. If you’re located remotely, you may get the best results from Starlink. If you’re just looking for a portable plan or something flexible and basic, you may benefit from mobile broadband.
In terms of speed and reliability, fibre internet will deliver the fastest and strongest performance, at download speeds of up to 2000Mbps on FTTP connections. However, you can still get fast speeds from other internet types: 5G in particular can offer speeds well over 100Mbps, even in busy periods.
How to choose a new internet plan
You can compare hundreds of internet plans from a wide range of providers with Canstar’s free internet plan comparison tool. Before you compare, you’ll need to consider the following:
- Internet and connection type: Are you looking for NBN, 5G internet, mobile broadband, or another internet type? If you’re searching for NBN plans, what technology type connects your home?
- Internet speed: How you use the internet and the size of your household will determine the minimum download and upload speeds you’ll need for the best experience.
- Internet extras: Do you need features such as a home phone line or included modem? Do you want to bundle your home internet with other services like mobile phone plans, streaming services or electricity and/or gas?
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on your plan each month?
Once you know the kind of internet plan you’re looking for, you’ll be able to compare plans within your budget and find the right fit for you. Don’t be afraid to check out smaller or lesser-known brands, as these providers often offer more competitive pricing than the big telcos.
How do I switch internet plans?
Step by step - switching internet plans on the NBN
- Review your current contract and plan: Make sure you’re free to cancel and switch without incurring any early termination fees. Also take note of your plan’s speed tier — this will help you find a similar or faster plan when comparing.
- Compare plans with Canstar and sign up online: Use Canstar’s comparison tool to search and filter plans by budget, speed tier and connection type.
- Check and prepare your modem and devices: You may need a new modem if you’re switching internet type or upgrading your connection.
- Wait for the switchover: Once you’ve signed up, your service will usually be switched over within a few hours, although times may vary.
- Cancel your old internet service: When your new service is up and running, you can officially cancel your old plan with your previous provider.
How do I switch internet types?
Switching from NBN to home wireless or mobile broadband
If you have reliable 4G or 5G mobile network coverage, you can sign up for home wireless or mobile broadband as an NBN replacement.
You’ll most likely need a wireless modem or hotspot, which will be available from your new provider. Once you’ve signed up to your new plan and have the modem up and running, your connection should go live immediately after activation. You’ll then need to cancel your old NBN plan.
Switching from NBN to a different fibre internet type
Usually homes are connected to only one fibre network — whether that’s NBN or private fibre. It could be possible to get your home connected to a non-NBN network; however, this will require a technician to visit your home, which might involve additional costs.
If you are able to switch from one fibre network to another, the process of changing plans should be similar to switching NBN. You’ll need to ensure all your equipment is compatible with your new service, sign up to your new plan and wait for it to be activated. You can then cancel your old internet plan after your new service is up and running.
How long does it take to switch internet providers?
The time it takes to switch between internet types depends on factors such as the connection type, your location, and your choice of broadband. If you’re moving to a home wireless or mobile broadband plan, your new service will usually be active within a few hours. Check with your internet provider if you’re unsure.
If you’re switching NBN providers, this can usually be completed in one to three business days, but some customers may experience a longer waiting period. Again, connection times may vary for a variety of reasons, including your location, the type of NBN technology your home will connect with, and if your property is already NBN-ready.
Cheap internet plans
What are the cheapest internet plans?
If you’re an NBN, fibre or home wireless broadband customer, the cheapest internet plans available to you will generally be on slower speed tiers, or with capped maximum speeds. As most home internet plans (outside of mobile broadband and some NBN satellite plans) include unlimited data, price is based on download and upload speeds — so the faster the potential speed, the more you’ll pay.
In comparison, mobile broadband or data-only plans are usually priced by data inclusions, so the cheapest internet plans will be those with a lower number of gigabytes per month or recharge.
NBN users looking for a cheap internet plan may prefer options on the NBN 12 or NBN 25 speed tiers, but should keep in mind that these speeds may not be adequate for bigger households, or high intensity use like streaming and gaming. You can also find cheap new customer deals on faster plans like NBN 50 or NBN 100/NBN 500, but these discounts may be temporary and only apply to your first few months on a new plan.
According to a Canstar survey from June 2025, 25% of Australians using the NBN signed up for the cheapest plan available, with cost being the most important deciding factor alongside data allowance. NBN users looking for a cheap internet plan may prefer options on the NBN 12 or NBN 25 speed tiers, but should keep in mind that these speeds may not be adequate for bigger households, or high intensity use like streaming and gaming. You can also find cheap new customer deals on faster plans like NBN 50 or NBN 100/NBN 500, but these discounts may be temporary and only apply to your first few months on a new plan.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to be on the lowest speed tier to save. Canstar research in January 2026 found that switching from the average-priced NBN 100 plan on our database to the cheapest can save you around $25.40 per month, or $305 annually.
What is the average internet bill in Australia?
According to Canstar’s research, the average price per month customers paid for NBN plans in 2025 was $85 per month.
Home wireless broadband customers paid $73 per month on average, while mobile broadband users typically paid $57 monthly.
Can I bundle internet and phone plans?
Some internet providers allow you to bundle mobile phone and broadband plans under the same account, or offer discounts for adding multiple services.
Many providers may also offer VoIP home phone services as part of your internet plan, or available as an add-on extra — some offer unlimited call packs, others pay-as-you-go calling.
What is a VoIP service?
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service allows you to make calls over your internet connection, rather than through a traditional phone line. If you’re using an NBN connection that has replaced your old copper telephone line with fibre, VoIP works as an alternative to a landline or home phone. It also allows you to keep your old phone number.
