Best internet deals in Australia (June 2023)

Wi-Fi modem in home
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Searching for a good internet deal can be tricky. There’s a huge number of internet providers in the market, and many of them currently offer six-month-long discounts to new customers, in the hope that it’ll tempt you over to their service.

You’ll notice that a few of the internet deals we’ve highlighted below come from Exetel or Flip, and that’s because these internet providers often have the most competitive plans in the market. Exetel particularly excels in the higher speed tiers such as NBN 250, so take a look if that’s what you’re after.

These days, the NBN isn’t the only way to connect to the internet either. You can also get online through a wireless home internet plan, which use mobile 4G and 5G towers to hook you up. Alternatively, if you want to access the internet on your laptop while you’re away from home (or are just constantly on the go and don't want to be tied down to a fixed service), a mobile broadband SIM-card and optional wireless modem-router may be the best solution for you.

We’ve got a full rundown of the best internet deals at any speed, and with any connection below. Scroll down to search for a better internet deal.

Best overall internet deals this month

Exetel

Exetel | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$53.95p/m (first 6 months, then AU$74.95p/m)

Exetel’s plan will initially cost you just AU$53.95 a month for NBN 50 speed, before your bill increases to AU$74.95 a month ongoing. What we really like about this plan is that it comes with five Speed Boost days every month, which means you can double-up your internet speed to NBN 100/20 for five days of your choosing each month.

Total minimum cost: AU$53.95 | Total cost for first year: AU$773.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$899.40

Flip

Flip | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$54p/m (first 6 months, then AU$64.90p/m)

We’ve selected this deal as the best NBN 50 plan currently available, so it’s worthwhile highlighting it here too. You’ll get a typical evening speed of 50Mbps, and you’ll only pay AU$54 a month for your first six months. After that discounted period ends, your monthly bill will increase to AU$64.90, which is one of the lowest prices we can find in the NBN 50 tier.

Total minimum cost: AU$54 | Total cost for first year: AU$713.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$778.80

More

More | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$53.90p/m (first 12 months, then AU$69.30p/m – CommBank customers only)

Right off the bat, it’s important to note this deal is only available to CommBank customers, and you’ll need to pay your monthly bill with a CommBank credit or debit card to redeem the offer. For 50Mbps speed, you’ll only need to pay AU$53.90 a month for your first year on the service, which is an excellent deal.

Total minimum cost: AU$53.90 | Total cost for first year: AU$646.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$831.60

Optus

Optus | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | Netflix Standard | AU$89p/m (first 6 months, then AU$99p/m)

This deal comes on the Optus Family Entertainer NBN 50 plan. Along with typical evening speeds of 50Mbps, the 'Family Entertainer' package includes a Netflix standard subscription (worth AU$16.99), a Wi-Fi booster and device security from McAfee. The plan is discounted down to AU$89 a month for your first six months, before it increases to AU$99 each month ongoing.

Total minimum cost: AU$89 | Total cost for first year: AU$1,128 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,188

Best cheap internet deals this month

Flip

Flip | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$44p/m (first 6 months, then AU$54.90p/m)

This is our pick for the best NBN 25 plan on the market. Flip’s cheap introductory offer will see you pay AU$44 a month for your first half-year on the service, after which the price will bump up to AU$54.90 each billing. Flip advertises a typical evening speed of 25Mbps on this plan, so you’re getting good value for money with this.

Total minimum cost: AU$44 | Total cost for first year: AU$593.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$658.80

Tangerine

Tangerine | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$44.90p/m (first 6 months, then AU$59.90p/m)

While the speed on an NBN 25 plan won’t wow you, its price almost certainly will. With Tangerine’s welcome discount, you can get set up on this speed tier for AU$44.90 a month for the first six months, which is one of the cheapest offers available. After that, your monthly bill will go up to AU$59.90p/m, which is still an affordable deal.

Total minimum cost: AU$44.90 | Total cost for first year: AU$628.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$718.80

Fast internet deals this month

Dodo

Dodo | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$63.80p/m (first 6 months, then AU$85p/m)

Dodo is offering a hefty discount on its NBN 100 plan, slicing just over AU$21 off every month for your first six months. That means you’ll pay an introductory price of AU$63.80 a month for your first half-year, before your bill increases to AU$85 each month ongoing. Dodo advertises a typical evening speed of 100Mbps.

Total minimum cost: AU$63.80 | Total cost for first year: AU$892.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,020

Flip

Flip | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$69p/m (first 6 months, then AU$79.90p/m)

Flip’s NBN 100 plan is a little more expensive than Exetel’s equivalent in the short term, but in the long run, Flip has the better internet deal when it comes to price. However, Flip reports a typical evening speed of 91Mbps on this plan, which isn’t as fast as Exetel’s promised 100Mbps downloads.

Total minimum cost: AU$69 | Total cost for first year: AU$893.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$958.80

Exetel

Exetel | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$83.95p/m (first 6 months, then AU$108.95p/m)

This is one of the cheapest NBN 250 options out there, at least for your first six months. It has a typical evening speed of 225Mbps, which is slightly above the average speed on this tier (which is 223Mbps). Exetel is also a top performer in the ACCC’s broadband reporting, and with five My Speed Boost days included every month, you can upgrade to NBN 1000 for five days of your choosing (rated at 500Mbps).

Total minimum cost: AU$83.95 | Total cost for first year: AU$1,157.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,307.40

Best home wireless internet deals this month

Telstra

Telstra | 5G home internet | 1TB data | No lock-in contract | AU$85p/m (first month free)

If 5G connectivity is available in your area, then a 5G Home Internet plan could serve you well. Telstra’s plan gets you 1TB of data for AU$85 a month, but you get your first month for free, giving you a nice way to trial 5G home internet. According to Telstra, its 5G plan has a typical evening speed of 378Mbps.

Total minimum cost: AU$0 | Total cost for first year: AU$935 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,020

Optus

Optus | 5G home internet | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$69p/m (first month free)

Optus’ 5G Home Internet plan will set you up with unlimited data, though the maximum download speed you’ll be able to achieve is 50Mbps (and a typical download speed of 45Mbps). You’ll get your first month free, and after that, you’ll pay AU$69 for each month thereafter. Note that the minimum charge on this plan is AU$576, which is the cost of the modem.

Total minimum cost: AU$576 | Total cost for first year: AU$759 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$828

Best mobile broadband internet deals this month

Belong

Belong | 4G Mobile Broadband | 100GB data | No lock-in contract | AU$35p/m

While this mobile broadband plan isn’t technically a deal, we’re recommending it because it offers better value for money as compared to the competition. Belong’s mobile broadband comes with 100GB of data for just AU$35 a month, and it delivers this using part of Telstra’s 4G and 3G network. Note, this plan uses a SIM card to connect you to the network.

Total minimum cost: AU$35 | Total cost for first year: AU$420

Telstra

Telstra | 5G Mobile Broadband | 30GB data | No lock-in contract | AU$25p/m

If you want mobile broadband with 5G access, then we’d suggest this plan from Telstra. Again, this plan isn’t actually discounted, so you’ll always pay AU$25 a month for 30GB of data. Lots of perks come with this plan, including one month of Foxtel Now, two months of Binge and three months of Apple TV Plus – all free. This plan uses a SIM card to connect you to the network.

Total minimum cost: AU$25 | Total cost for first year: AU$300

Internet deals FAQ

Which provider has the best internet deals?

There are a lot of providers offering a wide range of internet deals, making it difficult to know which plan is right for you. Some are super cheap, while others offer fast speeds at a higher cost. Each ISP has a selling point that makes it worth your time.

  • Telstra: best for fast speeds and optional add-ons
  • Optus: one of the best performing internet providers overall
  • TPG: best for reliable speed at a bargain price
  • Aussie Broadband: high speeds, local support and flexible plans
  • Tangerine: one of the cheapest providers for internet plans
  • Internode: a historical enthusiast-favourite

Who has the cheapest internet deal in Australia?

Spintel has one of the cheapest internet deals on offer, with an introductory price of AU$44 a month for your first six months, after which it increases to AU$49.95 a month ongoing. This plan will get you a typical evening speed of 20Mbps, which is good for the price.

What NBN speed do I need?

NBN speeds are represented as megabits per second (Mbps), and generally speaking, the higher Mbps, the faster the speed. Do keep in mind though that the advertised typical evening speed is the 'average' and doesn’t necessarily reflect the actual download speed you’ll receive during peak periods. For the most part, that varies depending on your connection type.

0-12Mbps. This is considered entry-level broadband, and at 12Mbps is equivalent to just over 1MB per second. It should be fast enough for small households where only one or two people are using the internet at once. Be aware that if you stream TV, you may experience the some buffering interruptions.

25-50Mbps. Every major internet provider offers 25-50Mbps broadband, and you’ll commonly see it referred to as an NBN 25 plan and an NBN 50 plan. This is the sweet spot between fast speeds and good value, and should comfortably suit a household with three to five users who are streaming, gaming or working from home all at once.

50-100Mbps. If you want to stream in 4K, or have five or more people using your internet connection at the same time, then it may be worth shelling out for the extra speed. It will cost you more, but you’ll experience much less lag, and providers may sweeten the deal with added extras and rewards.

250Mbps. Now we’re getting really fast. An NBN 250 plan is best-suited to a busy household that wants lightning-quick broadband. You’ll only really get value out of this if you want to download large files, have multiple devices online at the same time, or if multiple users want to stream in 4K or 8K simultaneously.

1,000Mbps. If money is no object, then 1Gbps download speed is the best broadband you can get. It’s a relatively new speed tier in Australia, and as such, the small number of telcos who provide it report a typical evening speed of 454Mbps on average. However, in real world tests it’s often much higher; we’ve seen speed test results of over 900Mbps. With this kind of speed, you can expect to do everything highlighted above without incident, and have exceptionally fast downloads.

What is 'average' speed for internet?

According to the Speedtest Global Index, the median download speed of internet in Australia is 53.06Mbps, which places Australia at number 73 among all the countries ranked. 

You won’t personally receive that kind of speed unless you sign up to an NBN 50 plan or higher (where typical evening speeds are 49Mbps on average). But also note that your connection type and location can affect the final speed you receive, so it’s best to double check with any prospective providers to see exactly what their minimum speed provisions and conditions are.

Every internet service provider (ISP) in Australia is required to state each of its NBN plans' typical evening speed, so look out for this number when signing up to a new plan.

Is the NBN available in my area?

The simplest way to see if the NBN is available in your area is check your address directly on NBN Co’s website. This will tell you what type of connection is available at your address, so you know what to look for when comparing NBN plans.

Now that the NBN rollout has officially been declared complete, the vast majority of Australians should now have access to the National Broadband Network in some form. You can also take a look at the NBN rollout map to see what is available and where.

Internet contracts and pricing

What contract length should I go for?

Most internet providers offer month-to-month plans with no lock-in contracts. Some providers do give you the option of signing up to a six or 12-month contract, though it is certainly less common than rolling month-to-month terms. Given the flexibility that month-to-month contracts provide, we wouldn’t recommend signing up to a lock-in contract.

No lock-in contracts are much more popular though, and most of them do give you the option of using your own modem if you have one. While some telcos will require you to pay set-up fees, the benefit of a no lock-in contract is that the minimum you could pay might be as little as a one-month term.

Will I have to pay anything upfront for NBN?

Possibly. Known interchangeably as 'activation', 'connection', 'setup' or 'upfront' fees, most of the major internet providers ask for some payment when you kick off your contract, even if it’s just to cover the cost of delivering your new modem.

But plenty of providers have now scrapped their set-up fees completely (Telstra, for example, will waive its connection fee if you sign-up online), while others run promotions where they temporarily scrap their upfront cost.

There may be other added extras, too. If you want an internet and entertainment package, you might be charged for the set-top box – that could be worth it if you don’t have a device to pause and record live TV.

Do I have to pay more to have a phone line?

If you use a home landline to make and receive calls, many broadband providers give you the option of including a phone line, with some even including one at no extra cost.

Telstra’s NBN plans all include a home phone landline at no extra cost, and you’ll also get unlimited calls to Australian mobiles and standard lines included for free.

Optus offers you an optional phone line with all its NBN plans, with calls billed on a PAYG basis. Alternatively, you can choose to add a phone line with unlimited calls to standard numbers and mobiles in Australia for an extra AU$10 a month.

TPG is much the same, offering PAYG calls. For an additional AU$10 a month, you can add unlimited calls to standard numbers and mobiles in Australia.

Are Wi-Fi and broadband the same thing?

Yes and no. For many of the broadband deals we've listed above, you will be getting a Wi-Fi modem-router alongside a broadband connection. 

Wi-Fi is what enables you to connect your laptop and phone to the internet through wireless connections within and around your home. This is achieved thanks to the modem-router that comes with your broadband package.

Broadband is the external connection that allows your modem-router to access the internet, which can be via a physical cable (such as a fibre-optics based NBN connection) or via a fixed-wireless connection, such as satellite or even a 4G- or 5G-based connection.

Can I cancel my internet plan early?

Cancelling your internet plan early is possible, and is especially easy if you’ve signed up to a no lock-in contract.

Whether or not you’ll have to pay any exit fees depends on the specifics of your plan. If you’re on a no lock-in contract and are using your own modem, or you paid for it upfront, chances are you can jump ship without facing a fee.

If you’re on a rolling month-to-month contract but haven’t yet paid off your modem, you’ll often be required to pay out what is remaining for the device.

Cancelling an internet plan that you’ve signed a six or 12-month contract for can be harder, and you’ll almost certainly have to pay an exit fee. You may need to pay out the monthly cost for each month you have remaining, a percentage of it, or a flat fee.

While you can cancel early, if you are able to ride it out, it’s likely the better option and will save you a decent amount of money.

My contract has ended, should I change plans?

Yes, always yes! When internet contracts come to an end, your plan will end up rolling on, and often the costs have sky-rocketed up. This could leave you paying significantly more for the same plan.

When your internet package is coming to an end, take a look at what is available and see if you could get better speeds, prices or freebies somewhere else.

4G and 5G home internet: what are they?

In recent years, alternatives have been proposed to the NBN, offering more flexible solutions, cheaper plans and other options.

Of the alternatives, 4G home internet has proven to be the most popular and effective. It works by placing a SIM card inside a modem, amplifying its connection through a house.

It offers a few key benefits that standard internet deals can’t quite achieve. Primarily, it doesn’t require a set-up process, it can be taken anywhere there’s a power socket and it offers flexibility for renters or travellers.

It’s not as powerful as regular internet, but if you're unhappy with the NBN connection where you live, are in need of a temporary solution or any other factor that applies, this could be the perfect way to go.

Can I get freebies with my internet plan?

The most common freebie you’ll get with your internet plan is a free modem, though this usually requires you to stay connected to the plan for around 24 months.

Telstra and Optus are the most likely to include other added perks, such as a free streaming subscription to your plan. Telstra currently offers a two-month free subscription to Binge, three months of Apple TV Plus and four months of Spotify Premium.

Jasmine Gearie
Ecommerce editor

Jasmine Gearie is an ecommerce editor at TechRadar Australia, with a primary focus on helping readers cut through the jargon to find the best mobile and internet plans for their needs. She crunches the numbers to maintain dedicated guides to the latest phones, NBN and broadband plans of all types, and covers the important telco industry news. She also hunts down tech deals on laptops, phones, gaming consoles and more, so readers know where to buy the products they want for the cheapest prices.