Cheap NBN plans compared: great value options from just AU$40

NBN logo on red fibre optic background
(Image credit: NBN Co / Getty Images)

Looking for a cheap NBN plan? You've come to the right place. With cost of living pressures continuing to pile on many Australian homes, being able to save on everyday essentials is paramount. I'd argue an internet connection is a daily necessity and fortunately, there are several cheap NBN plans available that will keep you connected and deliver a fast, reliable service.

Whether you're searching for a popular NBN 50 plan or you need a much faster NBN 1000 plan there are affordable options to be found. What's more, since the introduction of the NBN speed upgrades in September 2025, I've seen some excellent value across NBN 500 plans in particular.

The good news is that the fastest NBN plans are becoming more and more affordable, with many costing less than plans 20 times slower. Of course, it’s also important to consider costs in the longer term. The cheap NBN plans I've recommended on this page are not only affordable when you first sign up, they also remain some of the most affordable options in the market after the initial discount has ended.

Remember too, that virtually all telcos, bar a few exceptions, work on a no lock-in contract basis, meaning you're free to switch providers whenever you see fit, if you find a deal or price that works better for your household.

Jump to:
Cheap NBN 25 – AU$44p/m from Flip (first 8m, then AU$59.90p/m)
Cheap NBN 50 – AU$60.90p/m from Kogan Internet (first 6m, then AU$80.90p/m)
Cheap NBN 100 – AU$66.90p/m from Kogan Internet (first 6m, then AU$85.90p/m)
Cheap NBN 500 – AU$80p/m from Exetel
Cheap NBN 750 – AU$78p/m from Flip (first 8m, then AU$89.90pm)
Cheap NBN 1000 – AU$99p/m from Buddy

All of our plan recommendations are detailed below, but before you check them out, here are some good deals you should know about before deciding on an NBN plan:

* Please note that prices are correct at time of publishing.

Cheap NBN plans compared

Cheap NBN 25 plan

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FlipPremium |25MbpsAU$44p/m

Flip Premium | 25Mbps | AU$44p/m (first 8 months, then AU$59.90p/m)

Flip continues to dominate as the cheapest NBN 25 plan provider, although there have been a couple of changes recently. Firstly, the introductory cost has increased from AU$39 to AU$44 but the duration of the introductory period has increased from 4 to 8 months. The result is actually a cheaper first-year cost compared to before the changes. If you want to spend less each month, for 6 months, Tangerine's plan is AU$39.90p/m.

• AU$44 minimum cost
• AU$591.60 first year cost
• AU$718.80 ongoing yearly cost

• See more: Best NBN 25 plans

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Cheap NBN 50 plan

Kogan Internet Silver Unlimited | 50Mbps | AU$60.90p/m

Kogan Internet Silver Unlimited | 50Mbps | AU$60.90p/m (first 6 months, then AU$80.90p/m)

Kogan Internet continues to offer the cheapest NBN 50 plan of the providers I monitor, although only in the first year. Once your first 12 months of service comes to an end, you could always switch to another provider – Buddy is cheapest when you get into your second year, for example. The telco is also well-reviewed by customers, making this a top option for anyone looking to save as much as possible.

• AU$60.90 minimum cost
• AU$850.80 first year cost
• AU$970.80 ongoing yearly cost

• See more: Best NBN 50 plans

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Cheap NBN 100 plan

Kogan Internet Gold Unlimited | 100Mbps | AU$66.90p/m

Kogan Internet Gold Unlimited | 100Mbps | AU$66.90p/m (first 6 months, then AU$85.90p/m)

Kogan Internet also maintains its spot for an affordable NBN 100 plan. If you can't get faster internet at home, then this plan is an easy recommendation. As with the plan above, however, this one offers excellent value in the first year of service, and the ongoing cost is beaten Flip.

• AU$66.90 minimum cost:
• AU$916.80 first year cost
• AU$1,030.80 ongoing yearly cost

• See more: Best NBN 100 plans

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Cheap NBN 500 plan

Exetel One | 500Mbps | AU$80p/m

Exetel One | 500Mbps | AU$80p/m

I've said several times that I think an NBN 500 plans offers the greatest overall value and Exetel's plan is a particular highlight. It's not the cheapest in the first year – that title goes to Southern Phone – but it's the simplicity of Exetel's pricing and the fact it's the cheapest provider from year 2 that gets my vote.

• AU$80 minimum cost
• AU$960 yearly cost

• View more of the best NBN 500 plans

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Cheap NBN 750 plan

Flip Super Speed | 640Mbps | AU$78p/m

Flip Super Speed | 640Mbps | AU$78p/m (first 8 months, then AU$89.90p/m)

If 500Mbps isn't enough speed for you, and 1Gbps is too much, an NBN 750 plan could be for you. And Flip's offering is the cheapest of the providers I monitor thanks to a hefty 8-month discount and a low introductory rate. The ongoing cost is also some AU$20 less than the current average.

• AU$78 minimum cost
• AU$983.60 first year cost
AU$1,078.80 ongoing yearly cost

• View more of the best NBN 750 plans

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Cheap NBN 1000 plan

Buddy Telco | 875Mbps | AU$99p/m
Best for power users

Buddy Telco | 875Mbps | AU$99p/m

Buddy has introduced a few money-saving offers throughout the year, but for now they're nowhere to be seen. Still, the telco is one of the most affordable on the NBN 1000 tier, and it advertises some of the fastest speeds.

• AU$99 minimum cost
• AU$1,089 first year cost
• AU$1,188 yearly cost

• See more: Best NBN 1000 plans

Cheap NBN FAQ

Are cheap NBN 12 plans worth it?

In general, we don’t recommend signing up to an NBN 12 plan. Among the internet providers we monitor, the current average price of NBN 12 is AU$62.21 while the average cost of an NBN 25 plan is slightly more at just over AU$70. It’s a small increase for double the speed, so we don’t think cheap NBN 12 plans are worth it at all – you’re much better off with a cheap NBN 25 plan.

Here’s a look at some of the cheapest NBN 12 plans if you’re curious:

What is the cheapest NBN service?

The cheapest NBN service we’ve found comes from Flip, with an NBN 12 plan that starts at AU$39 a month for your first four months. While it’s the cheapest NBN plan available, it’s not one we would recommend, because we don’t recommend NBN 12 plans in general. Instead, if you want an NBN service that’s worth using, we suggest checking out Flip’s NBN 25 plan which also starts at AU$39 a month for your first six months, and gets you double the speed.

Are cheap NBN plans worth it?

Cheap NBN plans are worth it if saving money is your top priority, and there’s great deals to be had across all NBN speeds. However, before signing up to a cheap NBN plan, there are some aspects to consider:

How long the discount lasts:

Most NBN providers will offer you a discount for your first six months on the service – sometimes you can even get a cheaper rate for up to 12 months. Once the initial discount ends, consider whether the ongoing cost still makes it a cheap NBN plan. If not, you can always switch to another provider, which should be easy if you’re not locked into a contract or paying off any hardware.

Can you BYO modem:

Practically all NBN providers will ask if you’d like to include a modem with your new NBN plan, but if you already have one, you’ll save a good amount of money by reusing it whenever you switch telcos. You’ll likely need to reconfigure your modem to your new internet provider’s settings, but it’s pretty straightforward and the telco should give you instructions on how to do so.

What features are you missing out on:

A cheap NBN plan is often missing some of the more premium features of the major telcos, such as a modem with 4G backup or streaming add-ons. If you can do without these extras, you’ll likely spend less on your internet bill.

Max Langridge
Senior Editor, Home Entertainment & Broadband (APAC)

Max is a senior staff writer for TechRadar who covers home entertainment and audio first, NBN second and virtually anything else that falls under the consumer electronics umbrella third. He's also a bit of an ecommerce fiend, particularly when it comes to finding the latest coupon codes for a variety of publications. He has written for TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? as well as Pocket-lint, and he's also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. Max also dabbled in the men's lifestyle publication space, but is now firmly rooted in his first passion of technology.