The range of fast NBN plans on offer has changed drastically in recent months, and there are now three fast tiers available to households: NBN 1000, NBN 250 and NBN 100.
The sheer number of options can be understandably overwhelming, but we’ve sifted through all the detail of the fastest NBN plans on offer to bring you our top picks. Skip ahead by clicking on the links below:
You can also check our overall guides to compare NBN plans and cheap NBN plans.
Can you get NBN 250 or 1000?
Before signing up to a high-speed NBN 250 or NBN 1000 plan, there are some factors you should be aware of. These tiers are only available on two types of NBN connection – fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC).
When it comes to NBN 1000 plans, all FTTP connections can sign up for the 1000Mbps speed tier, but only a select subset of HFC installations are eligible – estimated to be roughly 7% of the total.
Current fast NBN deals
Below we’re running you through our plan recommendations, but first, check out these ace offers currently available on fast NBN plans:
- Internode: save AU$10p/m for 12 months on NBN 100, 250 and 1000 plans (from AU$89.99)
- iiNet: save AU$10p/m for 12 months on NBN 100, 250 and 1000 plans (from AU$89.99)
- Superloop: save AU$20p/m for 6 months on NBN 250 and 1000 plans (from AU$109)
Best fast NBN plans
Best NBN 100 plan
Our choice for large households and those who want a little extra speed
As is often the case, you’ll get a bit of a discount on your first six months with Tangerine. But even once the price jumps up an extra AU$15 per month, it’s still one of the best value NBN 100 plans on the market right now thanks to its unlimited data, solid evening speeds (83Mbps), and no lock-in contract. With this offer, you can either BYO modem or spend AU$129.90 upfront to get one from Tangerine direct.
Total minimum cost is AU$74.90View Deal
NBN 100 plans compared
Best NBN 250 plan
The go-to for lightning-quick broadband
This option from Tangerine is our overall choice because it’s relatively affordable, and promises to deliver a typical evening speed of 205Mbps – a significant jump over NBN 100 plans. You’ll get a discount for your first six months with Tangerine, bringing your bill down to AU$109.90 a month for the first half-year. After that, it will revert to the usual AU$119.90 a month. It’ll set you up with unlimited data, and there’s no lock-in contract, so you’re free to leave anytime. This plan is only available on FTTP and HFC connections, so check your address on the website.
Total minimum cost is AU$109.90
Not what you were after? Check out our dedicated guide to the best NBN 250 plans.View Deal
NBN 250 plans compared
Best NBN 1000 plan
The fastest you can get, but only available in select locations
Aussie Broadband | NBN 1000 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$149p/m
Aussie Broadband was the first in the market to offer NBN 1000 to residential addresses, but that didn’t stop the telco from offering an incredibly competitive plan. For download speeds of up to 1Gbps and upload speeds approaching 50Mbps, you’ll pay just AU$149 a month. Aussie has rightly cautioned potential customers that it’s yet to determine definitive numbers on peak evening speeds, though it’s put forward 215Mbps as its baseline, so you’ll at the very least get that.
Total minimum cost is AU$149View Deal
NBN 1000 plans compared
Fast NBN plans: major telcos
When it comes to the big three internet providers, these are the best fast plans available:
Telstra's best high-speed NBN plan
Telstra | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$140p/m
Telstra has recently launched an NBN 250 speed tier, and it’s much faster than anything available from the telco before. Instead of being an entirely separate plan, it comes as an optional AU$30 'add-on' to Telstra’s current NBN 100 offering, which makes it AU$140 each month. As this is a new service, Telstra has estimated that users will get a typical evening speed of 215Mbps. Sign-up online to get your AU$99 connection fee waived, and if you stick with the telco for 24 months, you won’t have to pay for the Telstra Smart Modem either (usually AU$216). Other perks include a free three-month subscription to Binge. Please note however that Telstra’s NBN 250 plan is only available to those with a FTTP or HFC connection.
Total minimum cost over 24 months is AU$3,360
Not the right plan for you? Check out our full comparison of all Telstra’s NBN plans.View Deal
Optus' best high-speed NBN plan
Optus | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$130p/m
Optus has recently introduced NBN 250 to its offering, though instead of being billed as a separate plan, it comes as an optional 'add-on'. You’ll pay AU$130 a month to get this superfast broadband, and you can expect typical evening speeds of 215Mbps. Optus has historically performed well in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) speed test report, so you can feel fairly confident going for Optus. The provider is temporarily waiving the 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). Currently, this plan is only available to those with a FTTP connection.
Total minimum cost is AU$382View Deal
TPG's best high-speed NBN plan
TPG | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | 6-month contract | AU$79.99p/m (first 6 months, then AU$89.99p/m)
TPG is a popular telco among Aussies because it offers solid, reliable speeds at an affordable price. It has also consistently performed well in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) speed test report, and delivers speeds of up to 95Mbps during the peak evening period. If you sign up for this NBN 100 plan on a 6-month contract, TPG will waive the AU$99 set-up fee, though a AU$10 delivery fee applies. You can also get this same plan on a no lock-in contract, though it’s an additional AU$109 upfront with all fees included. Note that you could face a contract payout fee of up to AU$350 if you decide to leave early.
Total minimum cost over 6 months is AU$489.94View Deal
- Telstra vs Optus NBN: who has better broadband?
Fast NBN FAQ
What are NBN 1000 real world speeds?
NBN 1000, which the NBN Co refers to as 'Ultrafast', is the fastest consumer NBN speed tier.
The small but growing number of ISPs who offer it typically advise a typical evening speed of 250Mbps – though we’ve seen speed test results that place the figure much higher at 900Mbps.
What are NBN 250 real world speeds?
The second-fastest tier is NBN 250, which the NBN Co refers to as 'Superfast'.
Again, there’s a small number of providers who offer this speed, and most report an average download speed of 215Mbps during the evening hours – though the actual speed does vary among the ISPs, so be sure to read the fine print.
What are NBN 100 real world speeds?
The NBN 100 tier is the most affordable option from the fastest NBN category, and you can expect a typical evening speed of around 82Mbps. While the tiers mentioned above are leaps and bounds ahead in terms of speed, they are also limited in their availability – only FTTP and HFC connections can sign-up to NBN 1000 and NBN 250 in most cases.
NBN 100 is referred to as 'Fast' by the NBN Co – it’s available for most connection types, and is often the fastest option available for the millions of Australians using fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) technology. You can read more about each connection type here.