Cheap NBN plans compared: the best internet deals in Australia

Flip | NBN 12 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$34p/m (first 6 months, then AU$44.90p/m)

Flip has some of the cheapest NBN plans available, and you can get its NBN 12 plan for just AU$34 a month. That introductory price holds for your first six months on the service, before it increases to AU$44.90 ongoing. It comes with unlimited data and a typical evening speed of 12Mbps, which is only suited to light internet users who want to browse the web, check emails and use social media.

Total minimum cost: AU$34 | Total cost for first year: AU$473.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$538.80

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

With an introductory offer of just AU$44 a month, Flip has the cheapest NBN 25 plan we can find. You’ll get a AU$10 discount for your first six months, after which you’ll need to pay AU$54.90 a month for the connection. Flip’s regular pricing is very cheap for this tier, and for the price, you’re setting yourself up with unlimited data usage and typical evening speeds of 25Mbps – that’s suitable for web browsing and streaming in HD.

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

• See more: Best NBN 25 plans

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

While Dodo has snuck in with an NBN 50 plan that is initially 15c cheaper, Flip easily offers better value in the long term. You’ll pay AU$54 a month for your first six months with Flip, after which you’ll start paying AU$64.90 each billing. That’s significantly cheaper than Dodo’s ongoing price of AU$75 a month. With Flip, you’ll get typical evening speeds of 50Mbps, which is good for multiple devices streaming in HD or working from home.

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

• See more: Best NBN 50 plans

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

It was a tight race for best cheap NBN 100 plan this month, but Flip has managed to keep the title. It’s worth noting that both Tangerine and Dodo have cheaper offers in the short term (starting at AU$62.90 for your first six months), but you’ll be better off with Flip in the long run, especially if you plan on staying connected for more than a year. Flip’s NBN 100 plan only reports a typical evening speed of 91Mbps though, so you could consider Dodo or Exetel if you want downloads of up to 100Mbps between 7–11pm.

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

• See more: Best NBN 100 plans

Flip | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$84p/m (first 6 months, then AU$94.90p/m)

Flip takes out another category, claiming the best cheap NBN 250 plan this month. You’ll pay a discounted rate of AU$84 a month for your first half-year on this plan, after which it increases to AU$94.90 ongoing. Flip claims a typical evening speed of 236Mbps on this plan, which is slightly above the average of 223Mbps. If you want an alternative to Flip, our #2 recommendation is Exetel, which has a low introductory offer and competitive price.

Total minimum cost: AU$84 | Total cost for first year: AU$1,073.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,138.80

• See more: Best NBN 250 plans

Tangerine | NBN 1000 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$109.90p/m (first 6 months, then AU$129.90p/m)

Tangerine is our pick for the best cheap NBN 1000 plan. You’ll pay AU$109.90 a month for your first six months, before it increases to AU$129.90 a month ongoing – that’s the cheapest ongoing rate we can find at this speed. This is a new plan from Tangerine, so the telco has yet to determine the typical evening speed that will be available.

Total minimum cost: AU$109.90 | Total cost for first year: AU$1,438.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,558.80

• See more: Best NBN 1000 plans

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 with everyday use, and still leave room for light gaming and streaming. If you leave Telstra within 24 months, just return your modem or pay a AU$200 no-return fee.

Total minimum cost: AU$80 | Total cost for first year: AU$960

Not the right plan for you? Check out our full comparison of all Telstra’s NBN plans.

Optus | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$69p/m

Optus has just introduced this plan, but it comes with a caveat – you’ll need to supply your own modem and configure it yourself. That means you’ll be forgoing the Optus-supplied modem that comes with its more expensive plans, so you’ll miss out on having 4G backup. Even if that doesn’t faze you, we’d still steer you away from signing up to Optus’ NBN 25 plan, because much cheaper options are available. Check out Flip or Tangerine instead.

Total minimum cost: AU$69 | Total cost for first year: AU$828

Need a different speed? See our full comparison of all Optus NBN plans.

TPG | NBN 12 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$64.99p/m

This is TPG’s cheapest NBN plan, but we wouldn’t recommend signing up to it. That’s because there are much cheaper NBN 12 plans available, and in this speed tier, you won’t notice much difference in performance between providers. If you’re still set on signing up, note that you can BYO modem at no extra cost, or get one provided by TPG for AU$109.95.

Total minimum cost: AU$64.99 | Total cost for first year: AU$779.88