The number of internet options available to the average Aussie is getting to the point of being overwhelming, especially if you’re just after a cheap NBN plan.
There’s a wide variety of pricing tiers available, and they all come with quirks and caveats that you’ll need to look out for. We’ve run through our best cheap NBN plan recommendations here, or if you want to jump ahead, click the links below:
Current cheap NBN deals
All of our plan recommendations are detailed below, but before you check them out, here are some good deals you should check out before deciding on an NBN plan:
- Internode: save AU$20p/m for 6 months on NBN 50 plans (from AU$59.99)
- Spintel: save AU$10.95p/m for 6 months on NBN 25 (from AU$49)
- Tangerine: save AU$15p/m for 6 months on NBN 25 and 50 plans (from AU$44.90)
Best cheap NBN plans
Best NBN 25 plan
A cheap NBN plan that doesn’t sacrifice speed
Although it’s not the absolute cheapest, this deal from Tangerine gets you on a decent NBN 25 plan – rather than NBN 12 – with unlimited data and typical evening speeds of 21Mbps. Tangerine will discount your plan by AU$15 a month for your first six months on the service, so you’ll pay AU$44.90 each billing period. After the welcome discount you’ll need to pay AU$59.90 a month for the connection, which is still relatively cheap for this tier.
Total minimum cost is AU$44.90View Deal
Cheapest NBN plan
The lowest-cost NBN plan we can recommend
TPG | NBN 12 | 10GB data | 6-month contract | AU$29.99p/m
If you’re after a bare-minimum NBN connection then TPG’s got the cheapest plan available. It comes with a modem included and is only AU$40 upfront (including a AU$10 equipment delivery fee), so it’s the least you’ll pay to get on the NBN. The catch is that you’ll only have 10GB of data per month to play with and it’s on a 6-month contract. Unless you’re a minimal internet user, we don’t think this plan offers good value for money, so consider your needs before signing up.
Total minimum cost over 6 months is AU$189.94View Deal
Cheap NBN plans: major telcos
If you’re looking for the cheapest options available for the major providers, we’ve outlined them below. While they aren’t as affordable as other budget ISPs, they tend to perform well, and come with optional added perks:
Cheapest Telstra NBN plan
Telstra | NBN 25 | 500GB data | No lock-in contract | AU$75p/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 is capped at 500GB of data per month, which could suit smaller households everyday use, plus some room for light gaming or streaming. Telstra will waive your sign-up fee if you register online, and if you stick with the telco for 24 months, it’ll also throw in the Smart Modem for free (worth AU$216).
Total minimum cost over 24 months is AU$1,800
Not the right plan for you? Check out our full comparison of all Telstra’s NBN plans.View Deal
Cheapest Optus NBN plan
Optus | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$75p/m
The most affordable NBN plan from Optus isn’t exactly cheap, but this is the lowest you’ll pay with the provider. For AU$75 a month, you can get setup with an NBN 50 plan with unlimited data, and typical download speeds of 50Mbps in the evening hours. You’ll need to pay a 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).
Total minimum cost is AU$426View Deal
Cheapest TPG NBN plan (that's actually good)
TPG | NBN 12 | 100GB data | 6-month contract | AU$49.99p/m
TPG has some incredibly cheap NBN plans – the lowest you can pay is AU$29.99 a month for 10GB of data – but it’s not great value, so we reckon stretching to this one for AU$20 more is a better deal. This NBN 12 plan will see you pay under AU$50 a month for 100GB of data, though TPG says this is allotted into 50GB during peak and 50GB during off-peak. During the evening hours, you can expect typical speeds of 12Mbps. If you sign up to a 6-month contract, TPG will waive the AU$99 set-up fee, though you’ll pay delivery charges. If you’d prefer this plan on a no lock-in contract, it’s also available but comes with a AU$99 set-up fee. If you’re willing to stretch your budget a little further, you could also consider paying an extra AU$10 a month for an NBN 12 plan with unlimited data.
Total minimum cost over 6 months is AU$309.94View Deal
- Telstra vs Optus NBN: who has better broadband?