Fastest NBN plans: my top picks for high-speed internet, for all budgets

The fastest NBN plans are ideal for larger households who demand simultaneous internet access, gamers who need to download large files or anyone who loves to stream 4K UHD movies from the best streaming services.

For a long time, I've been recommending plans that offer at least 100Mbps download speeds. And, while I'm still going to recommend them, following the arrival of NBN speed upgrades in September, a vast majority of Australian homes will now be looking at an NBN 500 plan as a minimum – to me, that's exciting stuff.

Fortunately, a high-speed NBN plan doesn't even need to cost the earth, and in some cases it actually makes more economical sense to go up a speed tier with a new provider.

So, read on to discover my top picks for fast NBN plans in Australia.

Can you get NBN 500 – NBN 2000?

Not everybody will be able to sign up for the fastest NBN plans. The high-speed tiers are only available on two types of NBN connection – fibre to the premises (FTTP) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC). If your household is serviced by an FTTP or HFC installation, then you can sign up for NBN 500 plans and faster.

All NBN connection types should be able to support 100Mbps speeds, but if you want to be sure, then you'll want to see if you can get a free fibre upgrade and have FTTP technology installed at your premises.

If you want to sign up for an NBN 2000 plan, i.e. the fastest possible speed tier available in Australia, then you'll need a new network termination device (NTD) installed at your address, even if you're already connected to a fast NBN plan on an FTTP connection.

Fastest NBN plans

Fastest NBN 100 plan

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Tangerine Speedy | 100Mbps | AU$68.90p/m (first 12 months, then AU$88.90p/m)

<p>Shaving a huge AU$240 off the total first year cost, this early Black Friday deal on Tangerine’s NBN 100 plan is an easy recommendation if a 100Mbps plan is the fastest you can get at your premises. Thanks to a full 12-month discount, you'll be rewarded with the cheapest plan at this speed by some margin. You're promised maximum plan speeds, too.<p><strong>• AU$68.90 minimum cost<br /><strong>• AU$826.80 first year cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,066.80 ongoing yearly cost<p><strong>• See more: <a href="https://www.techradar.com/au/best/best-nbn-100-plans"><strong>Best NBN 100 plans

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Fastest NBN 250 plan

Since the arrival of the speed upgrades, only two 250Mbps plans remain. The others have all been boosted to NBN 750 plans. The two providers are Superloop and Aussie Broadband, and it's the former that gets my seal of approval.

Superloop Creator | 250Mbps | AU$85p/m (first 6 months, then AU$99p/m)

<p>Superloop has been a firm favourite of mine for some time and this recently upgraded 250Mbps plan is a tough one to beat. It promises 250Mbps download speeds and up to 100Mbps uploads (85Mbps typical evening speeds). As the plan's name implies, it's a good option for content creators who need to upload large video files. <p><strong>• AU$85 minimum cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,104 first year cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,188 ongoing yearly cost<p><strong>• View more of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-nbn-250-plans"><strong>best NBN 250 plans

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Fastest NBN 500 plan

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

<p>Most providers are promising maximum plan speeds on the NBN 500 tier, yet I'm continuing to select Exetel's offering as it promises, on paper at least, exceptional value. The introductory cost can be beaten by AU$17 from <a href="https://techradar.whistleout.com.au/Transact?pai=2&si=323&gi=392&pi=13585&ct=0&ci=19920&byo=true&ai=42&ppt=0&subtag=hawk-custom-tracking&r=hawk-article-url" target="_blank">Dodo, but the ongoing cost is the only one to come in under AU$1,000. There are other perks too, such as the ability to boost the speed to the next tier up and even save AU$1 a day to downgrade the speed to 12Mbps, ideal if you're away from home for a long time.<p><strong>• AU$80 minimum cost<br /><strong>• AU$960 yearly cost

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Fastest NBN 750 plan

Superloop | 750Mbps | AU$89p/m (first 6 months, then AU$104/m)

<p>Superloop has replaced Flip as my top choice for a fast NBN 750 plan, as Flip no longer claims maximum plan speeds. Superloop however, does advertise the full 750Mbps and is the cheapest provider of those I monitor to do so, securing itself a spot here. Plus, it's eligible for the telco's Speed Boost feature, letting you increase your speed to 1,000Mbps for 24 hours, for free, five times a month.<p><strong>• AU$74 minimum cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,158 first year cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,248 ongoing yearly cost<p><strong>• View more of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/wi-fi-broadband/best-nbn-750-plans"><strong>best NBN 750 plans

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Fastest NBN 1000 plan

Spintel | 900Mbps | AU$89p/m (first 8 months, then AU$99.95p/m)

<p>Spintel now claims the spot for my favourite fast NBN 1000 plan with a huge 900Mbps typical evening speed claim, coupled with an extremely low price of just AU$89p/m for the first 6 months. Even the ongoing cost is well below average, making this one a no-brainer in my opinion.<p><strong>• AU$89 minimum cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,133.70 first year cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,199.40 ongoing yearly cost<p><strong>• See more: <a href="https://www.techradar.com/au/best/best-nbn-1000-plans"><strong>Best NBN 1000 plans

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Fastest NBN 2000 plan

Superloop | 1,700Mbps | AU$145p/m (first 6 months, then AU$165/m)

<p>There's simply no other option in my book at the moment if you want an NBN 2000 plan. Superloop is the only provider of those I monitor to claim a typical evening speed, and at 1,700Mbps, it's a real doozy. Plus, the monthly cost is, I would say, cheap considering what you're getting. In fact, it's the second-cheapest provider in the country. If you demand the very best, look no further.<p><strong>• AU$145 minimum cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,860 first year cost<br /><strong>• AU$1,980 ongoing yearly cost<p><strong>• View more of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/wi-fi-broadband/best-nbn-2000-plans"><strong>best NBN 2000 plans

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Fast NBN plans: Major Telcos

When it comes to the big three internet providers, these are the best fast plans available:

Optus' best high-speed NBN plans

Optus once again changed its plan pricing recently, removing what were attractive 12-month discounts. For now, there's no introductory discounts, but you can score a free 6-month subscription to Kayo Sports when you sign up via Optus SubHub.

The NBN 1000 plan also comes with AU$20 credit included to spend on SubHub subscriptions.

• NBN 100 (100Mbps): AU$99p/m
• NBN 500 (500Mbps): AU$99p/m
• NBN 1000 (800Mbps): AU$129p/m

TPG's best high-speed NBN plans

• NBN 100 (100Mbps): AU$64.99p/m (first 6 months, then AU$94.99p/m)
• NBN 500 (500Mbps): AU$64.99p/m (first 6 months, then AU$94.99p/m)
• NBN 750 (640Mbps): AU$79.99p/m (first 6 months, then AU$99.99p/m)
• NBN 1000 (800Mbps): AU$89.99p/m (first 6 months, then AU$109.99p/m)

Telstra's best high-speed NBN plans

• NBN 100 (100Mbps): AU$95p/m(first 6 months, then AU$113p/m)
• NBN 500 (500Mbps): AU$95p/m(first 6 months, then AU$113p/m)
• NBN 750 (750Mbps): AU$105p/m(first 6 months, then AU$129p/m)
• NBN 1000 (815Mbps): AU$115p/m(first 6 months, then AU$139p/m)

• Telstra vs Optus NBN: who has better broadband?

Fast NBN FAQ