Fastest NBN plans: 100Mbps, 250Mbps, 500Mbps, 750Mbps and 1,000Mbps internet plans compared

The fastest NBN plans are ideal for larger households, 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.

It's because NBN Co has introduced new speed tiers, comprising speed boosts to current plans, along with a new tier known as NBN 2000. And for homes that connect via fibre to the premises (FTTP) or hybrid fibre coax (HFC) technology, a 500Mbps plan is now the minimum – you can still sign up for the best NBN 50 plans if you want, but I think the faster options deliver such good value, that I simply can't recommend them.

If you don't connect via either of those technologies, perhaps you're in an apartment building, then a 100Mbps is the fastest you can get if you connect to the NBN. Private networks also exist in some instances, and these can potentially get you faster speeds.

I'm focusing on NBN plans only here though, so if you're ready to upgrade your home internet and experience faster downloads, read on to discover my top recommendations.

Can you get NBN 250, NBN 500 or NBN 1000?

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.

Fastest NBN plans

Fastest NBN 100 plan

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

If your home doesn't connect to the NBN via FTTP or HFC, then the fastest download speeds you can achieve are 100Mbps. With this in mind, and the fact the vast majority of providers promise maximum plan speeds, I've selected Kogan Internet as it's the most affordable provider in the first year of service. Plus, the telco has a price pledge that will refund you double the difference if you manage to find a cheaper plan elsewhere.

• 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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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)

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.

• AU$85 minimum cost
• AU$1,104 first year cost
• AU$1,188 ongoing yearly cost

• View more of the best NBN 250 plans

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Fastest NBN 500 plan

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

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 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.

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

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Fastest NBN 750 plan

Flip | 750Mbps | AU$74p/m (first 8 months, then AU$89.90p/m)

Flip has flipped the switch on the speed boosts, and perhaps in celebration, it's offering a huge 8-month discount on the 750Mbps plan. It promises maximum plan speeds during the busier evening hours and, with the discount, represents exceptional value.

• AU$74 minimum cost
• AU$951.60 first year cost
• AU$1,078.80 ongoing yearly cost

• View more of the best NBN 750 plans

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Fastest NBN 1000 plan

Flip | 850Mbps | AU$89p/m (first 8 months, then AU$104.90p/m)

Flip gets my vote for a gigabit plan too as it also gets an 8-month discount at the time of writing. One thing to note here though, is that the telco's typical evening speed claim has dropped from 900Mbps to 850Mbps. This can be betted by Buddy for example, which advertises 875Mbps.

• AU$89 minimum cost
• AU$1,131.60 first year cost
• AU$1,258.80 ongoing yearly cost

• See more: Best NBN 1000 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 has recently removed the NBN 250 tier from its line up, and has changed the way it does introductory discounts. Select plans have a AU$15p/m saving for 12 months, or you can save AU$15p/m for 12 months if you add an NBN service to an eligible mobile service.

• NBN 100 (100Mbps): AU$84p/m (first 12 month, then AU$99p/m)
• NBN 500 (500Mbps): AU$84p/m (first 12 month, then AU$99p/m)
• NBN 1000 (800Mbps): AU$114p/m (first 12 months, then 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$113p/m
• NBN 500 (450Mbps): AU$113p/m
• NBN 750 (675Mbps): AU$129p/m
• NBN 1000 (815Mbps): AU$139p/m

• Telstra vs Optus NBN: who has better broadband?

Fast NBN FAQ