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Best internet plans in Australia this month (December 2023)

If you're looking for Australia's best internet plans, then stop looking. Each month we compare hundreds of plans to deliver the best value plans across the country.

Best NBN 100 plan
Exetel
Exetel Family nbn100/20
  • bullet
    $68.99/mth
    $16/mth off for the first six months
  • pro
    UNLIMITED data plan
  • pro
    100 Mbps speed
Plan
Price
Data
More info
Best NBN 50 plan
Tangerine TelcomValue Plus NBN
$59.90/mth
for the first six months
UNLIMITED data
50 Mbps speeds
Best 5G home internet
Iinet5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
for the first six months
UNLIMITED data
50 Mbps speeds
Best 4G home internet
TPGHome Wireless Broadband
$44.99/mth
for the first six months
UNLIMITED data
16 Mbps speeds
Cheapest internet plan
TPGHome Wireless Broadband
$44.99/mth
for the first six months
UNLIMITED data
16 Mbps speeds
Anula Wiwatowska
Dec 03, 2023
bullet7 min read

We may earn money when you click our links.

In this guide:

Best NBN 100 plan

Exetel Family nbn100/20


🔥 Deal: Save $16/mth: $68.99 for first six months, then $84.99/mth.

How we picked this plan: 

  • This NBN 100 plan has the lowest total cost across a 12-month period

In December, Exetel has the best value NBN 100 internet plan going for just $68.99 per month. This is however a promotional price with an in-built saving of $16 each month from the usual retail price of $84.99.

Despite the promotional pricing, the Exetel is still one of the cheapest NBN 100 plans over 12 months. While the discount does help, the plan is also sans activation and cancellation fees, and you can bring your own modem so there are no additional costs there either.

In total, one year on this Exetel plan comes to $923, or just over $75 per month. This fee will get you unlimited data at typical evening speeds of 95Mbps down and 17Mbps up - both of which are a little bit under the best possible performance for an NBN 100 plan, but still in the upper echelon of evening speeds.

For comparison, below are the cheapest internet plans with NBN 100 speeds:

How to compare internet plans


Internet plans are never going to be one-size-fits-all, and while we do our best to bring you the best value option, our pick may not be right for you. If you're looking to compare internet plans there are four main elements to consider;

  • Yearly cost
  • Additional fees
  • Speed
  • Connection type

Yearly cost

Most internet plans come with a honeymoon price for the first few months before reverting back to its proper pricing. Some of these prices can be vastly different, so unless you're keen to jump ship every six months it pays to look at the total yearly cost of your plan.

In our search engine you can simply toggle your search to sort by yearly price, but if you like math then by all means calculate away! 

Additional fees

On top of the monthly plan fees there are a handful of other hidden costs that may just come back to bite you if you're not aware of them. Things like set-up, cancellation, and modem fees are the most common additional costs to consider when comparing internet plans.

Some of these fees are overt, while others are a bit sneakier so make sure your read the fine print before committing. Providers such as Optus for example may promote a free modem, which is actually only free if you stay on your plan for 36-months. 

To avoid the biggest pitfalls, look for BYO modem plans first and foremost and pick yourself up an NBN modem seperately that can come with you between providers.

Speed

Make sure you're picking an internet speed that can accomodate everything you need to do online. The more people in your home, doing more things online, the faster the speed you'll need. 

Pro tip: If you work from home, pay close attention to upload speeds. These have a huge effect on sending large files and video calling.

Connection type

Whether you're on the NBN, or looking for an alternative you'll need to consider what kind of connection you have access to to gauge your options. NBN 250 and NBN 1000 for example are only available to customers on Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC), while Fibre to the Node (FTTN) customers may struggle to get a solid NBN 100 connection.

It is the same if you're considering an NBN alternative like 4G or 5G. These home internet plans are only available if you're in a coverage area, and even if you are you may not be able to get a plan anyway. Telstra for example limits the number of customers able to get a 5G home internet plan in each eligible postcode. 

Best NBN 50 plan

Tangerine Value Plus NBN


🔥 Deal: Save $20/mth - $59.90 for first six months, then $79.90/mth.

How we picked this plan: 

  • In our database, this NBN 50 plan has the lowest total cost over a 12-month period

When it comes to NBN 100 plans, Tangerine has taken out the spot for best NBN 50 internet plan this month. Down to $59.90 for the first six months, the Tangerine Value Plus NBN will set you back a total of $838.80 over 12-months - the equivelant of $69.90 per month.

This unlimited internet plan comes with unlimited data (duh), BYO modem, and typical evening speeds of 50Mbps down and 17Mbps up.

Here are some other cheap internet plans with NBN 50 speeds for comparison:

Best 5G home internet plan

iiNet 5G Home Broadband Plus


🔥 Deal: First month's plan fees free + Save $10/mth: $49.99/mth for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth.

How we picked this plan: 

  • In our database, this 5G home internet plan has the lowest total cost over a 12-month period

iiNet 5G Home Broadband Plus is the best value 5G home internet plan available in Australia this month. The provider will pay the first month's plan fees, but every month after that will cost you $59.99. That comes out to $659.89 for the year, which is $113 cheaper than the cheapest NBN 50 plan

While you can't bring your own modem for a 5G plan, you won't need to pay a modem fee for the iiNet modem unless you forget to send it back when you're done with it. Ultimately the provider lets you borrow the modem, and if you decide to cancel your plan you can just send it back - no charge. If you don't send it back however, you'll need to pay $17 for every month shy of 36-months that you've been with the provider. Probably better to keep the box on this one.

These plan speeds are the equivelant of an NBN 50 plan - 50Mbps down, and 14Mbps up. The typical download speed is excellent but the upload is a little bit on the slower side than the fixed line equivelant. Outside of peak hours you can anticipate slightly better speeds, but depending on your proximity to a Vodafone 5G tower they may also end up slower. Make sure you check the 5G coverage maps before committing to a plan.

Below are more 5G home wireless plans for comparison:

What is home wireless internet and is it right for me?


Home wireless internet is an internet plan that utilises a mobile network, rather than a fixed line cable. It works much the same as your phone does to connect to the internet, it will pick up a signal from a nearby tower and use that to get you online.

There are many upshots of home wireless broadband plans - they're generally cheaper than NBN, they don't require any technicians, and they have higher speed potential for many customers. However they won't be right for everyone. To have a solid wireless connection you'll need to be in a good coverage area, and preferably one with 5G. 

Speeds on 4G wireless plans are capped to around 20Mbps which is slow by any standard, while 5G plans start at 50Mbps and scale up to uncapped speeds. These are excellent value, but you'll be limited by how good the network coverage is near you. These connections are also more prone to congestion than typical fixed line technologies which could see speeds slow more substantially at peak times.

In saying that, these plans carry little to no risk. All home wireless internet plans are contract free, with almost every provider allowing you to send back your modem for no additional cost. If you're interested in exploring NBN alternatives, then these are your best bet. Just make sure you read the Customer Information Statement (CIS) closely to make sure you don't end up on the hook for a hefty modem fee.

Best 4G home internet plan

TPG Home Wireless Broadband


🔥 Deal: First month plan fees free + Save $10/mth: $44.99/mth for first 6 months, then $54.99/mth. Offer ends: 05 December 2023

How we picked this plan: 

  • In our database, this 4G home internet plan has the lowest total cost over a 12-month period

TPG takes out the top spot for the best value 4G home wireless plan with it's aptly names Home Wireless Broadband plan. Plan fees are $54.99 per month, or $49.99 for existing TPG customers but you'll get the first month free either way. For new customers this plan comes to $604.89 for the first year, or $549.89 for those already with the provider.

The 4G modem is included within the cost of the service, but just like iiNet's 5G plan you'll need to return it if you cancel your plan or risk paying a fee. 

The largest compromise for the low price of the TPG Home Wireless plan is the speeds. Typical evening speeds are 16Mbps down and 2Mbps up, which is just a touch faster than an NBN 12 plan. 

Below are more 4G home wireless plans, some with faster typical evening speeds and similar prices - check out Spintel for an excellent alternative.

Australia's cheapest home internet plan

TPG Home Wireless Broadband


🔥 Deal: First month plan fees free + Save $10/mth: $44.99/mth for first 6 months, then $54.99/mth. Offer ends: 05 December 2023

How we picked this plan: 

  • In our database, this home internet plan has the lowest total cost over a 12-month period, and at least 200GB of included data

The TPG Home Wireless Broadband plan is currently the cheapest home internet plan in Australia. Thanks to a promotional discount, the plan goes for $44.99/mth for the first six months before shooting up to $54.99/mth thereafter. This comes to $599.88 for the whole year. 

Speed is a major compromise on this plan, the typical evening speed is 15Mbps down and a lowly 2Mbps up. Still though, if you need a cheap plan, this one is worth looking at.

Below are more of the cheapest internet plans available in Australia right now. 4G and 5G plans dominate this category, so if you're in a 5G area then you're in a good spot.

How we pick the best internet plans plans

We utilise the WhistleOut database to compare internet plans every month. This database holds hundreds of plans, from over 30 broadband providers, all that are updated daily to reflect the current state of the industry.

We pick the best internet plans in Australia by calculating the lowest cost per 12-month period across each category. These costs include promotional pricing if it runs for at least six months, set up fees, and any compulsary modem fees. 

Internet Plans FAQs

How do internet plans work?

Almost all internet plans all follow a postpaid framework - you'll pay for the previous month after it has ended. Some plans will have additional costs like modem fees, or set up costs that are usually one time payments frontloaded to when you sign up to the plan. 

What does the minimum charge mean on internet plans?

The minimum total cost on an internet plan is the lowest total cost that a customer is required to pay. This minimum takes into account monthly plan fees, set-up costs, and any applicable device fees.

Plans with contract terms will have higher minimum fees as they include the monthly connection charge for each month in the contracted term.

How can I change internet plan?

Changing internet plan is easier than you'd think. For NBN you simply need to order a new plan, and usually the switch over will be done in a couple of hours. You don't neccessarily need to contact your old ISP, but it is best practice to give them a call and let them know the change has been made so you don't get charged from two at a time.

If you're switching away from the NBN, then you'll need to contact your provider when your new modem arrives and you officially get started with your new connection type.

Are all internet plans unlimited?

Not all internet plans are unlimited in Australia, but most of them are. Some providers such as Aussie Broadband still offer plans with capped data for a lower pricepoint, but by-and-large most Australian internet plans are unlimited.

Anula Wiwatowska
Written by
Anula Wiwatowska
Anula is the Content and Social Media Editor within the Reviews.org extended universe, writing across Reviews.org/au and WhistleOut. Working in the tech space since 2020, she covers phone and internet plans, gadgets, smart devices, and the intersection of technology and lifestyle. After a year in the sector, Anula was shortlisted for Best New Journalist at the IT Journalism Awards in 2021. Apart from putting serious words on the internet, Anula strategises and creates social-first content, and researches by getting lost in TikTok for hours on end. If she isn’t in front of her computer, you’ll find Anula drawing somewhere cozy, pretending that she knows how to use power tools in the yard, or playing with her dog with a strong martini in one hand.

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