Last updated: 16 May 2026
The NBN offers six standard speed tiers in 2026: NBN 25, 50, 100, 250, 1000 and 2000. NBN 50 is the sweet spot for most Australian households ($70–$85/month). NBN 25 is the entry-level option ($55–$70). NBN 100 ($80–$100) is the right pick for larger households with multiple streamers or gamers. NBN 250 and above are only available on FTTP and HFC connections, and most homes don’t need them.
This guide covers every tier with current 2026 prices, what each one suits, and which provider is the best pick at each speed. For the broader question of how to compare plans, see our how to compare and choose an NBN plan guide.
NBN speed tiers at a glance
NBN plans come in six standard speeds. The table below shows each tier and what it’s best for.
| Plan Name | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Typical 2026 Price | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 25 – Basic II Speed | 25 | 5 | $55–$70/mo | Singles or couples, HD streaming, light browsing |
| NBN 50 – Standard Plus | 50 | 20 | $70–$85/mo | Most families, working from home, multiple video streams |
| NBN 100 – Fast Speed | 100 | 20 | $80–$100/mo | Larger households, 4K streaming, gaming, sharehouses |
| NBN 250 – Superfast | 250 | 25 | $100–$120/mo | Heavy users (FTTP and HFC only) |
| NBN 1000 – Ultrafast | 1000 | 50 | $110–$130/mo | Power users, large multi-user homes (FTTP and HFC only) |
| NBN 2000 – Hyperfast | 2000 | 100 | $180–$220/mo | Edge cases; most homes won’t use it (FTTP only) |
Not every tier is available at every address. Your NBN connection type determines what you can actually use. FTTN, FTTC, FTTB and fixed wireless are capped at NBN 100 even if the plan exists.
Pricing by tier in 2026
Pricing ranges reflect the gap between cheapest providers (Tangerine, Exetel, SpinTel) and premium providers (Aussie Broadband, Telstra). The extra $10–$20/month at the premium end typically buys you better evening speeds and Australian based customer support.
Real evening speeds by tier
The advertised speed on a plan is the maximum. What you actually get during peak hours (7–11pm) is usually a bit lower because everyone in your area is online at the same time. The ACCC publishes quarterly evening speed reports that track real world performance for each provider.
For full detail across all connection types and providers, see our Australian internet speed comparison.
NBN 25 — for whom?
The entry-level tier. 25 Mbps download is enough for one person who doesn’t game and only streams in HD. Couples can usually get by on it too if they don’t both video-call at once. Not enough for families or 4K streaming.
Typical 2026 price: $55–$70/month. Cheapest options: Tangerine, Exetel, SpinTel.
NBN 50 — for whom?
The most popular tier in Australia. Right choice for most households of 2–4 people. Handles two simultaneous HD video calls plus the usual browsing and streaming. Works comfortably for working from home.
Typical 2026 price: $70–$85/month. Best picks: Aussie Broadband, Superloop, Exetel.
NBN 100 — for whom?
For larger households (4+ people), regular 4K streaming on multiple TVs at once, gaming households, or sharehouses. Around half of Australian households who care about speed end up here. NBN 100 is also a smart upgrade from NBN 50 if you spend a lot of time uploading large files.
Typical 2026 price: $80–$100/month. Best picks: Aussie Broadband, Superloop, Internode.
NBN 250 — for whom?
Only available on FTTP and HFC connections. Heavy users who push a lot of data. Video editors uploading project files, content creators, multi-user 4K streaming households. Most homes don’t need this much.
Typical 2026 price: $100–$120/month. Best picks: Aussie Broadband, Superloop.
NBN 1000 — for whom?
Power users on FTTP or HFC who want gigabit speeds. Worth it for large multi-user households doing simultaneous 4K streaming + large file uploads + gaming, or for small home offices with cloud heavy workflows. Overkill for almost everyone else.
Typical 2026 price: $110–$130/month. Best picks: Aussie Broadband, Superloop, Exetel.
NBN 2000 — for whom?
The newest tier. Only available on FTTP connections at addresses that have been specifically provisioned for it. 2 Gbps download and 100 Mbps upload. For most people this is well beyond useful, but it’s there for power users and businesses.
Typical 2026 price: $180–$220/month. Best picks: Aussie Broadband, Superloop (handful of providers offer it).
Which NBN tier should I get?
Quick decision guide based on household size and use:
- 1 person, browsing + Netflix: NBN 25
- 1 person on video calls daily: NBN 50
- Couple or small family (2–3 people): NBN 50
- Family of 4+ with 4K streaming and gaming: NBN 100
- Sharehouse (4+ adults): NBN 100
- Heavy uploaders (video editors, content creators): NBN 250 or 1000
- Cloud-heavy work-from-home setup: NBN 100 or 250
For a deeper buyer’s guide that walks through the entire selection process, see our how to compare NBN plans guide. To explore plans interactively, use our full plan comparison tool. You can filter by speed tier, price, data and provider.
Looking for the cheapest or fastest?
Two specific cuts of the data worth knowing:
- Cheapest NBN plans — our 10 cheapest unlimited NBN plans guide ranks the absolute lowest-priced options across all tiers.
- Fastest NBN plans — our fastest NBN plan available guide tracks the providers with the highest typical evening speeds, based on ACCC data.
Our editor’s picks
The plans below are pulled live from our database. We’ve filtered for plans from providers we recommend with unlimited data. A good starting point if you don’t want to drill through the full comparison tool.
These NBN plans are fast, have plenty of data and all receive excellent reviews from our members. They would be great plans for anyone wanting to work from home.
|
Everyday
25 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$72/mth | Go to site |
|
|
Fixed Wireless Plus
50 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$75/mth | Go to site |
|
|
Home Fast
90 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$79/mth | Go to site |
|
Basic Plus - nbn 25/10
25 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$79/mth | Go to site |
|
|
Extra Value
50 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$85/mth | Go to site |
| Click here to view more great value NBN internet plans for working from home | |||
For a full filterable view of every NBN plan available in Australia, browse our comparison tool or the best NBN plans page.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the most popular NBN plan in Australia?
NBN 50 is the most subscribed tier nationally, followed by NBN 100. Together they cover the majority of fixed-line NBN customers.
What does NBN 100 actually cost?
$80–$100/month in 2026 depending on provider. Tangerine and Exetel sit at the low end. Aussie Broadband and Telstra at the top end.
Is NBN 1000 worth the extra cost?
For most homes, no. NBN 1000 makes sense if you’ve got multiple 4K streams running simultaneously, you upload very large files routinely, or you’re running a small home business. For typical household use, NBN 50 or 100 is plenty.
Can I get NBN 1000 at my address?
Only if you’re on FTTP or HFC. FTTN, FTTC, FTTB, fixed wireless and Sky Muster customers are limited to NBN 100 or below. Check via the NBN Co address checker.
What’s the difference between NBN 25 and NBN 50?
Double the download speed (25 vs 50 Mbps) and four times the upload (5 vs 20 Mbps). Upload is the more practical difference if you do video calls regularly. NBN 25’s 5 Mbps upload is borderline for HD video conferencing.
Can I change my NBN plan?
Yes, easily. Most NBN plans are month-to-month, so you can change tiers or providers any time. If you have a contract, check whether there’s a termination fee. Speed changes within the same provider usually happen overnight.
What’s the average NBN speed Australians get?
Weighted by tier subscriptions, the national average sits around 75–95 Mbps download in 2026. Most users are on NBN 50 or 100, and the better providers deliver close to the advertised maximum during evening peak. See our Australian internet speed comparison for full detail.
For broader context: our NBN vs Broadband vs Wireless hub covers whether NBN is even the right choice for you (vs 5G home wireless or Starlink). To pick a plan now, use the NBN plan finder or comparison tool.
