How To Change NBN Providers?

Moving to the NBN — or changing your existing NBN service to a new provider — doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Whether you’re unhappy with your current provider or you’re looking for a cheaper plan, changing NBN providers can be a simple process.

The completion of the NBN rollout means most Australians might already be on an NBN plan. But with so many plans on offer, it can be hard to choose which provider is right for you, especially if you’re looking for a better value NBN plan. So if you’re ready to switch NBN providers, here’s an easy guide to a stress-free NBN transition, including all the answers to your most-asked questions.

NBN plans you might like

The following table shows a selection of sponsored unlimited data Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50), and Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.

Unlimited Home Standard (NBN 50) Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost (excluding discounts), from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Unlimited Home Fast (NBN 100) Plans

The table below shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

How to change NBN providers

Changing NBN providers might seem like a daunting task, but once you break it down into steps, it’s not as hard a process as you might think. Indeed, the hardest part about it might be deciding which NBN plan and provider you should sign up to. Taking it a step at a time might be the best way to go, so we’ll break it up into four simple steps to help you switch NBN providers.

1. Check your devices and services

If you’re preparing to switch to the NBN for the first time, there’s a few things to be aware of before making the change. Certain devices that use existing telephone and copper lines may not be compatible with the technology used in the NBN — for example, medical alarms, fire alarms, security systems, EFTPOS terminals, and fax machines. If you own or use a device that may be impacted by a switch to the NBN, contact your device provider to find out what you need to do before changing your broadband plan.

If you’d like to keep your existing home phone number, you’ll need to let your intended provider know at sign-up. You should be able to port your old number easily when changing plans or switching to the NBN network, but make sure you get confirmation from your new provider.

2. Find a plan

The hardest part of changing NBN providers can be deciding which plan and provider to sign up to. Generally, if NBN is available in your area, you should have no issues switching over. Your first step is to do your research and decide which provider and plan is right for you — you can compare a wide range of NBN plans and providers with Canstar Blue’s free NBN comparison tool to get started.

The main thing you’ll need to consider is which NBN speed tier is going to best suit your needs. Once you know which speed tier you need, you might want to set a realistic budget to help you narrow down your NBN provider choices, although you might also want to compare a range of cheap NBN plans. If you value customer service and want to know what other Aussies think of their NBN provider, you can check out Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers ratings for NBN providers.

You may also want to factor in whether you want to BYO modem or get a new modem, along with any setup costs, as well as deciding if you want a contract or month-to-month plan, along with any extras you might want on your plan, such as bundled services or entertainment extras. You’ll also want to check which particular NBN technology is available at your address (such as Fibre to the Premises, Fibre to the Node, or HFC), as this can have an impact on your maximum plan speed — entering your address in NBN Co’s coverage checker will also confirm the connection type available to your home.

Which NBN speed do I need?

There are several NBN speed tiers to choose from which suit a range of household sizes and internet needs. It’s important to be realistic about what activities you mainly use the internet for and which speed you’ll really need, as the speed tiers often determine how much you pay for your NBN plan. While fast NBN speeds might be appealing, if you don’t really need those fast speeds, you might be better off saving some money by choosing a slower speed tier.

Consider how large your household is, how many devices you have connected to the internet (such as TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, etc) and what you use the internet for. High intensity activities like online gaming, video streaming and video calls — essential if you work or study from home — will usually require a higher NBN speed compared to households that only use the internet for general web browsing and checking emails.

If you’re ready to compare NBN plans, we’ve picked out a selection of offers on several speed tiers in the tables below.

Unlimited NBN 100 Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Unlimited NBN 50 Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Unlimited NBN 25 Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 25 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Unlimited NBN 12 Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 12 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

If you’re on a compatible FTTP or HFC connection, you may be eligible for a super fast NBN plan, such as NBN 250 or NBN 1000. These ultra-fast speeds are available from selected providers, but generally cost around $100 or more per month. Overall, the faster your plan, the more you’ll pay per month, so you’ll need to find a balance between speed and spending to get the most from your service.

It’s also important to note that speeds can vary between providers, even when plans are offered on the same speed tier. When comparing, you’ll want to look at the Typical Evening Speed that is listed by each telco to determine how your plan is likely to perform. For more information on navigating NBN evening speeds (and for tips on how to find the fastest plan for each budget), check out our typical evening speed guide.

3. Sign up with your new provider

Once you’ve found your perfect plan, it’s time to sign up, but don’t cancel your current plan just yet. You can order your new plan online, but if you’re new to the NBN you may want to call your provider first to check over installation requirements. Be aware, your new service provider may also want to do a credit check before you properly sign up.

You may need to make a time for an NBN technician to drop by complete your installation, but again, this isn’t guaranteed. Your new provider will be able to advise you on connection dates, installation options, and anything else you need to know to make the switch as easy as possible. Generally, a switch-over from one NBN service to another will take between one and three business days, but this will depend on a range of factors. If you can’t live without the internet, you might want some back up alternatives like mobile broadband, but you should be able to line up the new service with the cancellation date for your old plan.

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4. Break up with your old telco

Once you’ve set up a switch with your new telco, you’ll need to let your current provider know you’ve decided to jump ship. Check that you’re not going to be stuck with any annoying cancellation fees, and make sure you have a clear disconnection date, so you’ll know in advance if there will be any down time between your old broadband cutting off and your new NBN service going live.

Your old provider may also ask for the return of any rented modems that were included in your previous plan. If this is the case, make sure you have a new compatible NBN-ready modem/router lined up — you can either buy one yourself, or you can usually purchase a pre-configured device from your new NBN provider. If you’re using an email address connected to your old plan, you may also want to forward future emails to another account, or back up any important messages before disconnecting.

How do I know if I have NBN available?

While the NBN rollout is now complete, if you haven’t used NBN at your address before, or you’re unsure about whether you have NBN available if you’ve just moved to a new home, you can enter your address at NBN Co’s address checker to see if you have NBN services available or not, along with which NBN connection type your home has.

NBN Co is rolling out fibre upgrades to millions of homes and businesses across the country, so you might be eligible for a fibre upgrade to your home. This means your home will be able to access faster NBN speeds, such as NBN 250 and NBN 1000.

How long does it take to switch NBN providers?

While most NBN connections can be completed in one to three business days, some customers may experience a longer waiting period. Connection times may vary for a variety of reasons, including your location, the type of NBN technology your home will connect with, and if your property is already NBN-ready.

If this is the first time NBN has been connected at your address, you’ll likely need to make an appointment for an NBN technician to install and activate your new service. You can organise an installation time with your telco, so you won’t need to contact NBN Co directly. Depending on your address and the availability of technicians in your area, the next available appointment may be several weeks away: your telco will be able to advise you further when you place your order.

If you don’t require a visit from an NBN technician, you may be given the option of installing your modem and service yourself. Customers who choose the self-install option will receive full instructions on how to complete the process, usually sent out with your provider’s modem.

Do I have to pay for NBN installation?

Standard NBN installation is free (including the appointment with a technician). However, if your home is considered to be a new development — i.e. a newly-built property with no existing connections — you might need to pay an NBN New Development Fee of up to $300. Your telco will advise you if this fee applies before you finalise your order, so you won’t be hit with a surprise charge after you’ve already signed up.

If you’ve arranged an installation time but need to cancel or reschedule, you may incur a cancellation fee if you provide less than 48 hours notice. Your telco can advise you on their specific cancellation policy when you make your appointment.

Read more: Is NBN installation free?

What happens during NBN installation?

If you’ve set up a time to have your NBN installed, there’s a few things you’ll need to know in advance.

An individual over the age of 18 needs to be present for all NBN technician visits.
Installation may take several hours, depending on your connection type and requirements.
Your technician will require easy access to the areas where your equipment will be installed, so make sure children and pets are kept safe and out of the way.
Most connections require the installation of an outdoor utility box, plus an interior connection or socket inside your home.
If you need to nominate an indoor connection spot, look for somewhere central near an existing phone socket and electrical outlet. Ideally, you’ll want somewhere that’s easy to reach, but out-of-the-way to prevent accidental damage.
Once your installation is complete, your technician will test your connection and service speeds, and ask you to confirm that you’re satisfied.

Keep in mind that after your service is installed and activated, it may take up to 48 hours for your internet service to be fully up-and-running.

Switching NBN

Connecting to the NBN as a renter

If you’re renting a home or apartment that isn’t already connected to the NBN, you’ll need to inform your landlord, property manager, or real estate estate of your plans to move to the network. As new connections typically require the equipment of installation in and around your home, a landlord or manager’s approval is needed before technicians make any changes to property.

Your landlord may request to be present during the NBN installation, and may also want to decide where the equipment will be installed and connected. However, this also means that they’ll likely cover the costs of any extra installation fees incurred during the connection process.

Changing to a different internet type

Instead of changing NBN providers, if you’re already on the NBN, but unhappy with your service on the network, you may have the option to move to a completely different kind of broadband. Depending on your location, you may have access to non-NBN fibre networks, such as OptiComm, Spirit, or Lightning Broadband, or be able to connect to other fixed-line networks operated by providers including TPG and iiNet.

These fibre options aren’t available everywhere, however, and are more likely to be offered in new development areas or in apartment blocks. If you don’t have access to a fixed-line NBN alternative, you may want to try mobile broadband or home wireless broadband: both these broadband types use the same 4G and 5G mobile networks that connect your phone to the internet when you’re away from WiFi.

Mobile broadband is designed to be portable, and is great for tablets and laptops. Home wireless broadband is marketed as a home internet solution, and is probably more suitable if you’re looking to replace your NBN plan completely.

If you do decide to change from the NBN to another broadband type, you can follow the steps above to cancel your NBN plan and sign on with a new provider. If you’re connecting to a different fibre network, you may need a technician visit to set up your service, but your new provider can advise you at sign up. If you’re changing to home wireless or mobile broadband, you’ll be sent a new modem, SIM card, dongle or hotspot (depending on your service and plan), which you can easily activate yourself for more-or-less instant internet.

Is it worth switching NBN providers?

If you’re unhappy with your current NBN service, switching providers could be the way to go. Keep in mind that slow service could be about your NBN speed tier not meeting your needs and you might need a faster NBN plan — however you should always run a speed test to compare your NBN plan speeds against what speed tier your plan is on.

It’s still possible that changing NBN providers might not solve problems you have with your service, as there might be other issues affecting your internet connection. However, if you just want to change to a better deal, cheaper plan or you want a different provider, switching NBN plans could be the way to go.

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