NBN address check: How to check NBN availability

Fact Checked

Now that the initial build of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is complete, over 12 million homes and businesses across Australia have access to the NBN network. However, as of March this year, there were still over 3.5 million homes and businesses yet to connect to an NBN plan.

If you’re not connected yet, you’re probably wondering if  the network is available in your area. And if you are connected, but unhappy with your speed or service, you may also have questions about upgrading your service, or even ditching the NBN altogether. Here’s Canstar Blue’s easy guide to checking NBN availability (and what to do next if you’re ready to connect).

How to run an NBN address check

Your first step is checking the address of your home and business to see if an NBN connection is available at your location. You can do this by following the links to provider websites in tables on this page, or by heading to the NBN Co’s address checker.

Enter your street address in the ‘Check Your Address’ tool found on your intended service provider or NBN Co’s website. The tool will let you know if your location is ready to connect, and will also indicate the NBN connection type available at your address. NBN connection types refer to the way your home or business will physically connect to the NBN network, and include the below options:

• Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
• Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
• Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
• Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
• Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
• Fixed Wireless
• SkyMuster Satellite

Knowing your ‘NBN type’ is important, as the NBN speed available to you will depend on the type of technology used to connect your residence. If you’re a FTTP or HFC customer, you’ll most likely have access to the fastest plans on offer, but Sky Muster or Fixed Wireless users may be restricted to slower speeds. You’ll be given a list of compatible plans for your NBN type when you enter your address on a provider’s website.

If you’re eligible for NBN

If you’re eligible to connect, in addition to indicating your NBN connection type, an NBN check should also let you know your neighbourhood’s cut-off date for its existing fixed-line internet and home phone services — i.e. the date when your current ADSL, cable, or home phone line will switch off.

Once the NBN is live in your street, you typically have up to 18 months to move your services to the network (or, if you don’t plan to switch, find an NBN alternative). After this grace period, existing fixed broadband connections (such as ADSL and ADSL2+) and home phone services will cease to operate in your area, so you’ll need to arrange a new service before the cut-off date if you want to avoid any time without home internet.

Other devices and services that may be affected by a move to the NBN, or by the switch-off of old copper wire networks, include medical alarms, fire alarms, security systems, EFTPOS terminals, and fax machines. If you rely on any of these in your home or workplace, make sure you contact your device or system provider before you switch to an NBN plan to find out the options available at your location.

Compare NBN plans and prices

Not sure where to start when it comes to NBN plans or providers? Check out some options below. The table below contains affiliate links.

• NBN Sponsored Plans
• NBN50 Plans
• NBN100 Plans

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.

Sponsored Products

Enthusiast nbn 100 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $105) Typical evening speed of 97Mbps Get 5,000 Everyday Rewards points when you sign up online to any internet plan. Plus enjoy 12mths Paramount+ at no extra cost. Bundle with Origin Energy to save up to $420 over 12 mnths. T&Cs Apply.

Unlimited Data/month

$105 Cost/month

Go to Site

SL Bundle nbn 100 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $79.99) Typical evening speed of 96Mbps Price Beat Guarantee: TPG will beat any price on high-speed NBN, from Eligible Providers, over your first 12mths. Submit claim within 7 days of sign up. Available until withdrawn. T&C apply.

Unlimited Data/month

$79.99 Cost/month

Go to Site

Essential+ nbn plan 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $75) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps Save $5/mth on plan fees when you already have a mobile plan with us. Plus get 6mths BINGE when you add Hubbl at checkout. Offer ends 25/08/24. T&Cs Apply.

Unlimited Data/month

$75.00 Cost/month

Go to Site

View all nbn plans listed on Canstar Blue

*^View important information

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.

Alternatives to the NBN

If you’ve ran an NBN check but you’re not yet eligible for an NBN connection, you do have options. You can stick with your current internet service and wait until the NBN eventually goes live in your area. You can look to a permanent NBN alternative, such as mobile or home wireless broadband, a privately-owned fibre broadband network, or a Starlink satellite plan. 

How to switch to the NBN after an address check

If your NBN address check shows that your home is ready to connect Canstar Blue has compiled a detailed step-by-step guide to changing to the NBN (or simply changing NBN providers). For a quick look at what to do next, you can follow the tips below.

1. Check NBN plans and providers
2. Check NBN speeds
3. Sign up with your new NBN provider

Check NBN plans and providers

If you’re ready to get started with the NBN, you can compare plans and providers on Canstar Blue’s simple NBN comparison tool. The main things you’ll want to check when comparing plans include:

• Monthly price
• Speed tier
• Data inclusions
• Setup costs
• Length of contract
• Modem options

To get you started, we’ve selected popular plans across each of the four main NBN speed tiers in the below table. If you’re interested in any of the plans in the below table (or on our NBN comparison tool), you can click through to go directly to each provider’s site and start the sign-up process.

Check NBN speeds

Depending on your location, connection type, and choice of provider, you’ll be able to pick from the following NBN speed tiers:

NBN 12 is the slowest, NBN 1000 the fastest — and the quicker the speed tier, the more expensive your plan will be.

The speed available to you will depend on the type of technology used to connect your residence to the NBN. If you’re a FTTP or HFC customer, you’ll most likely have access to all speed tiers, but satellite or fixed wireless users may be restricted to slower speeds. You’ll be given a list of compatible plans for your NBN type when you check your address on a provider’s website.

Sign up to your new NBN plan

Once you’ve ran an NBN address check and picked an NBN plan, you can order your new service online, or call your intended new provider to talk over the details and organise an installation. A first-time NBN connection will most likely require a visit from an NBN technician to install and activate your service, but your provider will be in touch with all the info you need once you’ve signed up.

If you’re looking for more information on NBN installation, activation, and connections, we’ve got all your FAQs covered in our NBN switching guide.

Can I change my technology type?

If you’re on a fibre plan, but want to upgrade to FTTP, you may be able to do so through NBN Co’s Technology Choice Program. This allows you to change the infrastructure at your home to FTTP, but the process isn’t free, and prices vary depending on your location and existing connection type.

However, NBN Co has announced it is investing in upgrading millions of already-connected FTTN and FTTC addresses, to enable more Aussies to access the fastest speed tiers available. To find out how this works and if you’re eligible, read our guide to NBN Co’s fibre upgrade program.