It’s been a year since I last reported on NBN Co’s wholesale price increases, and I find myself doing the same again. Yes, we’re fast approaching the start of a new financial year in Australia, and while that means some excellent deals and discounts are on the horizon by way of the EOFY sales, it does also mean that NBN plan prices are set for a hike.
As was the case last year, I’m not entirely shocked by this news, as NBN Co made clear its stance on pricing adjustments within its Special Access Undertaking (SAU) regulatory framework that was revised in 2023, and subsequently accepted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). It currently lays out pricing roadmaps up to June 30, 2029.
The effect that will have on the best NBN plans come July 1 (or shortly thereafter) remains to be seen, but the wholesale increases are higher than they were this time last year at AU$0.66 to AU$1.71. While we don’t yet know if and how these wholesale price increases will affect the monthly cost to consumers, I do have some experience to make some logical assumptions.
Last year, I saw slower plans — NBN 25 and NBN 50 — increase by up to AU$5p/m. NBN 100 plan prices also increased with select providers. However, the faster plans such as NBN 1000 steadily decreased in price. This year, then, I’m expecting similar moves to be made, as there’s evidently a push for more Australians to sign up for the fastest NBN plans.
Lock in before it’s too late
The good news is that there are ways you can avoid being affected by the changes, and that’s to switch your NBN plan to a new provider offering an introductory discount.
Most providers offer a discount for the first 6 months, while some are currently offering a full year of savings, including Kogan Internet and Vodafone. If you do switch to a new provider offering a discount, they’ll need to honour it, meaning you can avoid the expectant price hikes for a good deal longer.
Do note that once your introductory discount period comes to an end, you’ll need to pay the new ongoing rate for your chosen plan, even if it has increased. Your ISP should contact you ahead of time detailing the price increases you can expect.
So, which plans do I currently recommend? Kogan Internet’s NBN 500 plan is a great starting point, as it comes with a full 12-month discount and a low cost of just AU$71.90p/m.
Across other speed tiers, Spintel and Dodo are great options, offering the cheapest introductory rates for six months on the NBN 25 and NBN 50 speed tiers, respectively. Dodo also has the cheapest introductory cost on the faster NBN 1000 speed tier.
If you’re considering switching, below are all my current recommendations across the different NBN speed tiers. I’ve included the current ongoing monthly charge, but do note this has the potential to change:
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