It’s been a year since my last report on NBN Co’s wholesale price increases, and I find myself doing the same thing again. Yes, we’re fast approaching the start of a new financial year in Australia, and while that means some great deals and discounts are on the horizon thanks to EOFY sales, it also means NBN plan prices are set for a hike.
As was the case last year, I am not entirely shocked by this news, as NBN Co has made its position on price adjustments clear within the regulatory framework of its Special Access Undertaking (SAU) which was revised in 2023 and subsequently accepted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). It currently presents pricing roadmaps until June 30, 2029.
What effect this will have on top NBN plans from July 1 (or shortly after) remains to be seen, but the wholesale increases are higher than they were this time last year, at between AU$0.66 and AU$1.71. Although we do not yet know if and how these wholesale price increases will affect the monthly cost to consumers, I have some experience in making logical assumptions.
Last year I saw slower packages – NBN 25 and NBN 50 – increase by up to AU$5p/m. Prices for NBN 100 plans have also increased with some providers. However, the price of faster plans such as NBN 1000 has steadily declined. So this year I expect similar steps to be taken, as there is obviously pressure for more Australians to sign up to the faster NBN plans.
Lock in before it’s too late
The good news is that there are ways to avoid being affected by the changes, and that is 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 switch to a new supplier offering a discount, they will have to honor it, meaning you can avoid expected price increases for much longer.
Note that once your introductory discount period ends, you will have to pay the new current rate for your chosen plan, even if it has increased. Your ISP should contact you in advance to detail any price increases you can expect.
So, which packages do I currently recommend? Kogan Internet’s NBN 500 plan is a great place to start, as it comes with a full 12 month discount and a low cost of just AU$71.90/m.
Of the 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 launch cost on the faster NBN 1000 speed tier.
If you’re considering switching, below are all my current recommendations for the different NBN speed tiers. I’ve included the current ongoing monthly charges, but note that this is subject to change:
