Best wireless internet plans in Australia: Fixed, 5G & mobile broadband compared

Tangerine | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$65.90p/m (for 6 months, then AU$85.90p/m)

Shaving off a massive AU$120 over the first six months, Tangerine's Fixed Wireless Speedy plan is hard to pass up. This plan claims to reach between 200Mbps and 250Mbps during the busy evening hours, which is pretty incredible.

That said, your speeds may differ based on your location, so take that as a word of caution before signing the dotted line.

Total minimum cost: AU$65.90 | Total cost for first year: AU$910.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,030.80

Swoop | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$69p/m (for 6 months, then AU$84p/m)

Swoop is a relative newcomer to the NBN scene but has already been racking up positive reviews. This Swoop fixed wireless plan is one of the cheapest around, and claims to offer up to 73Mbps maximum download speeds. The actual speed you receive may be less, depending on your location to the nearest fixed wireless tower.

Total minimum cost: AU$69 | Total cost for first year: AU$918 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,008

Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G | Uncapped | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$89p/m (for 6 months, then AU$99p/m)

This Optus 5G home internet plan advertises uncapped data speeds, meaning it could potentially rival even the best NBN 1000 plans if you have good coverage — you should be able to reach superfast 240Mbps speeds during the busier evening hours of 7pm to 11pm.

However, if you cancel within 36 months, you will be charged AU$16p/m for any time left on your plan. This makes the minimum cost of an Optus 5G home broadband plan AU$542 if you leave after one month.

Total minimum cost: AU$468 (including modem fee) | Total cost for first year: $AU$1,128 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,188

TPG | 5G Home Broadband Premium | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$54.99p/m (for 6 months, then AU$64.99p/m)

TPG is our pick for the best 5G home internet plan thanks to its fast speeds (up to 100Mbps) and affordable pricing in comparison to its competitors. TPG provides the required modem for free and if you choose to cancel your plan, you need to return it within 21 days. If you don’t, you’ll need to pay a non-return fee, charged at AU$17p/m for every unused month within a 36-month term.

The first month of your plan is free too, so if you find it doesn't quite deliver what you expected, then you are free to leave. You will be required to return the modem within 21 days or you'll be asked to pay a non-return fee.

Total minimum cost: AU$54.99 | Total cost for first year: AU$719.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$779.88

Spintel | 5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$83p/m (for 3 months, then AU$93p/m)

If you're looking for a more affordable 5G option that still delivers superfast speeds, then this Spintel offering is ideal. The plan advertises up to 240Mbps during the busy evening hours, which is pretty standard for uncapped 5G speed tiers. You'll save AU$10p/m for the first three months — that's AU$30 — before the price increases to AU$93p/m ongoing.

That said, this plan does come with a mandatory modem fee of AU$4p/m, so it would typically cost you AU$79p/m during the introductory period. However, like most 5G plans, you will need a compatible modem and likely need to fork out the extra fee for the telco's provided device.

Total minimum cost: AU$54.99 | Total cost for first year: AU$719.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$779.88

TPG | Home Wireless Unlimited | Unlimited data | AU$44.99p/m (for 6 months, then AU$54.99p/m)

The majority of 4G home internet providers only offer up to 20Mbps download speeds (only Optus offers 25Mbps) so choosing the best plan here predominantly comes down to price. This is why we’ve chosen TPG home wireless broadband as our top pick, as it’s the most affordable, due to it not requiring you to pay an upfront modem fee.

Other providers charge similar or less on a monthly basis, but come with a compulsory modem fee upon sign-up.

Total minimum cost: AU$44.99 | Total cost for first year: AU$599.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$659.88

Spintel | 4G Unlimited Wireless Broadband | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$53.95p/m

Much like TPG's 4G option above, this Spintel plan only reaches 25Mbps during the typical evening hours. While TPG has an attractive introductory offer, this plan is more cost-effective long term, as you'll only pay AU$647.40 per year for the plan (excluding the delivery fee) and you won't have to consider the price hike in the first six months.

That said, this plan does come with a mandatory modem fee of AU$4p/m, so it would typically cost you AU$49.95p/m during the introductory period. However, like most 4G plans, you will need a compatible modem and likely need to fork out the extra fee for the telco's provided device.

Total minimum cost: AU$69.95 (including delivery) | Total yearly cost: AU$647.40

Tangerine | Data-only plan | 400GB | No lock-in contract | AU$59.90p/m (for 6 months, then AU$64.90p/m)

If you already have a mobile broadband modem or a tablet, then you can simply pop in this data-only 5G SIM card from Tangerine to unlock 400GB of monthly data.

Tangerine does give you the option of adding a compatible modem, but these can only be purchased outright and not on a monthly payment plan.

Tangerine's 5G mobile broadband network uses parts of the Telstra network, so you should get good coverage when you're out and about. Download speeds on both 4G and 5G networks are capped at 250Mbps.

Total minimum cost: AU$59.90 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$748.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$778.80

Telstra | Upfront Data Plan Small | 30GB data | No lock-in contract | AU$31p/m

Telstra offers the best overall value in our opinion when it comes to 4G mobile broadband, too. You’re able to connect to the ISP’s 4GX network, which doubles the bandwidth of 4G, offering potentially faster speeds. You also get 30GB data included as standard, far more than other providers.

Total minimum cost: AU$169 (1 month plan + 24mth modem cost) | Total cost for 24 months: AU$744 | Yearly cost after 24 months: AU$300