Best cheap NBN plans: get quality internet from AU$39

Flip | NBN 12 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract AU$39p/m (for 5 months, then AU$52.90p/m)

Flip is the only provider we can find that offers an NBN plan for under AU$40 per month. However, it's only for the first six months of the service, before it increases to AU$52.90p/m.

While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend an NBN 12 plan (see below), this plan may be perfect for a single-person household with minimal internet usage (e.g. social media scrolling and not much else) that wants to maximise their savings as much as possible.

Total minimum cost: AU$39 | Total first year cost: AU$565.30 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$634.80

Flip | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$39p/m (for 5 months, then AU$57.90p/m)

Flip again enters the under AU$40 category for arguably the best NBN 25 plan. It advertises the maximum 25Mbps download speeds during the busy evening hours of 7pm to 11pm and is the cheapest 25Mbps plan in Australia.

Typically costing AU$44p/m for the first 5 months, the plan has been slashed by AU$5 to just AU$39p/m. Plus it costs the same as the telco's NBN 12 plan above, so you could score double the speeds for the same price, which is pretty damn good value to us.

Again, we would recommend 25Mbps downloads as a minimum, so this plan could be perfect for a couple or single-person household that wants moderate browsing capability for a decent price.

Total minimum cost: AU$39 | Total first year cost: AU$600.30 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$694.80

Tangerine | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$47.90p/m (for 6 months, then AU$67.90p/m)

Tangerine has long-running promo prices across its NBN plans, and this offering is one of the most reasonable prices you’ll pay for an NBN 25 connection. You’ll save AU$20 a month over your first six months — that's AU$100 total — before the price increases to AU$67.90. Typical evening speeds clock in at a respectable 25Mbps.

Total minimum cost: AU$47.90 | Total first year cost: AU$694.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$814.80

Spintel | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$47p/m (for 6 months, then AU$59.95p/m)

Offering an AU$12.95p/m saving for the first six months, Spintel’s Entry 25 is one of the most affordable plans available right now. This plan comes in just under the AU$50 pricepoint for the first six months, before the price increases to AU$59.95p/m.

The telco has received some pretty positive reviews online, with customers praising quick setup times, and friendly 24/7 support.

Reaching maximum advertised speeds of 25Mbps during the typical evening hours, this plan could be a great option if you want to maximise savings. And with no lock-in contract, you can change providers if you find your service isn’t up to scratch.

Total minimum cost: AU$47 | Total first year cost: AU$641.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$719.40

Mate | NBN 25 | Unlimited data| No lock-in contract | AU$40p/m using code MATE30 (for 6 months, then AU$70p/m)

Mate’s Crikey NBN 25 plan is a mammoth deal for an NBN 25 connection. You’ll save AU$30 a month over your first six months — that’s AU$180 — before the price increases to AU$70p/m. With no activation, exit, or change fees, this deal is a steal, especially with a low minimum cost of AU$40.

And if you’re not completely satisfied with your connection, Mate will provide a full refund of your plan fee within the first month.

Total minimum cost: AU$40 | Total first year cost: AU$660 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$840

Kogan | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$58.90p/m (for 3 months, then AU$68.90p/m)

Kogan’s Silver Unlimited NBN 50 clocks in with evening speeds of 50Mbps and 17Mbps uploads, which is pretty typical across the speed tier. However, thanks to this initial outlay, you'll save AU$10p/m over the first three months — that's AU$30 — before the price increases.

Moreover, the plan's first 12-month cost of AU$796.80 is one of the cheapest NBN 50 plans. Kogan also offers you its Internet Price Pledge, so if you find a better price on the same NBN plan, Kogan will give you back double the difference.

Do note though, that while this plan has a great introductory price, it's only discounted for 3 months, rather than the usual half-year promos we typically see.

Total minimum cost: AU$58.90 | Total first year cost: AU$796.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$826.80

Dodo | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$59.80p/m (for 6 months, then AU$83.90p/m)

This Dodo NBN 50 plan is currently the cheapest in Australia, with a saving of AU$24.10p/m for the first six months. Not only does it come in at under AU$900 for the first year, but Dodo's plan also advertises the maximum 50Mbps typical evening speeds.

However, Dodo is the cheapest plan for the first six months, so you may want to consider switching to another plan like Flip's NBN 100 plan, if you want to maximise savings on similar speeds.

Total minimum cost: AU$59.80 | Total first year cost: AU$862.20 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,006.80

Tangerine | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$62.90p/m (for 6 months, then $82.90p/m)

Tangerine’s Value Plus NBN 50 is one of the cheapest prices you’ll pay for an NBN 50 connection, coming in right under AU$63p/m. Saving AU$20 a month over your first six months — that’s AU$120 total — before the price increases to AU$82.90.

What we like about Tangerine is that it offers a 14-day risk-free trial, so if you find the service isn't up to scratch for whatever reason, you're free to cancel without any issues.

Total minimum cost: AU$62.90 | Total first year cost: AU$874.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$994.80

Flip | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$64p/m (for 5 months, then AU$73.90p/m)

We recommend Flip here again, but unfortunately, the price on this plan has gone up within the last month, making it one of the midrange NBN 50 options. That said, it'll still save you AU$59.40 over the first six months and comes in under the AU$70 pricepoint.

Like other NBN 50 plans, the telco advertises the maximum 50Mbps speeds during the evening hours. Upload speeds are on par with the competition at 17Mbps, too and online reviews appear to be pretty positive.

Total minimum cost: AU$64 | Total first year cost: AU$837.30 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$886.80

Buddy Telco | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$65p/m (for 6 months, then AU$75p/m)

Advertising 49Mbps downloads and 16Mbps uploads, Buddy Telco's NBN 50 plan will save you AU$10p/m for the first six months — that's AU$60 total — before the price increases to a modest AU$75p/m.

Despite being a relatively new provider that piggybacks off the premium Aussie Broadband network, Buddy Telco has gathered some positive reviews online, with customers pleased by the easy transition process, fast speeds and attractive prices.

Total minimum cost: AU$65 | Total first year cost: AU$840 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$900

Dodo | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract| AU$64.80p/m (for 6 months, then AU$88.90p/m)

Dodo currently offers the cheapest and one of the most attractive NBN 100 plans, although there is a very minor caveat. Dodo's NBN 100 plan is only available for customers with FTTC, FTTP and HFC connection types.

Other providers offering NBN 100 plans are available to all connections. But, if you fall into the required category, you will only be paying AU$922.20 for your first 12 months, which is pretty impressive for an NBN 100 plan.

That said, this current introductory offer in partnership with WhistleOut slashes a mammoth AU$24.10 off the first six months — that's AU$144.60 — before the price increases.

Total minimum cost: AU$64.80 | Total first year cost: AU$922.20 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,066.80

Exetel | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$60.99p/m using code WHISTLEOUT24 (for 6 months, then AU$79.99p/m)

Our other top pick for an NBN plan under AU$70 is this one from Exetel. It only meets the price point for the first 6 months, but comes with added value in the form of Speed Boost days, which allow you to boost the speed of your NBN service to the next tier – NBN 100 in this instance – for 24 hours, five times a month, for free.

Any unused Speed Boost days can be banked up to 30 days, so you can turbocharge your speeds for up to a month. If you want more days, you can purchase them for AU$2 each.

Total minimum cost: AU$60.99 | Total first year cost: AU$845.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$959.88

Flip | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$69p/m (for 5 months, then AU$83.90p/m)

If you crave even faster speeds, Flip's NBN 100 plan also comes in under the AU$70 budget for the first six months of the service.

The only downside here is that Flip doesn't advertise the maximum 100Mbps speed during the busy evening hours of 7pm to 11pm. But at 97Mbps it should still be plenty quick enough for households of four or more.

Total minimum cost: AU$69 | Total first year cost: AU$932.30 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,006.80

Spintel | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$65p/m (for 6 months, then AU$81.95p/m)

Spintel features twice in this category, as it offers sensational value for a low cost and now comes with a superb AU$16.95p/m discount for the first six months. Across all NBN 100 plans, the offering has the lowest first yearly price of a modest AU$881.70 and one of the cheapest ongoing costs after the introductory discount ends.

There’s little in the way of extra features with this plan – which will likely go some way to explaining the low cost – but if you’re just searching for a no-frills NBN plan to get you connected, Spintel is well worth your attention.

Total minimum cost: AU$65 | Total first year cost: AU$881.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$983.40

Spintel | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$78p/m (for six months, then AU$89.95p/m)

If you're keen on superfast speeds at a low cost, this Spintel deal is hard to beat. Advertising 235Mbps download speeds during the busy evening hours, this plan slashes AU$11.95 off a month for the first six months — that's a saving of AU$71.70 — before the price increases to AU$89.95, which still represents astonishing value compared to other providers on this speed tier.

Plus, it's one of the cheapest plans after the initial discount ends, priced at AU$16.60 under the monthly average of AU$106.48 for the tier. That said, it will tick over the AU$80 mark after the first six months are up, so do keep that in mind before you sign the dotted line.

Plus, this Spintel offering is only available for addresses with FTTP and HFC connections.

Total minimum cost: AU$79 | Total cost of first 12 months: AU$965.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,031.40

Exetel | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$65.99p/m (for 6 months, then AU$84.99p/m)

Exetel's NBN 100 plan does go over the AU$80p/m threshold after the introductory discount, but we felt compelled to include it here because of the added value that comes with it.

That added value being the aforementioned Speed Boost days, which allow you to temporarily increase the speed of your service to the next tier — NBN 250 — for free, five times a month.

Much like the Spintel offering above, this plan will jump into the over AU$80 category post-initial outlay, so do keep that in mind.

Note that you will need to connect to the NBN via fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) or hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) to take advantage of this speed boost feature.

Total minimum cost: AU$65.99 | Total cost for first year: AU$905.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,019.88

Superloop | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$75p/m (for 6 months, then AU$89p/m)

Slashing AU$14p/m off for the first six months — a saving of AU$84 — before the price increases, this Superloop plan offers great value, considering the average for this tier is AU$91.34p/m.

Again, this plan will reach into the above AU$80 bracket post-introductory offers, so it might not be the best for every household — but you can always drop down a tier to NBN 50 after the first six months are up if you find you don't require fast speeds. You can request to change your speed tier once per month, at any time, for no extra cost until your next billing cycle.

Like other Superloop offerings, you can boost your plan to the next speed tier — that's 250Mbps — by using your five free Speed Boost Days every month, you’ll just need to make sure your NBN connection type will support the faster speeds.

Total minimum cost: AU$75 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$984 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,068

Flip | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$84p/m (for 6 months, then AU$94.90p/m)

Flip once again features at this price point. There's just very little to fault the telco on, and it's a testament that it's able to deliver well-reviewed NBN for much less than most of the competition and Flip's NBN 250 plan is indeed the cheapest you can get in Australia.

Typical evening speeds are only 236Mbps and not the full 250Mbps, but only a select few NBN providers do promise the maximum, so we're not going to mark Flip down on this occasion.

Total minimum cost: AU$84 | Total cost for first year: AU$1,073.40 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,138.80

Superloop | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$85p/m (for 6 months, then AU$99p/m)

This NBN 250 plan from Superloop is well worth considering in our view. It doesn't quite promise the maximum 250Mbps download speeds either, but with 240Mbps quoted instead, we think a sacrifice of 10Mbps is justifiable, considering the cost.

The only other plans on this speed tier that are cheaper advertise slower speeds, so for our money, Superloop is another provider well worth your consideration.

With this Superloop plan, you're also able to temporarily boost the speed of your plan to the NBN 1000 tier five times a month. Superloop quotes typical evening speeds of 600Mbps here, which is among the fastest in the country.

Total minimum cost: AU$85 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$1,104 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,188