Full fibre is quietly replacing copper across Melbourne, and 2026 is the year most households are noticing. If you’re on Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) and wondering whether your street is next, here’s what’s actually true about the free FTTP upgrade, what “free” really means, and how to check your own address rather than relying on suburb gossip.
What is the NBN FTTP upgrade?
FTTP, or Fibre to the Premises, runs fibre optic cable all the way to your home instead of stopping at a street cabinet (FTTN) or a nearby pit (FTTC) and finishing the last stretch over old copper. That copper is usually the reason for slower speeds, inconsistent evening performance and a lower speed ceiling. A FTTP upgrade replaces it, and it’s been NBN Co’s main focus as it winds down the remaining copper network.
Is the FTTP upgrade really free?
Yes, but with a condition that depends on your current connection type.
For most FTTN premises, the upgrade is triggered by ordering an eligible high-speed plan, generally NBN Home Fast (500Mbps) or above, through a participating provider. There’s no separate installation charge for standard upgrades, but you do need to be on the right plan tier to set it in motion.
For FTTC premises, NBN Co has been progressively relaxing this requirement through 2026, and eligible FTTC addresses can now trigger a free upgrade on a standard plan, without needing to step up to a high-speed tier first.
Either way, “free” refers to the infrastructure and standard installation. It doesn’t mean you get bumped onto a faster (and pricier) plan for nothing, it means the fibre gets run to your home at no extra cost.
Which Melbourne suburbs are part of the FTTP rollout?
Melbourne’s inner and middle-ring suburbs, including areas like Box Hill, Richmond, Fitzroy, Werribee and Dandenong, sit within NBN Co’s expanding fibre footprint. Some pockets in these suburbs are already eligible, others are being progressively added as the rollout continues.
Here’s the part that trips people up: eligibility isn’t suburb-wide. Two homes on the same street can land on different outcomes depending on which FTTN node or FTTC pillar they’re actually connected to. A friend three streets away being eligible tells you very little about your own address. The rollout has already made more than five million Australian premises eligible nationally, and it’s still expanding, but the only way to know your own status is to check your specific address.
What speeds can you get after upgrading to FTTP?
Once you’re on FTTP, the copper bottleneck is gone, so your speed depends on the plan you choose rather than how far you sit from a node. FTTP connections also tend to deliver speeds closer to the advertised maximum during busy evening periods, since they don’t suffer the same congestion and distance-related drop-off as FTTN.
Most households moving from FTTN to FTTP see a noticeable difference simply from more consistent evening speeds, even before considering a plan upgrade. From there:
- NBN 500 is a sensible everyday choice for most households and a natural step up from a typical FTTN plan.
- NBN 750 suits larger households running several devices, smart home tech and heavier simultaneous use.
- NBN 1000 or 2000 is available to FTTP addresses for households that want the highest wholesale speed tier NBN Co offers, useful for large households, content creators or anyone working with large file transfers.
Compare tiers on MATE’s NBN plans page once your upgrade is confirmed, so you’re not stuck on the same plan you chose for a slower connection type.
How do I check if my address is eligible for FTTP?
Use MATE’s NBN address and FTTP eligibility checker and enter your address. You’ll see one of three outcomes: you’re already eligible and can order an upgrade now, your area is scheduled for a future upgrade, or your address isn’t yet part of the announced rollout. Eligibility is added regularly, so it’s worth checking back every few months if you’re not there yet.
How do I upgrade from FTTN or FTTC to FTTP with MATE?
- Check your address using MATE’s eligibility checker to confirm your connection type and upgrade status.
- Choose an eligible plan. If you’re on FTTN, this generally means an eligible high-speed tier. If you’re on FTTC, current rules mean you may not need to step up at all, MATE’s team can confirm what applies to your address.
- Place your order. MATE coordinates the upgrade request with NBN Co on your behalf.
- Book your installation. A technician visit is usually required. Many upgrades can be completed in a single visit.
- Check your modem. Higher speed tiers need a compatible modem. See MATE’s best modems for NBN guide to check yours will keep up once fibre lands.
What if my address isn’t eligible yet?
The rollout is ongoing, not finished, so being ineligible today doesn’t mean you’re excluded permanently. Register for updates and check your address again periodically. In the meantime, MATE’s NBN plans page shows what speeds are realistically available on your current connection type while you wait.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check FTTP eligibility for my address?
Use MATE’s NBN address checker and enter your exact address. Eligibility is assessed premises by premises, not by suburb.
Is the upgrade really free?
The infrastructure upgrade itself is free of charge for eligible addresses. For most FTTN premises, you’ll need to order an eligible high-speed plan to trigger it. For FTTC premises, recent rule changes mean many eligible addresses can now upgrade without stepping up to a high-speed tier.
When will FTTP reach my suburb?
There’s no fixed suburb-wide date. NBN Co continues to expand the eligible footprint progressively, including across Melbourne. Checking your specific address is more reliable than waiting for a suburb-wide announcement.
What do I need to do to upgrade?
Check your address, confirm you’re on an eligible plan for your connection type, place your order with MATE, and book a technician visit. It’s worth confirming your modem is compatible with higher speed tiers before the upgrade lands.
Final thoughts
The FTTP rollout is genuinely reaching more of Melbourne every month, but suburb names only tell part of the story. If you’re in Box Hill, Richmond, Fitzroy, Werribee, Dandenong or anywhere in between, the fastest way to know where you stand is to check your own address, not wait for a headline about your postcode.
Check your eligibility with MATE’s NBN address checker, and our Aussie-based support team can talk you through the upgrade from there.
