NBN Price Hike is Here: How to Switch Internet Providers and Actually Save Money

NBN prices have changed again. From 1 July 2026, nbn wholesale pricing was adjusted across several common residential speed tiers. That does not automatically mean every household will receive the same price rise, because your retail provider sets your final bill. But when your internet bill goes up, it is a good prompt to ask a simple question: am I still getting the right value?

For plenty of Australians, the answer is not obvious. You might be paying more than a newer plan costs, stuck on a speed that no longer suits your household, or putting up with support that leaves you waiting when something goes wrong. The good news is that switching internet providers is generally much easier than people expect.

This guide explains why NBN bills can change, how to compare providers properly, what happens when you switch NBN plans and the practical ways you may be able to save money on internet without cutting the speed you actually need.

Why are NBN bills increasing?

The nbn network is wholesale infrastructure. nbn sells access to internet providers, and those providers package that access into the plans households buy. This is why a wholesale price change and a retail bill increase are related, but not exactly the same thing.

For the 2026 annual changes, nbn said the wholesale adjustment for its most common fixed-line residential speed tiers ranged from no change to $2.34 per month, depending on the speed tier. Providers decide whether they absorb those changes, alter inclusions, change promotions or pass some or all of the cost through to customers.

That is also why it is worth comparing plans rather than assuming there is nothing you can do. One provider may raise the ongoing price, while another may have a more suitable speed tier, a better promotion or fewer extra charges. A price rise is not always a reason to switch, but it is a sensible reason to review.

Should you stay with your current provider?

Before you change internet provider, take five minutes to check whether your current plan still works for you. Start with the questions that affect day-to-day use, not just the price on the first page of a comparison site:

• Am I happy with the speed when everyone is online?
• Do I know the regular monthly price after any introductory discount ends?
• Have I had repeated issues with customer support, billing or connection reliability?
• Am I paying for a very fast plan that my household does not actually need?
• Could my address now access a faster connection type or an nbn fibre upgrade?

Signs you may be overpaying include being on an old plan that is no longer advertised, paying for unused extras, or staying on a speed tier that does not suit your household. On the other hand, the cheapest plan is not automatically the best value. A lower monthly price can become frustrating very quickly if it does not handle video calls, streaming, gaming or several people online at once.

How much could you save by switching?

There is no single saving that applies to every home. Your result depends on your address, the speeds available, whether you need a modem, current promotional offers and what your existing provider charges. The practical aim is to compare the total cost and the service you are getting, not chase the loudest discount.

You may be able to save money on internet by moving to a plan with a better ongoing price, choosing a speed tier that matches your actual usage, bringing your own compatible modem or bundling only services you already need. Promotional offers can be useful too, but always compare the cost after the discount ends. A cheaper first six months does not always mean a cheaper year.

Start with MATE’s nbn plans and address checker to see the plans and speeds available at your home before deciding what to switch to.

How to switch internet providers

For most standard NBN services, switching broadband provider is a fairly straightforward process. Your new provider usually coordinates the transfer, so you do not need to make it more complicated than it has to be.

Step 1: Compare available plans

Check what is available at your address. Compare speed, typical busy period performance, ongoing price, data limits, contract terms, modem costs and support options.

Step 2: Check your current contract and account

Look for any remaining contract term, hardware repayment, modem return requirement or bundled service that could be affected. A month-to-month plan is usually simpler to move away from, but always read your current provider’s terms.

Step 3: Choose a new provider and plan

Pick the speed tier that suits your household. Do not pay for maximum speed just because it sounds good, but do not underbuy if several people work, game or stream at the same time.

Step 4: Place your order

Give the new provider the requested details, including your address and any information needed to identify your existing NBN service. If you want to keep a home phone number, tell the new provider before the order is submitted.

Step 5: Follow the activation instructions

Your provider will confirm what happens next. Depending on the service and the type of change, you may need to restart your modem, change a setting or connect different equipment.

Step 6: Cancel only what needs cancelling

Do not rush to cancel your current internet service before the new provider gives you clear instructions. In many cases, the NBN transfer itself closes the old internet service. Separate services, such as a home phone, may need specific handling.

Will switching providers disconnect my internet?

Most customers worry that changing NBN providers will leave them offline for days. That is usually not the case, but a completely interruption-free switch cannot be guaranteed. Some services transfer quickly once the new order is completed, while others need a short outage, a modem change or extra work at the address.

The best way to reduce disruption is to order before cancelling anything yourself, keep your current modem connected until you receive activation instructions, and avoid scheduling the change immediately before an important work deadline. If you work from home, have a backup option such as mobile data available for the day of the change.

A new provider should explain the expected activation process for your address. This is especially important if you are changing technology, arranging a fibre upgrade or moving house.

What to look for when comparing providers

A solid internet provider comparison looks beyond a single advertised price. Use the checklist below to compare like for like.

Speed: which NBN plan might suit your home?

There is no universal best NBN provider or best speed tier. The right plan comes down to how many people and devices are active at once, plus what they are doing online. As a general guide:

• NBN 25: suited to light browsing, email, social media and modest streaming for smaller households.
• NBN 50: a common choice for everyday homes with HD streaming, video calls and casual gaming.
• NBN 100: useful for busier households, 4K streaming, gaming and larger downloads.
• NBN 250, 500, 750 or 1000: suited to eligible addresses with high simultaneous usage, larger households, heavy downloads, content creation or demanding work-from-home setups.

MATE’s NBN 25 and NBN 100 plan pages provide examples of the kinds of household use each tier can support. Your address and connection type determine which plans you can access.

Common mistakes people make when switching

Choosing based on price alone

Cheap NBN plans can be a good outcome, but only when the plan actually meets your needs. Look at speed, standard pricing after promotions, modem costs and customer support before making a call.

Ignoring typical evening speeds

Your home is most likely to feel slow when everyone is online. Typical busy period speeds give a more useful indication of performance during those hours than a maximum theoretical speed.

Not reviewing household usage

A household of two casual users has different needs to a household with several gamers, 4K streams, smart devices and people taking video meetings at the same time. Be honest about what happens in your home.

Forgetting about future needs

A plan that is fine today may not suit you after a new housemate moves in, you start working from home more often, or your address becomes eligible for faster fibre. Choose flexibility where you can, then reassess when your needs change.

When should you switch providers?

A bill increase is one sensible time to switch NBN provider, but not the only one. You may also want to compare providers after repeated poor support experiences, when your current plan cannot keep up with your household, or after you become eligible for a fibre upgrade.

If faster speeds are now available at your address, take a look at MATE’s nbn fibre upgrade options. A change in connection technology can open up speed tiers that were not previously available.

Is switching worth it in 2026?

For many Australians, yes. The NBN market has plenty of providers and plan options, so a price increase does not mean you have to accept a higher bill without checking what else is available. Switching internet providers can be one of the quickest household reviews you make: you can compare price, speed, flexibility and support in the same place.

That said, switch for a clear reason. It could be better value, a plan that matches your household more closely, a service issue, a faster speed option or a fibre upgrade. You do not need to switch every time a new deal appears. You just need to know whether your current plan is still doing its job.

Before you switch: a final checklist

Before you place an order, use this quick checklist to make sure the plan you choose will save you money without creating a fresh headache.

• Check the regular monthly price, not only the introductory offer.
• Confirm the speed tier and typical busy period speeds suit the way your household uses the internet.
• Check whether your current plan has a contract, modem repayment or a home phone service that needs to be transferred.
• Confirm whether your existing modem is compatible, or factor a new modem into the first-month cost.
• Check the new provider’s activation advice before cancelling anything yourself.
• Use your address, not a generic comparison result, because available speeds and connection technology can vary between homes.

MATE’s NBN address checker is a practical place to start, as it shows which plans are available at your address.

Final thoughts

NBN price increases do not automatically mean you need to pay more without question. Your provider sets your retail price, and there are plenty of reasons to compare what is available before your next bill arrives. Review your speed, check the regular monthly cost, look for unnecessary extras and make sure your plan still suits the way your home actually uses the internet.

Ready to review your options? Check your address and compare MATE nbn plans to find a plan that fits your household, your address and your budget. MATE offers unlimited data, no lock-in contracts, zero setup fees and Aussie support on its current NBN plans.