NBN 100 plans, now 500 Mbps free on fibre.
An Australian guide to NBN 100 plans in 2026. Why the tier became two different products in September 2025: 500 Mbps real-world speed on FTTP and HFC, 100 Mbps on FTTC and FTTN, and how to know which you'll actually get.
NBN 100 plans in Australia are now two different products depending on your address connection type. If you have FTTP or HFC, your NBN 100 plan delivers around 500 Mbps real-world (ACCC-verified at 503.9 Mbps average peak speed). If you have FTTC, FTTN, FTTB, or Fixed Wireless, your plan still delivers around 80-100 Mbps as before. Same plan name, same monthly price ($65-$100/mo typically), dramatically different actual experience. The shift makes NBN 100 the most interesting tier in Australia right now, especially because the price gap to NBN 50 is only $10-$20/mo for 10x the speed on fibre connections.
Why NBN 100 means two different speeds in 2026
In September 2025, NBN Co's Accelerate Great program upgraded the wholesale speed delivered to NBN 100 plans on FTTP and HFC connections. The plan name and price stayed the same. The speed multiplied 5x for those connection types. Customers on FTTC, FTTN, FTTB, and Fixed Wireless saw no change because their infrastructure can't deliver the higher speeds. The result: NBN 100 is now two products in one tier.
The fibre experience
If your address has Fibre to the Premises or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial, your NBN 100 plan automatically delivers around 500 Mbps download speeds verified by independent ACCC testing. The plan didn't change. The wholesale tier delivery did. Some providers now market this as "NBN 500" but it's the same product.
The standard NBN 100
If your address has Fibre to the Curb, Fibre to the Node, Fibre to the Building, or Fixed Wireless, your NBN 100 plan still delivers up to 100 Mbps download. FTTC typically achieves 80-95 Mbps. FTTN varies with copper distance. The Accelerate Great upgrade does not apply because the infrastructure can't support higher speeds.
The independent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) verified the upgrade with real-world testing in late 2025. 80.5% of NBN 100 customers on FTTP and HFC achieved an average busy-hour download speed exceeding 500 Mbps, with the overall average sitting at 503.9 Mbps during the 7-11pm peak congestion window.
Source: ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia report, December 2025NBN 100 pricing across Australian providers in 2026
NBN 100 plans (delivering 500 Mbps on FTTP/HFC, 100 Mbps elsewhere) cost $65 to $100 per month depending on provider and pricing structure. Cheapest intro pricing is currently around $69-$72/mo, with ongoing prices settling in the $85-$95/mo range. Here's the honest breakdown of where major providers sit.
Pricing accurate as of May 2026. Provider promotional offers change frequently. NBN Co wholesale price increase from 1 July 2026 will pass through approximately $2/mo to most retail providers. Compare current pricing on the retailer's own website before committing.
Six household profiles and the honest NBN 100 verdict
NBN 100 isn't right for everyone, even at the upgraded speeds. Match your household profile to the verdict below to know whether the tier delivers genuine value or whether NBN 50 is enough (or NBN 250 better suited).
4+ person household on FTTP or HFC
Multiple users streaming 4K simultaneously, video calls, gaming, smart home devices. 500 Mbps comfortably handles 5+ concurrent activities. The $10-$20/mo premium over NBN 50 is the best-spent extra in Australian broadband.
Work-from-home with cloud uploads
50 Mbps upload on FTTP NBN 100 transforms cloud backups, video meetings, file sharing. 1GB upload takes 3 minutes vs 10+ minutes on NBN 50. Essential for content creators, designers, or anyone uploading regularly.
2-3 person FTTP household
Even smaller households benefit because the price gap is so small. For $10-$20/mo more you get 10x the speed and lots of headroom. The household may grow, work patterns may change, and the marginal cost is minimal.
3-4 person FTTC household
FTTC delivers 80-95 Mbps real-world on NBN 100, no Accelerate Great upgrade. The speed bump from NBN 50 (45-48 Mbps) is genuine but not dramatic. Worth it for heavy users, optional for normal usage.
FTTN household with copper distance issues
FTTN performance often caps at 50-80 Mbps due to copper distance from the node. Paying for NBN 100 may deliver the same real-world speed as NBN 50. Run a speed test first. Consider applying for the free FTTP upgrade program instead.
Single light user
One person browsing, emailing, occasional streaming doesn't need 500 Mbps. NBN 25 or NBN 50 handles this profile comfortably at lower cost. Buying NBN 100 means paying for capacity that sits unused.
Six rules for buying NBN 100 in Australia
- Check your connection type before assuming you'll get 500 Mbps. The Accelerate Great speed upgrade only applies to FTTP and HFC. Use NBN Co's address checker to confirm your connection type. If you have FTTC, FTTN, FTTB, or Fixed Wireless, you'll get around 100 Mbps max, not 500 Mbps, regardless of which provider you choose.
- "NBN 500" and "NBN 100" are often the same plan. Some providers now market their FTTP/HFC NBN 100 plans as "NBN 500" to highlight the upgraded speed. Same product, same price, same wholesale tier. Don't pay extra for one branding over the other from the same provider.
- Look for 12-month intro discounts, not 6-month. Kogan currently offers 12-month introductory pricing on NBN 100 plans, which is rare. Most providers offer 6-month intro discounts then jump $15-$25/mo. The longer the intro period at this tier, the better the year-one value.
- Factor in the July 2026 wholesale price increase. NBN Co is raising wholesale prices from 1 July 2026, with most retail providers passing on approximately $2/mo. Plans signed up before then may still see the increase. Budget accordingly when comparing long-term pricing.
- If you're on FTTN with poor performance, apply for the FTTP upgrade. NBN Co's free FTTP upgrade program converts FTTN and FTTC addresses to full fibre when you sign up to NBN 100 or higher. Around 7,000 homes per week are upgraded. Once done, your existing NBN 100 plan automatically unlocks 500 Mbps via Accelerate Great. Check address eligibility at nbnco.com.au.
- Test your real-world speed during peak hours. The ACCC-verified 503.9 Mbps average is across the network. Your specific address may deliver more or less depending on local infrastructure. After signing up, test your connection between 7pm and 11pm via Speedtest.net or fast.com to confirm you're getting what you pay for. Most providers will allow you to downgrade if speeds underperform their typical evening commitment.
Common questions about NBN 100 plans
What is NBN 100 in Australia?
How fast is NBN 100 in 2026?
How much does NBN 100 cost in Australia?
Do I really get 500 Mbps on an NBN 100 plan?
What's the difference between NBN 100 and NBN 500?
Is NBN 100 worth the upgrade from NBN 50?
Can I get NBN 100 without FTTP or HFC?
Should I get a free FTTP upgrade to access NBN 500 speeds?
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See current Australian NBN 100 deals with up-to-date intro pricing, ongoing rates, and which providers automatically deliver 500 Mbps on FTTP/HFC connections.
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