NBN Speed Upgrades 2026: Are You on the Right Plan?

Quick answer: NBN speed upgrades 2026

The **NBN speed upgrades 2026** are most relevant if your home has FTTP or HFC and you are on, or considering, a faster plan. Many homes that previously bought around 100 Mbps can now compare 500 Mbps style plans, but slower tiers, FTTN, FTTC, FTTB, fixed wireless and satellite may not see the same automatic benefit.

What changed?

CHOICE summarised the upgraded residential wholesale tiers this way:

• Home Fast II: from 100/20 Mbps to 500/50 Mbps for eligible FTTP/HFC;
• Home Superfast: from 250/25 Mbps to 750/50 Mbps for eligible FTTP/HFC;
• Home Ultrafast: up to 1000/100 Mbps;
• Home Hyperfast: new 2000 Mbps tier, with upload depending on FTTP or HFC.

Retail providers can package and advertise plans differently, so the exact speeds shown to consumers may vary. Always check the Critical Information Summary and typical evening speed.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility depends mainly on connection technology and plan tier. FTTP and HFC homes are best placed to access the biggest speed increases. ACCAN notes that customers on slower 12, 25 and 50 Mbps plans are not the main beneficiaries, and homes on FTTC, FTTN, FTTB, wireless and satellite may see no automatic speed boost.

If you do not know your connection type, use an address checker or ask your provider. CompareUs also has NBN connection and speed resources to help you work out what your home can support.

Should you upgrade or downgrade?

The best plan is not always the fastest one. Consider:

• number of people at home;
• 4K streaming;
• gaming downloads;
• video calls;
• cloud backup;
• smart home devices;
• upload-heavy work;
• router capability;
• monthly budget after promotional pricing ends.

Some households may find that a newly faster NBN 500 style plan is now better value than an older premium tier. Others may realise they can downgrade if their usage is ordinary browsing, streaming and email.

Why your upgraded NBN may still feel slow

The network upgrade is only one part of the chain. Speeds can still be limited by:

• old routers that cannot handle high throughput;
• devices connected to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi instead of 5 GHz or 6 GHz;
• thick walls or poor router placement;
• old Ethernet cables;
• congested in-home Wi-Fi;
• a provider plan that has not actually changed;
• an address technology that is not eligible.

Before switching providers, test with a wired Ethernet connection where possible. If wired speed is strong but Wi-Fi is weak, the issue is likely inside the home.

What the ACCC data says

The ACCC's Measuring Broadband Australia program reported in June 2026 that fixed-line NBN households received, on average, 99.4% of their plan's download speed during the evening peak. That is useful context, but it does not guarantee every individual service performs perfectly. Technology type, provider, router and local faults still matter.

The ACCC program concluded in June 2026, so future plan comparisons may rely more heavily on provider typical evening speed disclosures, consumer testing and independent industry analysis.

How to compare plans after the upgrade

1. Confirm your NBN connection type.
2. Check your current plan speed and monthly price.
3. Run speed tests at peak and off-peak times.
4. Confirm whether your router supports the faster tier.
5. Compare NBN 100, 500, 750, 1000 and 2000 only if your address can use them.
6. Check upload speed, not just download.
7. Compare ongoing monthly price after discounts.
8. Read modem repayment and cancellation terms.

Internal next steps

Use `/internet` to compare internet plans, `/calculators/nbn-speed` to estimate your speed needs, and `/guides/how-to-improve-wi-fi-speed-at-home` if your plan is fast but your home network is not.

FAQ

What are the NBN speed upgrades in 2026?

They are faster wholesale speed settings for selected higher-speed NBN tiers, mainly for eligible FTTP and HFC homes.

Does every NBN customer get faster speeds?

No. Slower plans and some connection types may not receive the automatic speed increase.

What is NBN 500?

NBN 500 is the consumer shorthand for the upgraded Home Fast II style tier, commonly replacing the old 100/20 profile for eligible homes.

Do I need a new router?

Possibly. If your router is old, poorly placed or limited to slower Wi-Fi, it may stop you seeing the upgraded speed.

Is NBN 2000 worth it?

Only for heavy users who can actually use the speed and have compatible equipment. Most households should compare cost and real usage before buying the fastest tier.

Should I switch providers after the upgrade?

Compare first. Your current provider may have improved your speed, but another provider may offer better ongoing price, support or typical evening speed.

Sources

• CHOICE: NBN speed upgrades guide, https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/internet/connecting-to-the-internet/articles/nbn-speed-upgrades-our-complete-guide
• ACCAN: NBN speed increases, https://www.accan.org.au/nbnspeedincreases
• ACCC: Broadband performance data, https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/telecommunications-and-internet/broadband-performance-data
• ACMA: Telco complaints data, https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2026-04/telco-complaints-data-highlights-wait-times-and-escalations

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