How do I get a new NBN connection when I move home?

The NBN is Australia’s National Broadband Network, connecting homes and businesses to high-speed internet all across the country through the leading internet providers. The roll-out of the NBN started in 2011, and you’ve probably heard about its successes and failures as it continues to this day.

There are currently 12 million Australian households and businesses ready to be connected to the NBN, and 8.3 million of them are already connected to an internet plan (source: nbnco.com.au).

If you are interested in joining the millions of Australians already online, read the important information below to find out all about moving your broadband to the best NBN plans available.

How do I know if I can get NBN at my home?

Before you begin comparing NBN plans, check whether you can get NBN at your house. Use the official NBN address tool to confirm if connecting to the NBN is possible at your location. You can check your address on the NBN website here:

>> Check your address <<

REMEMBER: If your home is in an area with NBN service available, this doesn’t mean you are connected to the NBN yet. You will still need to compare internet plans to find a provider and plan, then arrange installation before your NBN is ready to use.

If NBN is not available, you might still be able to access high-speed home internet through a 5G plan, such as the Optus 5G Entertainer plan. Read more about 5G home internet here: 5G vs NBN – which one is right for me?

New NBN connection: step-by-step

Once you’ve confirmed NBN availability, follow these steps to set up a new NBN connection at your house:

Compare internet plans and providers

Whilst NBN Co owns the cables and wires to make NBN accessible in your area, you cannot purchase an NBN plan directly from them, this needs to be done through a third-party retailer. All of the leading internet providers offer a range of NBN plans. You can either compare them individually or give Move-In Connect a call and let us do the hard work for you.

Choose the best NBN plan for your needs

Everyone’s internet needs are different, so when you look at NBN plans, compare the cost and speed to find the one that is best for you. If you use the internet for work, entertainment or just for keeping up with social media, the upload speeds and download speeds you need will differ, so don’t pay for a superfast internet plan that you don’t need.

You can find out more about the best speed for your home and how to do an effective NBN comparison here: How to choose the right internet speed when you connect broadband.

Keep reading to see some of our favourite and cheapest NBN plans in the next section.

Arrange an installation date (if connecting NBN to the property for the very first time)

When you sign up with your chosen NBN provider, they will send you a confirmation email, followed by a booking for either a tech appointment or connection date.

If you have never had NBN at the premises before, you will need a tech appointment to install the physical boxes and cables required. Your chosen provider will arrange this with an NBN technician on your behalf. This process will connect NBN to your house for the first time and activate your new internet service.

You can prepare for your appointment by:

• Making sure someone is home for the appointment
• Arranging permission with your landlord if you are renting
• Deciding where you would like the NBN utility and connection boxes to be placed (see below for tips on this)

At the appointment, a technician will install a utility box on an outside wall of your home and a connection box inside your home.

Arrange a connection date

If there is existing, working NBN infrastructure at your home or business, you will only need a connection date, which is the date your new service will be switched on, using the box and cables already present.

Your new modem will be delivered before your connection date. Each modem, depending on the type and brand, has a slightly different set-up process, so be sure to follow the guide that comes with your modem carefully to make sure you don’t run into any issues.

Once your installation and connection are complete, you should be up and running! It’s a good idea to test your internet speed to check if everything is working as expected. Find out how here: How to run a broadband speed test.

If you encounter any problems, be sure to contact your provider for assistance, rather than contacting NBN Co directly or try the steps in our guide to optimise your internet connection: Guide to optimise your new NBN connection.

How to Get Connected

Once you’ve confirmed NBN is available at your address, getting connected is easy. Choose a plan, confirm installation details and set your connection date. Whether it’s a new NBN setup or reconnecting an existing one, following the right steps will make the process smooth. If it’s your first time, a technician may need to visit. Otherwise, it’s as simple as plugging in your new modem.

Compare NBN plans to find the right one

There are many telcos in Australia that offer NBN plans, either as stand-alone plans or as part of a bundle with other utilities such as electricity, gas, Pay TV Australia and Foxtel. The good news is that Move-In Connect has compared the best NBN plans from all the leading providers to find the right option for you!

Now that you know how to get NBN connected, the next step is to find a plan that suits your usage and budget. We’ve partnered with Optus and Belong to offer you some of the cheapest NBN plans on the market:

• Optus offers some of the cheapest NBN deals in Australia with reliable, fast speeds. The Internet Everyday Plan costs $79 per month, with no start-up costs and includes unlimited data and speeds between 50Mbps and 100 Mbps – perfect for streaming HD content to 3-4 devices.
• Belong is a small broadband provider wholly owned by Telstra. Their low-cost Starter Plan costs $60 per month and includes speeds of about 25Mbps – perfect for streaming to one device and surfing the web.

Both Belong and Optus have a range of plans so you are guaranteed to find something suitable for your needs. You can take a look at their websites or contact Move-In Connect to see the different plans available. When comparing plans, remember that a capped data limit or a fixed-term contract can be great ways to save money, but you need to decide if these conditions are right for your internet connection needs and budget.

The table below gives you a snapshot of some of the most popular plans available.

If you regularly use streaming services or watch PayTV Australia, then a Foxtel bundle is an affordable way to access NBN and entertainment. Plus, some of their bundles now include a Netflix subscription to give you even more savings.

Some of our favourite Foxtel bundles are below, or talk to a Move-In Connect expert to find out more about all the options available.

Frequently asked questions about the NBN

In the course of connecting the NBN to your home or business, you may come across some of these common questions.

Does it matter where my NBN box is placed?

There are two elements to your NBN box – your utility box and your connection box. Before your installation appointment, you should think about where you want these to be placed.

Here are some tips:

Where to install the NBN Utility box:

• An external wall of your home or business premise
• On the same building as your mains meter box
• At least 410mm off the ground
• At least 250mm clear of taps and downpipes
• Clear of obstructions
• Somewhere easily accessible (not too high)

Where to install the NBN Connection box:

• Between one and one and a half metres off the ground
• Away from televisions, speakers and other large electronic devices
• In a place that has easy access
• Somewhere well ventilated
• Somewhere where it won’t be easily knocked
• Try to place your connection box in a central location to provide a good signal throughout your home. In larger, two-storey homes, you might need a WiFi extender to reach areas furthest away from the box.

What are the different types of NBN?

There are several types of connections that deliver NBN to Australian homes. Three of the most common are:

• Fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) – uses high-speed fibre optic cables to a node. Copper cables are then used to deliver the NBN from the node to the home.
• Fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) – uses high-speed fibre optic cables to the node, and from the node to the curbside. Copper cables are then used to deliver the NBN from the curb to the home.
• Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) – uses high-speed fibre optic cables all the way to the utility box on the side of the home.

There is some debate (and controversy) about whether or not NBN FTTP connections deliver faster speeds through the use of fibre to the premises than the other connection types.

Other types of connections you may come across are:

• Fibre to the building (FTTB)
• Hybrid fibre-Coaxial (HFC cable)
• Fixed wireless
• Satellite connection

Can I choose my NBN connection type?

No, unfortunately, you cannot choose which type of NBN fibre network your home or business is connected with. The type of connection you get depends on the infrastructure available in your area and was determined as part of the government’s NBN rollout plan.

How does NBN connect to a house?

The NBN connects to your house through a utility box on the outside and a connection box inside. The exact method depends on the connection type available in your area, like fibre to the premises or fibre to the node. Once installed, your provider activates the service.

Next steps 

If you are ready to make the move to the NBN, contact Move-In Connect and our expert team will guide you through the process.

If you are moving house and need to connect your electricity and gas, as well as your NBN, read our guide here or call our team to take advantage of our 100% free moving utilities services. Our team will find the best deals available in your area from our panel of preferred suppliers, based on your unique energy needs, to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Useful links

How to choose the right internet speed when you connect broadband

Optimise the new NBN connection in your home or small business

Find the best internet for your apartment

How to compare NBN plans for your new home

Test your new broadband speed