How to check internet availability before you move in

Before you sign a lease or move house, it's worth making sure you check internet at new address before you move. Moving gives you a chance to have a choice of provider or sign onto a new deal.

A quick check can save you from a patchy connection, or an unexpected fee, after you've already moved in. Our guide to  moving house and transferring your internet, provider by provider, can offer some clarity to the process.

Check which network serves your new address

Most Australian addresses connect to the internet through the nbn® network. However, some newer housing estates run on Opticomm instead, a separate private fibre network. You don't get to choose between them, your address decides. Our Opticomm vs nbn® guide explains how to tell which one you're on and why it matters. The nbn® rollout map should help!

Once you know which network you're on, compare real plans and providers for that address with the Compare Broadband plan checker above. If it turns out you're on Opticomm, our best Opticomm plans guide covers it.

For renters: What to ask before you sign

A few quick questions to the landlord or agent can save weeks of frustration after you move in. Moving house nbn® from one address to the next doesn't need to be complicated, just carefully planned. Real estate listings rarely mention broadband at all, so this will be up to you to check before you sign anything.

• Which provider and connection type is already at the property.
• Typical speeds during peak evening hours, not just the advertised maximum.
• Whether you can run a speed test during an inspection.
• Whether the property has ever been connected to nbn® or Opticomm before.
• Whether an existing service needs to be disconnected before yours can be activated.

If you're moving into an apartment or unit, it's smart to confirm the building is nbn®-ready. Shared buildings sometimes need body corporate approval for certain connection types. This can delay the connection time if you leave it until moving week.

For buyers: What to check before you commit

The same due diligence you'd apply to plumbing or wiring applies to broadband. A property with a poor connection can be expensive to fix after settlement. This is particularly the case in an established building with older internal wiring.

• Ask previous owners what provider and plan they used, and how it performed.
• Check the property's existing wiring and ports rather than assuming it's ready.
• Check the nbn® rollout map if the area is due for a technology upgrade.
• Ask your conveyancer or building inspector to note the connection type in their report.

None of this needs to hold up an offer. It just means you know what you're getting before settlement day, rather than finding out when you try to book a connection.

How to compare plans once you've confirmed your address

Once you know your new address's network type, use the Compare Broadband plan checker to see real plans and typical evening speeds available there.

You don't have to rely on the plan you already have or a provider's general advertising. If now is the time for you to switch providers, go for it. We'll help you to shop around for a better deal. 

Availability and speed can vary street by street, even within the same suburb. So, an address-level check is the only way to know what you'll actually get.

nbn® new development charge and Opticomm connection fee

If nobody has ever connected the property to nbn® or Opticomm before, expect a one-off new development charge. Currently, this sits at $300 for nbn® or $300 to $550 for Opticomm. Confirm your building has a nbn® connection before you start shopping for plans.

Our full guide to nbn® and Opticomm new development charges covers exactly when it applies. We also go through how to avoid the extra Opticomm call-out fee.

Once you've confirmed your address and network, our guide to moving house and transferring your internet.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set up internet before I move in?

In many cases yes. This especially the case for fibre connections, if the previous occupant's service has already been disconnected. Ask your chosen provider can I get internet before moving in and they'll help with coordination.

Can you check internet availability before moving in?

Yes. Ask the current occupant, landlord or agent, or use the Compare Broadband plan checker with the address to see real providers and plans. All you have to do is enter your address, so you're prepared for moving day.

What happens if my new address has never had nbn® before?

You'll face a one-off new development charge, covered in full above, before your first connection can go ahead. It's smart to check ahead to see what nbn® technology is installed at the property, too.

Do I need to be at the property to check availability?

No. You can check availability and see real plans for the address using the Compare Broadband plan checker. Do this before you've even inspected the property in person.

Hayley Griffin Content Lead Hayley draws on over ten years of experience in technology, internet, and communications fields. Her experience spans across global clients, offering expertise on about the nbn, internet plans and hardware challenges facing Australian households, businesses and consumers. Read full bio

References

• NBN Co (2026) Get ready: the nbn® network upgrade. nbn Co. https://www.nbn.com.au/connect/upgrades
• ACCC (2025) Broadband speeds. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/phone-internet-and-tv-at-home/broadband/broadband-speeds
• Compare Broadband (2026) How We Work. https://www.comparebroadband.com.au/how-we-work/