NBN 12 Plans and Deals
Want an NBN plan that won't break the bank? The NBN 12 plan might be for you!
Want an NBN plan that won’t break the bank? An NBN 12 plan might be the plan for you! Also known as the Basic Evening Speed Plan, the NBN 12 is the cheapest of the NBN speed tiers, offering you a maximum download speed of 12 Mbps, which will deliver around the same performance speed as your old ADSL plan. But if you’re a light internet user who is looking to save some money on your internet bills, then you’ll definitely want to consider an NBN 12 plan. Compare NBN plans and providers here.

NBN25 plans are called "Basic II" for a reason. They offer maximum download speeds of 25Mbps and uploads of 5Mbps, allowing standard users decent access to the things they need online.
An NBN25 plan suits a smaller household that has a moderate appetite for videos, downloading files and video calls. We'll be quick to walk you through the various plans available under the 25Mbps speed tier.
Best NBN 12 Plans
NBN'S Basic Evening speed, or NBN 12, is the entry-level speed level on the National Broadband Network. This speed is ideal for small households and light users who only engage in basic online activities. The NBN 12 plan offers speeds similar to an ADSL2+ connection and is suitable for basic web browsing and email.
- Basic NBN offers download speeds up to 12Mbps (megabits/second) - sufficient for one Standard Definition stream as well as light browsing
- Upload speeds up to 1Mbps
Download speeds refer to traffic that comes to your site - whether it's for downloading videos, browsing, downloading emails, or anything else. Uploads are things you upload to the Internet (e.g. Photos to Facebook and Instagram, as well as YouTube videos. NBN 12 may not be fast enough for you if you stream a lot, work remotely, or spend a lot of time online.
Is NBN 12 Fast Enough?
NBN 12 plans are on the lowest NBN speed tier, but that doesn't mean they aren't any good. For light users, a Basic NBN 12 plan would be the best. It’s great for households with only 1-2 members and can easily cater to standard video streaming, emails, and other basic internet use. Assuming your connection is operating at full-speed, and with no other factors at play, you could download a 3MB song in as little as two seconds.
The best part is that there are great deals on the Basic speed Tier. Light users can find a number of data-capped plans that cost less than $40 per month. Unlimited Data is available for as low as $44.99 per month.
NBN Speed Tiers Download Speed Comparison
Internet Activity | NBN12 | NBN 25 | NBN50 | NBN100 | NBN250 | NBN1000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Music Download (100MB) |
1 min |
35 secs |
16 sec |
8 sec |
3 sec |
1 sec |
Downloading Game (50Gb) |
10 hours |
5 hours |
2 hrs, 20 mins |
1 hr, 10 mins |
29 mins |
7 mins |
HD movie streaming |
1 hour |
30 mins |
3 mins |
1.5 mins |
34 sec |
42 sec |
What NBN Plan Should I Choose?
Finding the best NBN plan for you means getting the right amount of data, at the right speed, for your individual needs and budget. While price is probably the first factor most users look into when comparing NBN plans, it shouldn’t be the only thing you should consider.
Going for the cheapest plans is not always a good idea especially if your household is active online or has several members that need to connect. If you’re looking for the cheapest NBN deals, it may mean you have to sacrifice either speed or data. It’s either you go with unlimited plans that are on a lower speed tier or go with super fast speed plans that have data limits.
It's not always advisable to go after the lowest costing plans but rather go for plans that offer the best value for money. You can save money on your internet bills by reducing one or two features.
As an example, the fastest speed doesn't always mean the best. Surveys show that the average Australian household considers NBN50 plans adequate for their needs, while NBN100 is more suitable for larger families. If you are a heavy user, anything faster may be too fast.
Sign-up deals are another way to get more bang for your buck. Many telcos offer no-contract plans that include discounts, which allow you to pay a lower monthly price for the first few months. Grab this chance to get the internet plan you want at the speed and data limit you require, then make the switch.
Compare NBN Plans
Choosing an NBN plan may look like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Considering your own needs – especially in peak times – is a good first step into finding the right plan for you. The NBN 12 Basic speed tier looks good on paper, but first consider if you can get by with such little bandwidth.
Plans on this speed tier look attractive, but you may find better ‘value’ elsewhere. If you’re a light user or a smaller household, chances are you can, but if you’ve got multiple people using the internet and streaming at once, you may want something with a bit more juice. The NBN 25 plan is the next step up, and beyond that you can get NBN 50 and NBN 100.
FAQs
What does NBN 12 mean?
The NBN 12 defines the best and most reasonably priced internet plan you can find today. It is commonly known as the “Basic Evening Speed Plan.” At the moment, the cheapest among all the NBN speed tiers you can choose.
Although it is economical compared to other NBN plans, it does not falter when providing a maximum speed for download of up to 12Mbps. To put it simply, offering you the same internet speed performance you can expect from an ADSL plan.
The NBN 12 is the perfect amount of data for any person who is a light internet user. It grants you internet stability and speed and keeps your budget intact. Since it is the entry-speed from NBN speed tiers is adequate for the “Standard Definition” of streaming and light surfing. The upload speed of NBN 12 is up to 1Mbps.
What is the difference between NBN 12 and NBN 25?
Both NBN 12 and NBN 25 are the lowest speed tiers available, with the former being the entry-level tier and comparable to the old ADSL internet connections. Being the most basic of the available NBN speed tiers, such plans have download speeds of only up to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of just 1 Mbps. In comparison, NBN 25 plans offer download speeds of up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps. As you can see, that’s a noticeable difference in speed.
Is 12 Mbps enough for Netflix?
Yes, 12 Mbps is sufficient to let you stream for Netflix, especially when you’re the only one using the connection. You can even watch the film in high definition. The common Netflix connection recommendations are 3Mbps for DVD quality, 7Mbps for super HD, and 12 Mbps. So, for 12Mbps, Netflix and chill can happen.
Which internet service providers have NBN 12 plans?
Most, but not all. As NBN 12 is the lowest and slowest NBN tier, some internet service providers don’t offer it, especially the providers that are more specifically focussed on high speed NBN plans, such as MyRepublic. But there are still many other internet service providers who do offer Basic Evening Speed plans, so there are still plenty of options for you to consider.
How to Compare NBN plans with Compare Broadband?
Need more help choosing an NBN plan? Get in touch with us! Compare Broadband is a free service to all Australian homes, and we’re independently rated 5 stars by our customers with a Trust Pilot score of 4.8 out of 5 based on over 1,800 reviews. You can use our free online broadband search engine to search for NBN, ADSL, Cable, Naked DSL and Home Wireless plans, or you can speak with one of our trusty internet advisers directly for a free broadband consultation. Simply call 1300 106 571 between Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, or Saturday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. It’s fast, free, and friendly advice. Easy!
Is 12 mbps any good?
If you have a small household that doesn’t use the internet for much besides browsing online, checking your email, and the occasional standard-definition video streaming, then an NBN 12 plan will be good enough. That means you get a reliable enough internet connection that won’t empty your wallet. If your internet usage leans more toward the heavier side, however, you may be better off considering a different speed tier.
How many devices can 12 Mbps support?
An internet plan at the NBN 12 speed tier (also known as NBN Basic) can reliably support up to two devices, as long as they’re engaged in activities that don’t call for heavy internet usage. That said, NBN 12 plans are good for households of 1 to 2 people. In other words, if your household has more members, you’ll have to make sure you’re not all online at the same time, or you’ll all find yourselves with even slower internet speeds to work with.
What can I use Basic NBN 12 for?
Even with all of the above, it doesn’t mean that NBN 12 or NBN Basic internet plans should be disregarded. In fact, if there’s just one of you in your household and you’re not a heavy internet user, then such a plan will be perfect for you.
With an NBN 12 plan, you’ll be able to engage in basic online activities such as checking your email, browsing the web, and checking your social media accounts. You can also stream videos in standard definition or stream music without the video or song stopping in the middle to buffer. You should also be able to work from home if you need to, as long as your work doesn’t involve anything that calls for heavy usage. If you need a little more speed, though, or you don’t want to limit your online activities to those that fall under light usage, then an NBN 12 plan might not be a good idea.
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