nbn® 500 plans: Compare Ultrafast 500 Mbps broadband
Tired of slow connection? Compare the best and affordable nbn® 500 plans in your area.
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1300 710 263
Written by:
Hayley Griffinnbn® 500 plans, labelled as nbn® Ultrafast plans by NBN Co, deliver up to 500 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload. These plans are built for households with high demands. Usually, that means five or more heavy users. Activities include frequent large file downloads, 4K video on multiple screens and cloud workflows running simultaneously.
nbn® 500 requires a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connection. It is not available on FTTN, FTTC or fixed wireless connections. When you have multiple people online at the same time, it makes sense to pick nbn® speeds that match the need. Whether it's for online games or remote work, you can stay connected and enjoy fast download speeds with nbn® 500.
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Quick AI Answer
nbn® 500 suits households with five or more heavy simultaneous users, frequent large file downloads, 4K streaming on every screen and cloud backup or video editing workflows. It delivers up to 500 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload (500/50), with typical evening speeds around 430 Mbps. Available on FTTP and HFC connections only. |
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Fibre/ HFC
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Fibre/ HFC
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Aussie-based support options
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Fibre/ HFC
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NBN
Fibre/ HFC
Unlimited
Data
24/7 Days Technical Support: We're here for you, weekends included
Available on FTTP & HFC connections only
Written by:
Hayley GriffinIs nbn® 500 worth it?
While nbn® 100 plans are sufficient for most general household use, nbn® 500 is worth considering if:
- Your household often downloads or uploads large files.
- If you stream multiple 4K services at the same time.
- If you do heavy tasks like video editing or cloud backups.
- If you have five or more active users.
nbn® 500 plans deliver a significant speed boost over lower tiers. Downloading a 90 GB video game takes under 25 minutes. Large 4K video files can be downloaded in under 10 minutes, much faster than on nbn® 250 or nbn® 100.
Not sure if nbn® 500 is available at your address? Check your eligibility for an FTTP upgrade.
What does 500 Mbps deliver?
Is 500 Mbps fast enough? It's a question we're asked - often! At 500 Mbps, you have enough bandwidth for an entire connected household running flat out simultaneously. Here's what that looks like in practice:
| Activity | At 500 Mbps | vs nbn® 100 |
|---|---|---|
| 4K streaming (4 screens) | No issue | Borderline at nbn® 100 during peak hours |
| 50 GB download | Under 14 minutes | Around 70 minutes at nbn® 100 |
| Cloud backup (10 GB) | Under 3 minutes | Around 14 minutes at nbn® 100 |
| Video call (multiple simultaneously) | No impact on others | Noticeable at nbn® 100 with heavy use |
| Smart home and IoT devices (20+) | No overhead | Minor overhead at nbn® 100 |
Understanding 500/50 upload speeds
The standard upload speed on nbn® 500 plans is 50 Mbps, which is what most Australians will see listed as 500/50 nbn®. That 50 Mbps upload is a meaningful upgrade over the 20 Mbps on nbn® 100, particularly for:
- Uploading video projects to cloud storage or YouTube
- Running simultaneous video calls across a large household
- Backing up large photo or video libraries overnight
- Sending large work files to remote servers
Some providers may offer higher upload speeds at this tier on FTTP connections. Check with the provider for upload speed options at your address.
How nbn® 500 compares to other tiers
| Speed tier | Download (approx) | Upload | Time to download 50 GB (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| nbn® 100 | 90 Mbps typical | 20 Mbps | 70 mins |
| nbn® 250 | 215 Mbps typical | 25-100 Mbps | 28 mins |
| nbn® 500 | 430 Mbps typical | 50 Mbps | 14 mins |
| nbn® 1000 | 800 Mbps typical | 50-400 Mbps | 7 mins |
Who should choose nbn® 500?
nbn® 500 is the right call for:
- Large households of 5 or more people where multiple users are all streaming, gaming or working from home at the same time.
- Content creators who regularly upload large video or design files and want uploads done in minutes rather than hours.
- Remote workers with cloud-heavy workflows who find nbn® 100 upload speeds a bottleneck.
- Gamers who download multiple large titles regularly and want fast turnaround.
Compare nbn® 500 plans or see if nbn® 1000 is available at your address on the nbn® 1000 plans page or by calling 1300 764 000.
Pros and cons of nbn® 500
Pros
- Handles the most demanding household setups without bandwidth competition
- 50 Mbps upload suits content creators and cloud-heavy remote workers
- Significantly faster large file downloads compared to nbn® 250
- Available from multiple providers on FTTP and HFC connections
Cons
- Higher price than nbn® 100 or 250; smaller households will not use the extra bandwidth
- Requires FTTP or HFC connection; not available on FTTN, FTTC or fixed wireless
- Most households find nbn® 100 or 250 more than sufficient at a lower cost
What to consider before signing up
Before choosing nbn® 500, check:
- Your connection type: FTTP or HFC is required. Check your address eligibility first.
- Your internet habits: streaming, gaming, working from home and file upload volume.
- Number of users and connected devices in your household.
- Your monthly budget: compare total value, not just headline price.
nbn® 500 plans suit high-demand users. nbn® 100 or 250 may suit medium households with modest usage. It's important to assess what your household needs before you go ahead and sign up. It should be easy to determine once you decide your speed needs.
It's always a good idea to speak to Compare Broadband before you go ahead and choose a plan. Our friendly team can help you to figure out what your speed needs are and which provider can offer you the best value plan. Call the team today on 1300 764 000.
Is nbn® 500 better than nbn® 250?
For most households, nbn® 250 is sufficient. nbn® 500 makes sense when you have five or more heavy simultaneous users or when upload speed is a genuine bottleneck. The 50 Mbps upload on nbn® 500, compared with 25 Mbps on most nbn® 250 plans, is a real upgrade. It helps content creators and power users.
Is it better? The answer to that is going to be individual to your needs. If you work from home and you download a lot of big files, the answer is a resounding yes. However, if you like to watch the latest series on Netflix or have a smaller family, you'd be paying more than needed.
References
- ACCC (2025). Measuring Broadband Australia Report. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
- NBN Co (2026). Wholesale Broadband Agreement Pricing Schedule. NBN Co Limited.
FAQs
Do I need an nbn® 500 plan?
Only if your household has five or more heavy simultaneous users or you regularly deal with large file transfers. For most households of 1-4 people, nbn® 100 or 250 is sufficient.
How fast is 500 Mbps internet?
With typical evening speeds around 430 Mbps, nbn® 500 is around four to five times faster than nbn® 100. A 50 GB game downloads in around 14 minutes. A 1 GB file takes under 2 seconds on a wired connection.
Can I get nbn® 500 at my address?
nbn® 500 requires FTTP or HFC. Use our plan checker to see what is available at your address or call 1300 764 000.
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