Switching nbn® providers without the hassle

Signs it might be time to switch

You do not need a big reason to switch - if you want a change, you can have one. Some of the most popular reasons to change are:

• Your bill has crept up since you signed up, and new customers on the same connection type are often paying less for more.
• You have had repeated outages or slow speeds during peak hours.
• Your plan no longer matches how your household uses the internet.
• Customer service has been slow to fix problems, or you are constantly on hold.
• You are moving house. If that's you, see our dedicated guide - Moving house: should you switch Internet providers? - which covers what changes when you relocate.

A creeping bill is one of the most common triggers for a switch. Providers often price new customer plans more competitively than what existing customers get. It sounds unfair on paper, but it's how companies hook new sign-ups. After your first six months in a plan, you may find your price changing and it costs more over time.

Comparing your current price to what a new customer pays today is a simple check before you decide to stay.

None of these signs mean you are locked in with your current provider forever. Most nbn® plans in Australia are no lock-in, so you are free to compare and switch whenever it suits you. Compare plans at your address using the Compare Broadband plan checker above. This way, you can see what is actually available before you decide.

How to switch nbn® providers in 4 steps

Switching nbn® providers is a four-step process, and in most cases, you do not need to contact your current provider at all.

1. Check your current plan and notice period. Look for any minimum term or exit fee so you know what, if anything, applies when you leave.
2. Compare plans at your address. Use the Compare Broadband plan checker to see which providers and speed tiers are available where you live.
3. Sign up with your new provider. They will organise the connection and, in most cases, cancel your old service on your behalf.
4. Keep your old modem connected until your new service is active, then swap over on the day your new provider confirms.

Most providers coordinate the switch between themselves, so you are not left arranging two separate appointments. If you are staying at the same address, ask your new provider whether a technician visit is needed before you swap.

How long does it take to switch nbn® providers?

Switching to a new nbn® provider typically takes one to two days once your order is confirmed. Some switches complete on the same day.

After you sign up, your new provider notifies your current one and sets a migration date. On that date, your connection usually moves across in the background for most fibre and cable connections. If a technician visit is required, your new provider will book this in with you directly. This usually happens with older connection types rather than newer ones.

Do you need a technician visit?

Whether a technician needs to visit your home depends on your connection type. It also depends on whether your home wiring is already active.

Full fibre and cable connections in established homes are often activated remotely, with no visit required. Older connection types may need a technician to complete the switch. This is the case for properties where the internal wiring has never been connected

Switching when you are moving house

Moving house adds a few extra steps. This is because there is a chance that your new address might have a different connection type or provider altogether.

Rather than repeat that process here, our dedicated guide - Moving house: should you switch Internet providers? - walks through what changes when you relocate and how to time your switch around moving day.

Things to consider before you switch

Before you switch, there are a few things to check over.

• Contract terms. No lock-in plans let you leave anytime. Fixed-term plans may include an exit fee, so check yours before switching.
• Changing speed tiers. Many providers let you move to a faster or slower plan without switching providers or signing a new contract. It's worth checking first if speed or price is your only issue.
• Bundles. If you have a bundled service, you can confirm your new provider offers the same bundle before you cancel the old one.

If ongoing service issues are the real problem, not price, read what to do during an nbn® outage. Don’t assume switching is the only fix.

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 (2025). Connecting to the nbn® network. Available at: nbn®co.com.au
• ACMA (2025). Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code. Australian Communications and Media Authority. Available at: acma.gov.au