NBN speed tiers explained

What NBN 25, 50, 100, 250 and 1000 actually mean, using NBN Co-defined figures — verified current for 2026.

See the tier table

What an NBN Speed Tier Actually Is

An NBN speed tier is a wholesale speed plan that sets the maximum download and upload speed NBN Co delivers to your home over the National Broadband Network. The number in the name is the peak download speed in megabits per second (Mbps): NBN 25 tops out at 25 Mbps download, NBN 100 at 100 Mbps, and so on. Your retail provider (RSP) buys this wholesale tier from NBN Co and sells it to you as a plan. The tier is a ceiling, not a guarantee — the real speed you receive depends on your connection technology, the wiring to your premises, and how congested the network is during busy evening hours. NBN Co defines the current tier set; NBN 12 is legacy and is being phased out, so it rarely appears on new plans.

NBN speed tier

A wholesale download/upload speed ceiling defined by NBN Co, named after its maximum download speed in Mbps (e.g. NBN 50 = up to 50 Mbps down).

Verify the current tier list against NBN Co at generation — tiers are periodically revised.

The NBN Speed Tiers, Tier by Tier

Each NBN tier is defined by a maximum download and upload speed set by NBN Co. The figures below are wholesale maximums, verified current for 2026 — the speed reaching your device is typically lower and depends on your technology type and evening congestion. NBN 12 is included only as a legacy reference; it is being retired.

NBN 25StandardUp to 25 Mbps down / 5-10 Mbps up
NBN 50Standard PlusUp to 50 Mbps down / 20 Mbps up
NBN 100FastUp to 100 Mbps down / 20-40 Mbps up
NBN 1000UltrafastUp to 1000 Mbps down (FTTP/HFC only)

Maximum Tier Speed vs. What You Actually Get

The tier number is a maximum, not a promise. The ACCC's Measuring Broadband Australia program measures the speeds households actually receive, and it reports these separately for the busy evening period (roughly 7pm to 11pm), when the whole neighbourhood is online at once. On a fixed-line connection capable of the full tier speed, a well-provisioned plan reaches close to its maximum outside busy hours and dips during the evening peak. Two homes on the same NBN 100 tier can see different real speeds because one is on a connection technology that can carry 100 Mbps and the other is on a technology that physically cannot. That distinction — how much of your tier your technology can deliver — is covered on the connection-type page linked below. This page stays on what each tier is defined as; the evening-speed-versus-advertised comparison for your own plan is a separate check.

How to Read a Tier When Choosing or Checking a Plan

Use these steps to make sense of any NBN tier figure you see advertised, then move to the page that answers your specific question.

  1. 1

    Read the download number

    The tier name (25/50/100/250/1000) is the maximum download speed in Mbps — the ceiling, not the guaranteed speed.

  2. 2

    Check the upload figure

    Upload speed is set separately and is usually a fraction of download — it matters for video calls and cloud backups.

  3. 3

    Match it to your technology

    Confirm your connection type can physically carry the tier before you pay for it.

  4. 4

    Compare against real evening speed

    Once on a tier, check your measured busy-hour speed against what the tier promises.

Where NBN 12 Fits (and Why It's Disappearing)

NBN 12 was the original entry-level tier, offering up to 12 Mbps download. NBN Co is phasing it out, and most retail providers no longer offer it on new connections, having moved entry-level customers toward NBN 25 and above. It remains only on some older plans. Because the tier list is revised periodically by NBN Co, the definitions on this page are checked against the current NBN Co wholesale speed tiers and the latest ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia report at the time of writing. If you are comparing plans, always confirm the current tier set on your provider's plan page, since a tier that appeared last year may no longer be sold. Treat any older article listing NBN 12 as a mainstream option as out of date.

Frequently Asked Questions

what speed should I get on NBN
The right tier depends on your household size and usage, not a single answer. NBN 50 suits most small households; NBN 100 suits larger homes with heavy streaming or gaming. Your connection technology must be able to carry the tier. See our which-tier guide for a household-specific answer.
What is the difference between NBN 50 and NBN 100?
NBN 50 has a maximum download of 50 Mbps; NBN 100 doubles that to 100 Mbps, per NBN Co's wholesale tier definitions. NBN 100 also usually carries a higher upload ceiling. Both are maximums — real speeds depend on your connection technology and busy-hour congestion.
Is NBN 12 still available?
NBN 12 is legacy and being phased out by NBN Co. Most retail providers no longer sell it on new connections and have moved entry-level customers to NBN 25 or above. It survives only on some older plans and should not be treated as a current mainstream tier.
Do I actually get the full speed of my NBN tier?
Rarely the exact maximum. The tier number is a ceiling. Real speed depends on your connection technology's physical limit and busy-hour (7-11pm) congestion, which the ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia program tracks. Some technologies cannot physically reach higher tiers at all.
Which NBN tier is fastest?
NBN 1000 is the fastest tier, offering up to 1000 Mbps download, followed by NBN 250. Both are typically available only on FTTP and some HFC connections, since other technology types cannot physically deliver those speeds. NBN 100 is the most common high-speed tier.
why is my NBN slow
A slow NBN connection usually comes from busy-hour congestion, a tier your technology cannot fully deliver, in-home wiring, an ageing modem, or Wi-Fi limits. Our why-is-my-NBN-slow diagnostic hub maps each cause to a fix, using NBN Co and ACCC guidance.