NBN cut-off date in your area: know when you’ll be disconnected

By Elliot Nash

Last updated 24 November 2021

Your existing home phone and internet services will be disconnected 18 months after your home is connected to the NBN.

Over 12 million premises in Australia are either connected or ready to connect to the National Broadband Network (NBN). If you haven't already signed up to an NBN plan and your place is eligible for a connection, you'll need to make the move soon: your old phone and internet services will be disconnected 18 months after your home or office is connected to the NBN.

To avoid losing internet access, here's what you need to know.

First up is the timeline for how the NBN is rolled out to each household:

You can check your address here to find out when your home will be connected to the NBN.
NBN technicians will install the necessary cables in your neighbourhood or premises.
Necessary equipment may also be installed on your property by NBN technicians.
Your internet service provider will contact you once they can offer you an NBN plan.
Once connected, your old telephone and internet services (ADSL) will be disconnected at your address 18 months later.

Another thing to be aware of is the cut-off date is different for each customer. There's no single day where ADSL gets switched off, it depends on when you are first eligible to sign up to an NBN plan.

Before we continue, note that when we talk about NBN disconnection dates, we're not referring to your NBN being disconnected. We're talking about the day your ADSL will be cut-off after your home is first connected to the NBN.

In this guide:

Finding your NBN disconnection date
Do I have to switch to the NBN?
How to switch to the NBN
Do I have to stay with my existing provider when switching to the NBN?
Are there alternatives to the NBN?

Ready to choose an NBN plan? Here are a few to compare.

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel 100/18 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $65/mth Min. cost $65 Deal: Includes $16.95 off your plan for first 6 months! $65/mth for first 6 months, then $81.95/mth	100%	Go to Site
#2	Exetel	Exetel 50/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $60.99/mth Min. cost $60.99 Deal: Includes $19/mth off for first 6 months - $60.99/mth for first 6 months, then $79.99/mth.	42%	Go to Site
#3	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Deal: Includes $23/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/month for first 6 months, then $82.90/month + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25	41%	Go to Site
#4	TPG	TPG 50/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. T&Cs apply.	27%	Go to Site
#5	iiNet	iiNet 50/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25	15%	Go to Site
#6	Superloop	Superloop 50/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $67/mth Min. cost $67 Deal: Incl. $14/mth off for 6 months! $67/mth for 6 mths, then $81/mth + Free Amazon eero 6+ if you stay connected for 24 mths	12%	Go to Site
#7	Optus	Optus 100/18 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $89/mth Min. cost $89 Deal: Introductory Offer - $89/mth for first 6 mths on Optus Plus Everyday Fast plan (normally $99/mth). T&Cs apply.	7%	Link not supplied
#8	Telstra	Telstra 50/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $105/mth Min. cost $105	5%	Link not supplied
#9	iPrimus	iPrimus 50/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $84/mth Min. cost $84	3%	Go to Site
#10	Southern Phone	Southern Phone 100/19 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $65/mth Min. cost $65 Deal: Includes $24/mth off for 12 months! $65/mth for 12 months, then $89/mth. Offer ends 05.08.25	3%	Link not supplied

Finding your NBN disconnection date

The easiest way to determine your old ADSL will be cut-off is to use our address checker, which will tell you whether or not your home is ready to connect to the NBN.

NBN Co will keep you informed on the progress of the NBN installation, and if so what to do next. When running a search for internet plans on WhistleOut using your address, our search engine checks for an NBN connection and reports back information directly from NBN Co. Here are the messages you’ll receive from us when you look up your address.

Planned: approximate date range for installation
In Progress: the installation has begun
Available Soon: based on your timeline, NBN is six months away from availability
Available: NBN is now available from service providers

If you receive an “NBN is now available” message, that means your premises is connected, and your NBN cut-off date will occur sometime in the next 18 months. To get the precise date of your cut-off, input your address on the NBN website, click “Check residential” or “Check business”, and then scroll down to the ‘Disconnection information’ section.

Ready to choose an NBN plan? Here are a few to compare.

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel 100/18 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $65/mth Min. cost $65 Deal: Includes $16.95 off your plan for first 6 months! $65/mth for first 6 months, then $81.95/mth	100%	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 100/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $65.90/mth Min. cost $65.90 Deal: Includes $20/mth off for the first 6 mths, $65.90/mth for first 6 months, then $85.90/mth + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25	39%	Go to Site
#3	Exetel	Exetel 100/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $65.99/mth Min. cost $65.99 Deal: Includes $19/mth off for first 6 months - $65.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth	20%	Go to Site
#4	TPG	TPG 100/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $79.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $79.99/mth for first 6 months, then $94.99/mth. T&Cs apply.	13%	Go to Site
#5	Optus	Optus 100/18 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $89/mth Min. cost $89 Deal: Introductory Offer - $89/mth for first 6 mths on Optus Plus Everyday Fast plan (normally $99/mth). T&Cs apply.	7%	Link not supplied
#6	iiNet	iiNet 800/40 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $94.99/mth Min. cost $94.99 Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths - $94.99/mth for first 6 months, then $109.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25	6%	Go to Site
#7	Superloop	Superloop 100/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $75/mth Min. cost $75 Deal: Incl. $14/mth off 6 months! $75/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Free Amazon eero 6+ if you stay connected for 24 mths	6%	Go to Site
#8	Telstra	Telstra 250/22 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $130/mth Min. cost $130	3%	Link not supplied
#9	Southern Phone	Southern Phone 100/19 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $65/mth Min. cost $65 Deal: Includes $24/mth off for 12 months! $65/mth for 12 months, then $89/mth. Offer ends 05.08.25	3%	Link not supplied
#10	Origin Broadband	Origin Broadband 100/17 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $105/mth Min. cost $105 Deal: Online only sign up includes 5,000 Everyday Rewards Points & 12mths of Paramount+ when you sign up to Origin internet	3%	Link not supplied

Does this mean I have to switch to the NBN?

If you want access to the internet or require a home phone connection, then you will absolutely need to switch over to the NBN before your ADSL is cut. If you currently have other devices connected to your landline such as emergency alert systems, security alarms, or EFTPOS machines, you must contact your device provider before switching to the NBN.

Depending on the type of device that you have, you will also need to register the device with NBN Co. Make sure you confirm the type of NBN service that is required and that your device has been tested to confirm it works.

Because NBN Co uses a range of technology types to connect households to the NBN, this means the plans available to you are determined by the current infrastructure installed at your house. These technology types include Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), Fibre to the Node (FTTN), and HFC. To learn about what technology your premises is sitting on, refer to our NBN rollout map or check out our NBN FAQs guide.

Once connected, NBN service providers will contact you about available internet plans for your household, along with the option for a landline connection which will also be transmitted over the NBN, rather than the old copper phone lines. Only Satellite and Sky Muster customers are be exempt from this change

How to switch to the NBN

Fortunately, switching over couldn’t be easier. Since the process of connecting your home to the NBN is entirely free, once the NBN is live in your area, the next step is to pick an NBN service provider and choose a plan. Purchasing your plan can be done online, over the phone, or at a retail store in person. Once that’s sorted, your NBN service provider of choice will then handle the process of switching your current internet service over to your new plan.

Do be aware that there may be a small period of downtime between switching off your old internet connection and switching on the NBN. If you're without internet during the switch-over for more than three days, your carrier is obliged to offer an interim service. For example, more mobile data or credit towards mobile data while you wait.

NBN plans are offered on four different speed tiers with an additional two offered for all FTTP and most HFC customers. These tiers reflect the maximum speeds you can get on these plans.

However, the actual speeds you get at home will still be dependent on:

The NBN plan and provider you choose.
Congestion during peak hours (this is what is meant by 'evening speeds').

Much in the same way that traffic on the road can slow down during peak hours, the NBN can too. And for pretty much the same reason. You share the NBN with other people in your neighbourhood and connections tend to slow down in the evenings (7pm - 11pm) when everyone is jumping online to stream, surf, download, and more.

Do I have to stay with my existing provider when switching to the NBN?

Nope, you don't have to stick with your existing internet provider. You can pick whichever NBN service provider you’d like.

Choosing a new NBN provider

Thanks to the NBN, there are more internet providers in Australia than ever before, and they're hungry for your business. More providers mean its a great time to grab yourself a bargain deal.

Upgrading your NBN connection

NBN Co has recently made the call to upgrade two million premises on FTTN to FTTP - which offers customers a more reliable and stable internet connection, in addition to opening up faster NBN internet tiers.

Previously, a house or business on FTTN had to be within 400 metres of the local exchange to have any chance of achieving NBN 100 (Fast) speeds. Whereas, all FTTP connections are free of these issues and can easily reach even higher download rates of up to 1Gbps (ten times faster than an NBN 100 connection).

Switching poor FTTN connections to FTTP will give Aussies access to proper NBN 50 and NBN 100 typical evening speeds, as well as the option to access even faster speed tiers like NBN 250 and NBN 1000. If you don't know what technology type is being used to connect your home or business, you can refer to our NBN rollout map to find out.

NBN Co intends to roll out upgrades to all FTTN connections by 2023. See our guide on FTTP upgrades for more information.

Interested in signing up for a Superfast NBN plan? Here are a few to compare.

#1	Dodo	Dodo 250/21 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $83.90/mth Min. cost $83.90 12mths Deal: Incl. $15/mth discount for 12 months based on the standard price $98.90/mth*. Ends 29.04.25. T&Cs apply	100%	Go to Site
#2	SpinTel	SpinTel 240/22 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $80/mth Min. cost $80 Deal: Includes $9.95/mth off for the life of the plan while you stay connected to this plan. T&Cs apply	52%	Go to Site
#3	TPG	TPG 250/21 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $84.99/mth Min. cost $84.99 Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $84.99/mth for first 6 months, then $99.99/mth. T&Cs apply.	17%	Go to Site
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom nbn® Wireless Superfast Speed Unlimited Data $65.90/mth Min. cost $65.90 Deal: Includes $20/mth off for the first 6 mths - $65.90/month for first 6 months, then $85.90/month + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25	11%	Go to Site
#5	Exetel	Exetel 220/21 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $80.99/mth Min. cost $80.99 Deal: Includes $18/mth off for first 6 months - $80.99/mth for first 6 months, then $98.99/mth.	9%	Go to Site
#6	Superloop	Superloop 250/21 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $85/mth Min. cost $85 Deal: Incl. $14/mth off for 6 months! $85/mth for 6 mths, then $99/mth + Free Amazon eero 6+ if you stay connected for 24 mths	7%	Go to Site
#7	iiNet	iiNet 250/21 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $84.99/mth Min. cost $84.99 Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths - $84.99/mth for first 6 months, then $99.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25	6%	Go to Site
#8	Optus	Optus 245/22 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $99/mth Min. cost $99 Deal: Intro Offer - $99/mth for first 6 mths on Optus Plus Everyday Superfast nbn plan (normally $119/mth). T&Cs apply.	3%	Link not supplied
#9	Telstra	Telstra 250/22 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $130/mth Min. cost $130	3%	Link not supplied
#10	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet 250/21 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $84.90/mth Min. cost $84.90 Deal: $84.90/mth for first 6 months and revert back to $94.90/mth thereafter. Offer ends 30.05.25	3%	Go to Site

Are there alternatives to the NBN?

While the NBN is the easiest and only way to access the internet via a physical connection, there is an alternative to getting your home online. Home wireless broadband uses mobile phone networks to connect your home to the web wirelessly. If you don’t want to switch over or have what we call the NBN Blues, you can check out NBN alternatives like 4G home internet or faster 5G home internet.

Ready to choose a home wireless broadband plan? Here are a few to compare.

#1	iiNet	iiNet 50/16 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $49.99/mth Min. cost $49.99 Deal: Includes $10/mth off for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.	100%	Go to Site
#2	TPG	TPG 100/18 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $54.99/mth Min. cost $54.99 Deal: Includes $10/mth off for 6 months! $54.99/mth for first 6 months, then $64.99/mth. Available until withdrawn. T&C apply.	62%	Go to Site
#3	Telstra	Telstra 300/30 Mbps typical evening speed 1000GB Data $85/mth Min. cost $85	4%	Link not supplied
#4	Optus	Optus 210/20 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $89/mth Min. cost $89 Deal: Intro Offer - $89/mth for 6 mths on this plan (normally $99/mth). T&Cs apply.	3%	Link not supplied
#5	SpinTel	SpinTel 25/2 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $53.95/mth Min. cost $69.95	3%	Link not supplied
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone 16/1.9 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $50/mth Min. cost $50 Deal: Includes $10/mth off for first 6 mths + Save $10/mth when you already have a mobile phone plan with Vodafone	3%	Link not supplied
#7	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet 16/1.9 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $149.70 Min. cost $149.70 Deal: Free modem included on the Kogan 90-day 4G Internet Plan! Average cost $49.90/mth (based on total once-off cost $149.70)	3%	Link not supplied
#8	Yomojo	Yomojo 43 Mbps typical evening speed Unlimited Data $69.90/mth Min. cost $69.90	3%	Link not supplied

Want more information about the NBN?

Got questions? We've got answers. Whether you want to know what the NBN is, how to connect, if you have to connect, how much it will cost, what the alternatives are, or something else entirely, check out our complete guide to the NBN.