Switching NBN Plans Mid-Cycle — How Billing Works

Life changes — you might want to upgrade to a faster plan or downgrade to save money. But when can you actually make the switch, and how does the billing work?

Australian NBN providers use one of three billing models when you change plans mid-cycle. They matter a lot if you want to avoid surprise charges.

1. Pro-Rata Billing

You are charged only for the days you use. Join on the 10th of a 30-day cycle and you pay for the remaining 20 days.

• Joining mid-cycle: You pay for the remaining days of the current cycle
• Leaving mid-cycle: You get credited for the unused days
• Changing plans mid-cycle: You pay pro-rata for both the old and new plan during the overlap period

2. End-of-Month Changes

Changes take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You keep paying for your current plan until the cycle ends, then the new plan starts.

• Simple and predictable — you never split a bill between two plans
• Less flexible — you cannot change mid-cycle, even if you want to

3. 30-Day Notice Required

Some providers require 30 days' written notice before changing plans. This means you are locked into your current plan for a full billing cycle after giving notice.

⚠️ This is the most expensive trap in NBN billing. A provider may let you sign up quickly but then hold you to their terms for 30 days after any change. Always check before you commit.

How to Check a Provider's Billing Policy

Every provider on NBN Tracker lists their billing policy on their detail page. We also track:

• Notice periods — how many days of notice are required before a plan change
• Plan change frequency — whether you can upgrade/downgrade daily, monthly, or at fixed intervals
• Static IP availability — included in the plan or available as a paid add-on

Browse all providers and compare their billing policies before committing.