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NBN cut-off date in your suburb
Make sure you switch from ADSL to NBN within 18 months so you can stay connected to the internet.
Key takeaways
- Your internet provider and NBN Co should notify you when the NBN becomes available in your suburb
- Your cut-off date is 18 months after receiving this notice
- The cut-off does not apply if you have access to NBN fixed wireless or Sky Muster
What is my NBN disconnection date?
When the NBN becomes available in your area, you'll be notified by NBN Co and your current internet provider that it's time to switch.
From the moment that you can switch to the NBN, you typically have 18 months to move your services to the new network before the old one is switched off.
If you don't arrange to switch to the NBN within that period, your existing internet and phone services will likely be disconnected without compensation or replacement.
You can enter your address in the Finder NBN tracker to view your planned cut-off date.
Is switching to the NBN compulsory?
No, it isn't. The NBN might be seen as the "normal" choice for home internet, but it doesn't mean it's your only choice.
Home wireless broadband is a relatively new connection type that allows you to wirelessly connect to the internet. It uses the same mobile networks as your phone plan to set up this connection.
Unlike NBN plans which are tied to your address, you can easily move around your home wireless – all that's needed is to plug in the modem it comes with.
- Keep in mind that because home wireless uses mobile networks, the connection is less stable than fixed-line NBN. Your connection quality will depend on factors such as weather and location.
What happens if I don't switch to the NBN?
Failing to switch over to the NBN or an alternative will lead to your ADSL being disconnected permanently, leaving you with no online access.
This applies to your home phone as well. If your phone gets disconnected because you didn't switch in time, there's a good chance your home phone number will be lost for good.
Will all suburbs eventually have their ADSL services cut off?
No. Only suburbs where fixed-line NBN is being rolled out will have their ADSL cut off.
The cut-off date doesn't apply to those in fixed wireless or Sky Muster NBN areas. ADSL and copper telephone line services will be left intact in those suburbs, with no current plans to cut these particular copper lines.
Finder survey: How many Australians would take advantage of a free NBN fibre upgrade if it became available
| Response | |
|---|---|
| Yes since it's free | 63.3% |
| Yes because I want faster internet | 23.06% |
| No I can't be bothered | 7.58% |
| No for other reason | 4.04% |
| Yes for other reason | 2.02% |
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1006 Australians, December 2023
What exactly gets cut off by the NBN?
Here are the copper services you won't be able to keep with the NBN rollout:
- Telstra home phone or landline services (excluding some Telstra Velocity lines)
- Other home phone or landlines using Telstra's copper network
- Any form of ADSL internet connection
- Existing Telstra BigPond cable internet connections
- Optus cable internet and cable phone services
- Security or fire alarms and fax machines connected to the existing copper network
But you do get to keep:
- Satellite and cable TV (cable TV can be switched across to the NBN)
- Fixed wireless or NBN Sky Muster satellite broadband
Services that are migrated to the NBN will stop working in the event of a power outage, unlike on the copper network.
- Why this matters: If you have critical devices that you need to function 24/7, you should contact the manufacturer or your internet provider to make arrangements.
How do I switch to the NBN?
Assuming you want to stay with your current provider, simply purchase one of its NBN plans and the rest will be handled – including getting you set up with a new modem, if necessary.
Otherwise, compare NBN plans to find a speed and price that suits you.
- Keep in mind that you will still need a technician to come and physically connect your property to the NBN. Since technicians can have lengthy queues, we highly recommend switching well before your disconnection date.
Compare NBN plans
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Ask a question
How can the Government say that everyone is going to be on NBN when my area is still on copper line from the house to the junction box on my street then to about 2 kilo meter or 3 away from a main junction?
Hi C Valentino,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
It could be that your area isn’t NBN ready yet. We do have an NBN tracker where you can check the availability of NBN in your area.
If you have confirmed that your area isn’t NBN ready yet, you would have to wait. You can also ask NBN when your area would be accommodated. On the other hand, if your area is already NBN ready, then you would need to directly get in touch with your provider and arrange the move of your connection to NBN.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
We are with W3 Networks. Do we have to change?
Hi Janet,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
You don’t have to change since W3 Networks offers wireless connection.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
What about cable customers that were given access, then had it suspended due to Telstra’s bogus contract with NBN?
We’ve just been given a letter we can proceed, so how long do we have? 18 months from the original date, or the new date?
Hi Dawesi,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Regarding your query, it is best to clarify that with your provider. They will contact NBN Co about any changes that happen/will happen in your area.
If you are looking for a page you can use as a reference for NBN links and contacts for consumers like you, please check out the ACMA official page.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
My mum has no computer devices at home but has a Telstra land line.
What will she need to do to keep her landline?
Hi Gotti,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Australia is currently undergoing a digital transformation from a predominantly copper network, to the national rollout of the Multi Technology Mix (MTM), predominantly on a fibre network. This will affect the way you currently use your landline, particularly in a power outage. I recommend that you move your services over to the nbn™ access network well before they are switched off, which occurs 18 months after the network is switched on in your area. So please contact your provider regarding your mother’s homephone.
As per surveys, homephones would completely vanish by 2037.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Landlines will always be used. Business isn’t going to just move to mobiles just because of a survey. They will just move to voip, as most have already.
Technology changes, people and habits don’t. It’s 2018 and we still use phones, we always will, just _how_ we use them changes, but one thing is for sure cellular phones will not be the standard once lawsuits start rolling for the danger (already proven) they emit through transmissions the brain.
I.e. skype is a landline, as is facebook messenger video and voice – it’s just through wifi.
Also considering the lawsuits on using mobiles have started (as they have now been proven to cause cancer in your brain), I’m sure that businesses will move back to voip in an effort to avoid class actions against employers who only provide mobiles.
I have been informed that NBN will not roll out to my suburb in the foreseeable future. The problem is that my suburb is too far from the centre of town(about 5kms from the Orange PO) That is great news as I have ADSL2 without dropouts. I have been told that the dodgy wireless would be the only option. Fortunately, covenants on my property prohibit ugly satellite dishes.
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your message and for visiting Finder.
It’s great to hear that you’ll have better broadband service near your area. Since you are just 5kms shy from the town center, surely, the service will get better soon. You can check our list of NBN plans to be updated. Just enter your exact location and it will show you the services offered in your area.
Once you have chosen a particular plan, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Cheers,
Nikki