How does the nbn upgrade rollout work?

nbn upgrades are delivered in planned phases that prioritise areas where existing infrastructure can be efficiently replaced with fibre.

Infrastructure type: Your current connection type matters most

Your current connection type plays the biggest role in eligibility and timing:

• Fibre to the Node (FTTN): a major focus because copper performance can degrade over distance and limit speed tiers.
• Fibre to the Curb (FTTC): progressively included in fibre upgrade programs, with eligibility typically tied to whether your local infrastructure is ready and whether you move onto an eligible plan tier.

Location: Why rollout varies by street

Eligibility is tied to local network design (pits/ducts, civil works, remediation needs, and which part of the network your street connects to). That’s why “same suburb” doesn’t always mean “same timing”.

How nbn prioritises which areas are upgraded first

Your current situation	What it likely means
On FTTN in an area with ageing pits and ducts	Often a longer wait if remediation is needed before fibre can be installed.
On FTTN in a metro or high-demand area	More likely to be in an earlier rollout phase (not guaranteed).
On FTTC in a standalone home	Often eligible if you move onto an eligible plan tier (requirements vary by address and can change over time).
On FTTC in a multi-dwelling building	May already be exempt from the high-speed tier requirement under nbn’s complex MDU program.
On HFC	May be able to access higher speed tiers on the existing network where available (no FTTP upgrade required).
On FTTB (apartment block)	Not currently part of the free upgrade program. Limited trial underway for selected buildings.

Why hasn’t my suburb been upgraded yet?

Your suburb may not yet be scheduled if the local infrastructure requires complex remediation, additional civil works, or isn’t prioritised in the current rollout phase. It’s more common than people think, and it’s not necessarily a reflection of where you live.

Why can one street become eligible while the next one over is still waiting?

It’s pretty simple. This usually comes down to how the physical network is built (which node your street connects to and whether additional ductwork is needed) rather than suburb boundaries.
If your address isn’t currently eligible, it may become so later as more areas are enabled. An address check is the quickest way to confirm status.

What happens once my area is eligible?

Once your address is eligible, you choose an eligible plan and book installation through your provider. The physical upgrade fee is free for most standard installations, as nbn covers the cost of running fibre to your premises.

You’ll need to be on a higher speed tier (such as an nbn 100 to qualify for the upgrade, although this can vary by connection type). From there, an nbn technician schedules the install, which usually takes between 2 and 4 hours.

A full breakdown of what’s involved can be found on our nbn upgrade process and cost page.

Rollout vs. free fibre upgrade: what’s the difference?

These two terms get mixed up a lot.

• The “rollout” is when nbn makes an area eligible. That’s the behind-the-scenes infrastructure work that happens at the suburb or street level.
• A “free fibre upgrade” is what happens at your individual premises once you order an eligible plan and an nbn technician connects the fibre.

In simple terms: the rollout has to reach your area first, then you request the upgrade. More details about this can be found on our free & full upgrades page.

What speeds can I get after upgrading?

If your address is upgraded to full fibre (FTTP), you can generally access faster speed tiers than copper-based connections like FTTN, or many FTTC services can reliably deliver, especially during busy evening periods.

Speed Tier	On FTTN/FTTC (copper)	On FTTP/HFC (after uplift)
nbn 25	Available	Available
nbn 50	Available	Available
nbn 100	Available	Available
nbn 250+	Not Available	Available

Why people feel the difference most

For anyone gaming, streaming, and working from home,  the biggest “real-world” improvements are usually:

• better uploads (video calls, cloud backups, sending large files)
• lower latency (more responsive connection, particularly on fibre vs copper)
• more consistent performance when multiple people/devices are online

In short: fibre often feels smoother and more reliable in everyday use, particularly when the network is busiest, like during peak evenings.

Not sure where you stand? We’ll help you work it out.

Plenty of people come to us not knowing what technology they’re on, let alone whether they’re eligible for an upgrade. If you need help figuring anything out when it comes to nbn eligibility, check your address or call us on 1300 759 637. We’ll have a look at what’s available in your area and talk you through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions