Connecting Your New House to the NBN: A Step-by-Step Guide

A reliable internet connection is essential in today’s world, whether for work, entertainment, or keeping in touch with friends and family. In Australia, most homes connect to the National Broadband Network (NBN), which provides high-speed broadband access across the country. If you’ve recently moved into a new home or are in the process of building one, setting up an NBN connection is an important step that requires planning and coordination. 

This guide will walk you through the process of checking NBN availability, choosing a provider, installing and activating the service, and ensuring a smooth connection process. 

The importance of early planning for nbn connection

When moving into a newly built home, one of the most common mistakes people make is leaving the NBN setup until the last minute. Unlike established homes where infrastructure is already in place, newly constructed houses often require additional cabling and equipment installation. This can lead to delays if not arranged in advance. 

Early planning ensures that you have a working internet connection as soon as you move in, preventing disruptions to work, streaming, or household connectivity. It also helps avoid extra costs associated with urgent installations or retrofitting data points after construction is complete. 

Checking nbn availability and infrastructure

Before proceeding with your NBN connection, it’s important to check whether your property is NBN-ready and what type of connection is available in your area. 

How to check nbn availability

The first step is to check if NBN services are available at your address. Visit the official NBN Co website (www.nbnco.com.au) and enter your address in the NBN address checker. This will show whether your home is already connected to the network or if additional infrastructure work is needed. 

Confirming necessary infrastructure at your property 

If you’re moving into a newly built house, you may need to arrange for lead-in cabling, which connects your home to the broader NBN network. Some properties may also require an NBN utility box, particularly for Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections. 

It’s a good idea to confirm with your builder or developer whether they have pre-installed the required cabling or if you need to organise this separately. 

Types of nbn connections 

The type of NBN technology at your address affects both the installation process and the performance of your internet connection. The most common types of NBN connections include: 

• Fibre to the Premises (FTTP): Considered the fastest and most reliable connection, this type requires an NBN utility box installed inside or outside the home. 

• Fibre to the Node (FTTN): Uses existing copper wiring from a nearby node to your home, making it slightly slower than FTTP. 

• Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC): Uses a mix of fibre optic cables and coaxial cables, commonly used in areas with existing cable internet infrastructure. 

• Fixed Wireless and Satellite: These are typically used in rural or remote areas where wired connections are not feasible. 

Planning your nbn connection

Once you confirm that your home is NBN-ready, the next step is to plan how the connection will be set up inside your property. 

Coordinating with your builder

If your home is still under construction, work with your builder to ensure that NBN cabling and equipment are installed in the right locations. Builders can often integrate network wiring into the construction process, saving time and additional costs later on. 

Choosing optimal locations for nbn equipment

The placement of your NBN connection box and modem/router can impact Wi-Fi performance. Ideally, the installation should be in a central location within your home, away from electrical interference and thick walls that could weaken the signal. 

Planning internal wiring and data ports

For the best connectivity, consider installing Ethernet ports in key areas like living rooms, home offices, or gaming setups. Hardwired connections provide more stable speeds than Wi-Fi, making them ideal for devices that require high bandwidth. 

Selecting a plan and provider

Choosing the right NBN plan is crucial to ensure you get the best balance of speed, reliability, and cost. 

Factors to consider when choosing an internet plan

When selecting an internet plan, consider: 

• Speed requirements: Households with multiple users or 4K streaming should opt for faster plans like Exetel’s One plan. 

• Data limits: Most providers now offer unlimited data, but it’s still worth checking if any limits apply. 

• Contract terms: Some providers offer no-lock-in contracts, while others require 12- ,24-month or even longer agreements. 

• Customer service reputation: Look at reviews and ACCC reports for ISPs with good technical support and reliable service quality. 

Comparing Different Providers and Their Offerings 

There are multiple NBN providers in Australia. Comparing prices, customer service ratings, and additional perks such as bundled mobile plans can help you find the best deal. 

The nbn installation process 

Submitting a pre-installation request

For newly built homes, you may need to submit a new development application with NBN Co to arrange installation. Some ISPs handle this process for you when you sign up for a plan so confirm this with your provider 

What to expect during the installation appointment 

An NBN technician will visit your property to install the required equipment. The process varies depending on the connection type, with some installations requiring both external and internal work. 

Standard vs. Non-Standard installations 

If additional cabling or trenching is required, non-standard installation fees may apply. Confirm with your provider whether your installation falls under a standard category. 

Activating your nbn service 

Once your NBN installation is complete, you need to activate your service. 

Steps to Activate Your NBN Connection 

• Connect your modem/router to the NBN connection box. 

• Follow the ISP’s activation instructions (some require you to log in to an online portal). 

• Restart your modem after activation to establish a stable connection. 

Troubleshooting common activation issues 

If your internet isn’t working after activation, check whether all cables are properly connected, restart your modem, or contact your ISP’s customer support for further assistance. 

Tips for a smooth nbn connection

To avoid delays and connection issues, make sure to: 

• Arrange your NBN installation well before moving in. 

• Confirm compatibility between your modem and your NBN connection type. 

• Budget for potential additional costs, such as internal wiring or modem purchases. 

Setting up an NBN connection in a new home requires careful planning, from checking availability to choosing the right provider and overseeing installation. By ensuring your home has the necessary infrastructure and preparing for installation in advance, you can enjoy fast and reliable internet as soon as you move in. 

With the growing demand for high-speed broadband, planning ahead can future-proof your home and ensure a seamless digital experience for years to come.