Starlink in Australia: plans, speeds and how it compares with NBN
Starlink sells three Residential plans in Australia (100 Mbps, 200 Mbps and Max), which are month to month with no lock-in contract, plus Roam plans for travel and portable use, according to its Australian site and Critical Information Summaries as at 28 September 2026. You buy it direct from Starlink or through Telstra, set up the dish yourself (Residential Max includes professional installation), and need a clear view of the sky.
Starlink is a satellite internet service run by SpaceX, using thousands of satellites in low orbit. Because they are much closer than nbn's Sky Muster satellites, it has far lower delay, and the ACCC's testing found it faster than Sky Muster too. This page covers the plans and the prices Starlink published on 10 October 2026 (from $75 a month for Residential 100 Mbps, where it's sold), what you pay for in the first year, speeds and what they're good for, availability, the regulatory position, and the alternatives.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team · Last reviewed
General information only. We don't compare every provider or plan in the market, and we may earn a commission if you sign up through our links.
How Starlink works
Starlink's satellites are in low orbit, far closer to earth than a geostationary satellite like Sky Muster, which sits about 36,000 km up. The dish on your property talks to whichever satellites are overhead, and they relay traffic to ground stations connected to the internet. The short distance is what gives Starlink its low latency, typically 25 to 60 milliseconds according to its Australian Critical Information Summaries.
The kit includes the dish (Starlink's current Australian spec is the Standard kit with a built-in router, Router 3, and a 15 m cable). Starlink describes set-up as plug and play and the Residential service as user installed; the Residential Max plan includes professional installation. The Starlink Mini is a smaller, portable kit with a built-in router, offered with Roam plans and as an optional extra kit on Residential Max.
Starlink plans in Australia
Starlink's Australian plans page lists these plans as at 28 September 2026. All have unlimited data except Roam 100GB, and the Residential plans have a one-month minimum term with no early termination fee.
| Plan | What sets it apart | Download | Upload | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential - 100 Mbps | Download capped at 100 Mbps; available in select areas | 80-100 Mbps | 20-40 Mbps | 25-60 ms |
| Residential - 200 Mbps | Download capped at 200 Mbps; available in select areas | 80-200 Mbps | 20-40 Mbps | 25-60 ms |
| Residential - Max | Maximum available speeds and top Residential network priority; professional install included | 150-350 Mbps | 20-40 Mbps | 25-60 ms |
| Roam - 100GB / Roam - Unlimited | For travel and portable use; in-motion use supported in selected areas. 100GB plan drops to low-speed data after 100 GB | 65-260 Mbps | 20-40 Mbps | 25-60 ms |
Starlink prices in Australia
On 10 October 2026, Starlink's Australian pages listed Residential plans from $75 a month (100 Mbps, in select areas) to $150 (Max), and Roam plans at $85 (100GB) and $210 (Unlimited), with no upfront hardware cost for Residential plans in select areas. Prices for your address can be higher where a demand surcharge applies, so check at checkout.
| Plan | Monthly price | Hardware | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential 100 Mbps | From $75 | No upfront hardware cost in select areas (a rented kit); otherwise you buy the kit | Sold in select areas only |
| Residential 200 Mbps | From $110 | As for Residential 100 Mbps | Sold in select areas only |
| Residential Max | From $150 | Professional installation included; an extra Starlink Mini kit is an option | Maximum available speeds and top Residential network priority |
| Roam 100GB | $85 | From $289 in selected areas (Starlink Mini) | Drops to low-speed data after 100GB |
| Roam Unlimited | $210 | From $289 in selected areas (Starlink Mini) | For travel and portable use |
Starlink Mini and Roam plans
Roam plans are Starlink's plans for travel and portable use, with in-motion use supported in selected areas. On 10 October 2026, Roam 100GB was $85 a month and Roam Unlimited $210, and Starlink's Roam page listed hardware from $289 in selected areas. Roam 100GB drops to low-speed data once you've used 100GB in a month.
The Starlink Mini is a smaller, portable kit with a built-in router. Starlink offers it with Roam plans and as an optional extra kit on Residential Max. It suits caravans, campers and work sites rather than a fixed home, where a Residential plan and the Standard kit are the usual choice.
What Starlink costs in the first year
To work out what the first year really costs, add up:
- The plan: twelve months of the monthly price for the plan you choose. The 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps Residential plans are only sold in select areas, so check which ones your address can get.
- The kit: bought outright, or on whatever hardware option Starlink offers at the time.
- Delivery: check whether shipping is charged at checkout.
- Mounting and installation: a mount that suits your roof or pole, or professional installation, which is included with Residential Max.
- A demand surcharge, which Starlink's Critical Information Summary says may apply if your location is near capacity.
- Extras such as a Starlink Mini, a smaller portable kit offered with Roam plans and as an optional extra kit on Residential Max.
- The exit: Starlink offers a 30-day trial with a refund, subject to its conditions. After that, check what happens to the kit if you leave.
Starlink speeds in Australia
The ACCC tested Starlink in its Measuring Broadband Australia program before the program ended in June 2026. Its first satellite report, in December 2024, found Starlink services averaged 192 Mbps download across all hours and 165.5 Mbps in the 7pm to 11pm busy period, with average latency of 29.8 ms, and that Starlink outperformed Sky Muster on both speed and latency. A June 2025 report measured an average busy-hour download speed of 170.2 Mbps.
Starlink itself stresses that speeds are maximums, are not guaranteed and will be slower during congestion. Its availability map lets you view expected download speeds and latency for your area, and the CIS says it expects availability of 99% or better.
Is Starlink fast enough for streaming, gaming and video calls?
For streaming and video calls, yes. Starlink's Australian Critical Information Summaries put even the 100 Mbps Residential plan at 80 to 100 Mbps down and 20 to 40 Mbps up, against the 15 Mbps Netflix recommends for a 4K stream, the 20 Mbps YouTube recommends for 4K and the 3.8 Mbps up and 3.0 Mbps down Zoom recommends for a 1080p call. The ACCC measured Starlink at an average of 170.2 Mbps in the evening busy hours in its June 2025 report.
Gaming depends more on delay than on speed. Starlink states latency of 25 to 60 milliseconds: far lower than geostationary satellite, but higher than fibre, and brief dropouts in heavy rain or from an obstruction will interrupt a game or a call. If you play fast online games or work on video calls all day, test during the 30-day trial before you give up another service.
Is Starlink available at my address?
Starlink's map at starlink.com/au/map shows whether service is available or coming soon at your address. Service is widely available across Australia, but capacity is managed by area: the cheaper Residential plans are only sold in select areas, and a demand surcharge may apply where the network is near capacity. You also need a spot on your property with a clear view of the sky; the Starlink app has a Check for Obstructions tool to find one before you mount the dish.
Starlink vs NBN: Sky Muster, Fixed Wireless and fixed line
Starlink competes most directly with nbn's Sky Muster satellite and Fixed Wireless. In towns and cities, a fixed-line NBN connection is usually the better buy.
| Starlink (Residential) | nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium | nbn Fixed Wireless | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Low-earth-orbit satellites | Two geostationary satellites | 4G/5G radio link from an nbn tower |
| Stated or measured speed | Plans from 80-100 to 150-350 Mbps (Starlink); ACCC measured 170.2 Mbps average in busy hours (March 2025 data) | Tiers of 25/5, 50/5 and 100/5; typical busy-period 21, 38 and 63 Mbps | Up to 400 Mbps on Superfast where eligible; ACCC measured Home Fast at 160.5 Mbps in busy hours |
| Latency | 25-60 ms (Starlink CIS) | Much higher: nbn describes a 72,000 km round trip | Much lower than geostationary satellite (a short radio link to a tower) |
| Data | Unlimited on Residential plans | Uncapped | Set by the provider's plan |
| Equipment | You buy or rent the kit and self-install (pro install on Max) | nbn dish and modem installed by nbn | nbn antenna and box installed by nbn |
| Who sells it | Starlink direct, Telstra | NBN satellite providers | NBN Fixed Wireless providers |
| Contract | Residential: one-month minimum, no early termination fee | Set by provider | Set by provider |
Buying Starlink through Telstra
Telstra sells Satellite Home Internet powered by Starlink. It is restricted to the home address it is connected to and includes a home phone line; you can install it yourself or pay for Telstra's professional installation. Telstra's page says download speeds are capped at most times and lists its typical 7pm to 11pm speeds, which it says change from 29 September 2026, so check the current figures.
The trade-off is convenience against flexibility: Telstra bundles billing, support and a phone line, while buying direct from Starlink gives you its full plan range, including Roam. Starlink also lists other authorised resellers, mainly for business customers. Retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman sell Starlink kits, but you still take the service plan from Starlink.
Weather, obstructions and reliability
Starlink says moderate to heavy rain, snow and hail can cause momentary service dropouts, and that storms near its ground stations can also affect service. Telstra says extreme weather, especially heavy rain, can cause brief dropouts on its Starlink service.
Obstructions are the more common problem. Trees, roofs and new growth can block the dish's view of the sky; Starlink recommends using the app's obstruction check and relocating the dish if needed. Its CIS lists the angle and field of view of the dish, weather and the number of other Starlink kits nearby among the factors affecting performance.
Regulation and complaints
Starlink Australia Pty Ltd holds an Australian carrier licence, current since 7 August 2020, and the retail service is supplied by Starlink Internet Services Pte. Ltd. The ACMA's published actions against the retail company include a direction to comply with the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code in 2023 over advertising a limited-time offer without an end date, and a formal warning in May 2025 for failing to comply with complaint record-keeping rules.
In the ACMA's complaint-handling data for January to March 2026, Starlink was one of the two providers with the fewest complaints per 10,000 services. If a complaint to Starlink isn't resolved, its CIS directs customers to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Alternatives to Starlink in Australia
Where you live decides the alternatives. In regional areas, check these before you buy a dish:
- nbn Fixed Wireless: part of the NBN, with tiers of up to 400 Mbps at eligible premises and much lower delay than geostationary satellite.
- nbn Sky Muster: Sky Muster Plus Premium has uncapped data, and nbn plans to start moving eligible satellite customers to its low-earth-orbit service on Amazon's network from around mid-2027.
- 5G home internet: sold by the mobile networks at eligible addresses, often in regional towns as well as cities.
- A fixed-line NBN plan, if your address has one: usually steadier than any wireless or satellite option, and most are month-to-month NBN plans with no lock-in contract.
Is Starlink worth it?
Starlink is often the fastest option for homes that can only get Sky Muster, and it is worth comparing with Fixed Wireless where both are available. It also suits caravanners, campers and remote workers through the Roam plans and Starlink Mini.
In areas with FTTP, HFC, FTTC or a decent FTTN line, a fixed-line NBN plan usually offers steadier performance without buying a dish. If you are unsure, use the 30-day trial and the month-to-month terms to test it, and read our guides to Sky Muster, Fixed Wireless and 5G home internet.
General information only. We don't compare every provider or plan in the market, and we may earn a commission if you sign up through our links.
What to watch for
- Plan availability. The 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps Residential plans are only sold in select areas.
- Demand surcharges where the network is near capacity. Check the price for your exact address.
- Obstructions. Run the app's obstruction check before you drill any holes.
- The 30-day trial conditions, if you want the option of a refund.
Common questions
How much is Starlink monthly in Australia?
On 10 October 2026 Starlink's Australian pages listed Residential plans from $75 a month (100 Mbps, in select areas), $110 (200 Mbps) and $150 (Max), and Roam at $85 (100GB) or $210 (Unlimited). A demand surcharge can apply in busy areas, so check the price for your address, and add the kit, delivery and any installation when you compare.
Is there a senior discount for Starlink?
Not that we could find. On 10 October 2026 Starlink's Australian plan pages and help centre mentioned no seniors or concession discount; its help centre points customers in financial hardship to its Payment Assistance Policy.
How many TVs can hook up to Starlink?
There's no set limit; it depends on speed. Netflix recommends 15 Mbps for each 4K stream and 5 Mbps for full HD, and Starlink's CIS states 80 to 100 Mbps for its slowest Residential plan, enough on paper for about five 4K streams at once, less whatever else is online. Speeds drop when the network is busy, so allow some headroom.
What is the cheapest way to get Starlink?
Choose the lowest plan that suits you and is sold at your address (the 100 Mbps Residential plan is only available in select areas), install the kit yourself, and compare buying the kit outright with any hardware option Starlink offers at the time. Starlink's site shows the current prices and any demand surcharge for your address.
Is Starlink fast enough to stream TV?
Yes. Starlink states 80 to 100 Mbps for its slowest Residential plan, several times the 15 Mbps Netflix recommends for one 4K stream. The bigger risk for TV is a brief dropout in heavy rain or from an obstruction.
How long will 100GB last on Starlink Roam?
It depends on what you do with it. Netflix says an hour of video uses up to 1 GB in standard definition, up to 3 GB in HD and up to 7 GB in 4K, so 100 GB is roughly 33 hours of HD streaming or about 14 hours of 4K before the Roam 100GB plan drops to low-speed data. Browsing, maps and messaging use far less.
What is the downside of Starlink?
You need a clear view of the sky, heavy rain and storms can cause brief dropouts, you pay for the kit, the cheaper plans are only sold in some areas, and speeds are not guaranteed and slow during congestion. Starlink's latency is low for satellite but still higher than fibre.
Is Starlink better than Telstra in Australia?
Telstra sells a Starlink-powered home internet service, so it is partly the same network. Buying direct from Starlink gives you its full plan range with no lock-in; Telstra's version adds a home phone line and Telstra support but is tied to one address and has capped download speeds at most times. Compare the speeds and terms each publishes.
Is Starlink cheaper than Telstra?
Work it out over a year. For Starlink direct, add twelve months of the plan to the kit, delivery and any mount or installation. For Telstra's Starlink-powered service, add twelve months of its plan to Telstra's equipment and installation terms, remembering it includes a home phone line. Both publish current prices on their own sites.
Is Starlink cheaper than NBN?
It depends on the plans you compare. Starlink's cost includes the kit as well as the monthly plan, while a fixed-line NBN plan needs only a modem. Against Sky Muster in remote areas, Starlink offers more speed and lower latency. Compare the current prices on Starlink's site with NBN providers' prices for your address, over the time you expect to stay.
What is the best alternative to Starlink in Australia?
The one your address can get that suits you best. In regional areas, check nbn Fixed Wireless first: it is part of the NBN and has much lower delay than geostationary satellite. Otherwise compare 5G home internet where it's sold, and Sky Muster, which has uncapped data on Plus Premium and is due to start moving to low-orbit satellites from around mid-2027.
We don't sell Starlink
We have no commercial arrangement with Starlink or Telstra. Plan names, speeds and terms on this page come from Starlink's and Telstra's own Australian pages and the regulators, checked on the review date shown.