Renter's guide to connecting your internet

We get it – moving into a new rental is stressful. Worse still is collapsing on the new sofa you bought off Facebook Marketplace, only to realise you haven’t got internet.  

Lucky for you, sorting your internet when moving is easy to organise, and can be one of the first things you tick off your to-do list. We do recommend organising your internet earlier, because it can take up to 2 to 4 weeks if you need an installation appointment or new hardware.  

Checking your connection  

First thing’s first: make sure your new property is serviced by internet, whether by a fixed line or wireless connection through nbn® or Opticomm. For fixed line or wireless connections, you can check all the details here, including your premise’s readiness and connection technology. Otherwise, you can take a look at our different NBN or Opticomm plans.  

If your property isn’t currently connected to the NBN or Opticomm network, it’s important to get consent from your landlord or property manager before organising a connection, as there may be costs incurred and labour performed on their premises during the connection process.

When you’re close to deciding your connection type, you will also need to know your move in date before ordering a new plan. This is so your internet service provider (ISP) knows what day to switch your connection on. If you’re switching to Aussie, organising a new connection can be done by entering your address in here and selecting a plan. You should then receive an appointment time within 24 hours of selecting a plan or calling our Sales team. If not, our service delivery team are on call at 1300 880 905 to assist. 

Note: if you’re an existing Aussie customer, scroll down to our section on relocating your service! 

If your previous address wasn’t with Aussie, remember to cancel to your old service so you’re not double billed! You can do this on your moving day, or before if it suits you.  

Getting the correct hardware 

Once your confirmed your new connection type, it’s a good time to check whether you’ve got the right modem or router. If the connection type is the same as your current rental, you’re in luck – you shouldn’t need to buy a different router when moving.  

As a rule of thumb, if your new house has an NBN or Opticomm box mounted to a wall or sitting inside, then a router that has a WAN port is all you need to get connected. This is for technology types:  

• Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) 

• Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) 

• Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)  

• Fixed Wireless 

On the other hand, if you have a Fibre to the Node or Building (FTTN/FTTB) connection, you will need a modem that uses VDSL2 technology. Don’t fret though – we’ve got a guide here for you to figure out what type of modem or router (or both) you need for your connection type.  

Not all modems can be used for all ISPs, with some locked to the provider it was purchased from. If you’re unsure, reach out to your ISP and check if your modem is locked to them. This is a really important step, and we recommend you find out this information as soon as you can to avoid being left in the lurch.  

Upgrading your plan to a higher speed? Before pressing confirm, it’s best to check your current tech will be able to provide those speeds. You just need to find out the specifications of your modem or router, either by looking in the manual or by doing a quick Google search.  

Relocating your service  

If you’re an Aussie customer, relocating your internet service is easy! You can go onto the MyAussie app or online portal and scroll down until you see the “Relocate Service” button. From there, it’s a case of entering your new address, selecting your preferred plan, and setting the earliest date you want to be connected. You can also choose when you are available for an NBN technician to visit your property, if necessary. 

If you need a crossover period, such as you need your internet at two properties simultaneously for a bit, you should give our customer service team a call on 1300 880 905 so we can organise it for you.  

Here’s a step-by-step guide for both new and existing customers to move your service with you.  

Setting it all up 

The removalist van has left, you’ve shifted your plants into position, and you’re about to put the final touches on your move – plugging in your internet!  

Your ISP should have contacted you to notify you that your connection has been activated, so it’s time to sort out all those cables you’ve lugged over from your old property. If you’re lost over where to plug what (we’ve all been at some point), check out this guide on how to setup your BYO router.   

It’s best to set your router away from other appliances – like on a shelf – to reduce interference. If you find that your Wi-Fi is slow, read our blog post on the reasons behind slow internet and some tips and tricks to solve it.  

If at any point throughout your installation or rental time you need support, our 100% Aussie-based call centres are open 8am to 12am Monday to Sunday on 1300 880 905, or on our LiveChat.  

In the meantime, happy moving!