Help Centre & FAQs
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Everything you need to know about broadband, energy, mobile and home connection services — answered clearly.
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Broadband
NBN & internet questions
Energy
Electricity & gas questions
Mobile
SIM & phone plan questions
General
About Pick A Deal
Broadband questions
What is the nbn and how does it work?
The nbn (National Broadband Network) is Australia's wholesale fibre-and-cable broadband network. Retail internet service providers (ISPs) buy capacity on the nbn and sell plans directly to households. You choose a provider and plan; nbn co owns and operates the underlying infrastructure.
How do I find out what nbn technology is at my address?
Enter your address in our comparison tool and we instantly show your technology type — FTTP (full fibre), FTTN, FTTC, HFC or Fixed Wireless. Each type affects the maximum speeds you can achieve.
What is the difference between NBN 25, 50, 100, 250 and 1000?
These numbers represent the peak download speed in Mbps. NBN 25 suits light, single-user households. NBN 50 handles standard HD streaming for 2–3 people. NBN 100 is ideal for busy households. NBN 250 and 1000 suit power users, remote workers and large families with heavy usage.
Can I keep my existing phone number when switching providers?
Yes. Number portability lets you transfer (port) your existing landline or VoIP number to your new provider. Confirm with your new provider at sign-up — the process is typically seamless.
How long does an nbn connection take?
Standard connections with no technician visit usually take 2–10 business days. Connections requiring a technician — such as FTTP upgrades or new premises — can take 2–4 weeks. We will advise you of the expected timeframe before you sign up.
Is Pick A Deal free to use?
Yes, completely free. Providers pay us a referral fee when you connect through us — you never pay more than going direct to the provider.
Energy questions
Will my power be cut off when I switch energy providers?
No. Switching energy retailers is a seamless administrative transfer — your electricity or gas supply is never interrupted. The physical infrastructure (poles, wires, pipes) stays the same; only the billing account changes. Transfers typically complete within 2–5 business days.
How do I compare electricity plans in my state?
Enter your postcode and approximate annual usage (found on your bill in kWh) in our comparison tool. We show offers available in your distribution network area with estimated annual costs based on your usage.
What is a solar feed-in tariff?
A solar feed-in tariff (FiT) is the rate your energy retailer pays for excess electricity your solar panels export to the grid. Rates vary by state and retailer — typically between 5¢ and 10¢ per kWh. If you have solar panels, factor in the FiT rate when comparing plans, as a higher FiT can significantly offset your usage costs.
Can I compare gas and electricity together?
Yes. We offer dual-fuel comparisons so you can find a single retailer offering bundled electricity and gas. Some retailers offer discounts of 10–12% for dual-fuel customers, which can add up to significant savings.
What is a reference price or Victorian Default Offer (VDO)?
These are government-set benchmarks that help consumers compare energy offers. Retailers must display their plans as a percentage above or below the reference price, making genuine price comparisons easier. Our tool shows this clearly for each plan.
How long does it take to switch energy providers?
Most electricity transfers complete within 2–5 business days. Gas can take slightly longer. In both cases, you won't experience any outage or disruption to your supply.
Mobile questions
What is a SIM-only mobile plan?
A SIM-only plan provides a SIM card with a data, calls and SMS allowance — but no handset. You use your own phone. SIM-only plans are typically 30–60% cheaper than plans that bundle a new handset, making them ideal if you already own a compatible device.
Can I keep my phone number when I switch providers?
Yes. Number portability lets you transfer your existing mobile number to any provider. The port usually completes within 1–2 hours of activating your new SIM. Continue using your old SIM until the port is confirmed.
What is the difference between Telstra, Optus and Vodafone coverage?
Telstra covers approximately 99.5% of the population with the widest regional and rural reach. Optus covers around 98.5% and is strong in metro and regional centres. Vodafone covers approximately 96%, focused on urban areas. Many MVNOs (Boost, Amaysim, Woolworths Mobile etc.) operate on these networks at lower prices.
What is an MVNO and is it worth switching to one?
An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) resells capacity on a major network (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) — often at significantly lower prices. For example, Boost Mobile uses the Telstra network and can be 40–60% cheaper. If you're in a metro area, an MVNO is often excellent value.
How much mobile data do I need per month?
Light users (social media, messaging, maps): 5–15GB. Average users (streaming music, browsing, some video): 20–50GB. Heavy users (video streaming, hotspot tethering, gaming): 80GB+. Many plans now offer unlimited data with speed-capped tiers after a threshold.
Is Pick A Deal free to use for mobile comparisons?
Yes, completely free to you. We are paid a referral fee by providers when you connect — our comparison service doesn't add any cost on your end.
General questions
Is Pick A Deal free to use?
Yes, completely free. We earn a referral commission from providers when you connect — at the same rate regardless of which provider you choose. You never pay more than going direct.
How does Pick A Deal make money?
We earn a referral commission from provider partners when a customer connects through our service. We apply the same commission rate across all partners — so we have no financial reason to recommend one over another. See our How We Work page for full details.
Is my personal information safe with Pick A Deal?
Yes. We use industry-standard encryption for all data and never sell your information to third parties. We share only the minimum required details with your chosen provider to process your connection.
What areas does Pick A Deal cover?
We operate across all of Australia — metro, regional and rural. Service availability depends on what providers and infrastructure exist at your specific address. Our tool checks your exact address before showing results.
Can I get advice over the phone instead of online?
Absolutely. Call us on 08 6336 6788. Our connection specialists will walk you through every option and can handle the entire sign-up over the phone.