Starlink Introduces Congestion Fees (Demand Surcharge) for New Residential Sign-Ups in Toowoomba
If you're considering Starlink for your internet in Toowoomba or surrounding areas, there’s a critical update you need to know. Since April 2025, Starlink has introduced congestion charges — also referred to as “demand surcharges” — for new residential customers in areas where the satellite network is at or near capacity. And unfortunately, much of Toowoomba is now affected.
What Are Starlink Demand Surcharges?
A demand surcharge is a one-time fee added to the initial cost of activating Starlink in a congested area. This fee is designed to manage network performance by limiting new connections in heavily saturated zones. While Starlink has stated this fee is temporary and may be removed when capacity improves, it currently represents a substantial added cost for customers in the Toowoomba region.
A Tale of Two Toowoombas
In the past two months, we've seen firsthand how unpredictable and location-specific these congestion charges are. Customers across Toowoomba, Highfields, and as far north as Crows Nest and as far south as Cambooya are being slugged with congestion fees ranging from $145 to $740 — depending entirely on their exact street address.
For example:
- Crows Nest & Cambooya: $145 congestion fee + $549 kit + $30 shipping
- Eastern areas (Gatton, Esk): $740 congestion fee + $549 kit + $30 shipping
- Toowoomba & Highfields: Varies from $145 up to $740, with $145 being the most common
But just a few kilometres in any direction can make a huge difference. As of June 2025:
- No demand surcharges apply north of Crows Nest, south of Cambooya, or west of Toowoomba and Highfields
- In these uncongested areas, Starlink is currently offering the Standard Kit for $0 (on a 12-month contract) — with free shipping
That’s a difference of up to $1,319 in total startup cost — simply based on where your house is located.
Breakdown of Potential Costs
Here’s a side-by-side look at what customers might pay based on their location:
| Location | Starlink Kit | Congestion Fee | Shipping | Total Upfront |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatton / Esk (East) | $549 | $740 | $30 | $1,319 |
| Inner Toowoomba Suburbs / Highfields / Crows Nest / Cambooya | $549 | $145 | $30 | $724 |
| Goombungee / Millmerran / Clifton / Meringandan / Gowrie Junction | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
No Clear Map, No Easy Answers
Unfortunately, Starlink does not publish a congestion map. The only way to know whether a congestion fee applies is to enter your service address during checkout. Even neighbouring properties can have very different fees applied, creating confusion and frustration for many new customers.
We recommend checking availability frequently, as Starlink updates congestion zones based on network activity. Some areas may become uncongested over time — but there’s no guarantee or public timeline.
Our Local Recommendation
For those living in congested zones like Highfields, Gatton, and parts of Toowoomba, be prepared for extra upfront costs. That said, Starlink remains one of the most reliable options for high-speed rural internet, especially where NBN Fixed Wireless is poor or unavailable.
If you’re in an uncongested zone — such as west of Toowoomba or north of Crows Nest — now is a fantastic time to sign up. The waived hardware and shipping fees can save you hundreds.
How We Can Help
If you’re considering buying a Starlink kit, you can now get the first month free if you order your Starlink kit directly from Starlink using our referral link: https://www.starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-108876-56783-26
If you’d like to learn more, consider reading our earlier articles:
- Starlink vs NBN in Australia – https://www.smartdatatv.com.au/starlink-vs-nbn-fixed-wireless/
- Real-world case study: Starlink in regional Queensland – https://www.smartdatatv.com.au/starlink-vs-nbn-case-study-geeham/
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