What is a good NBN upload speed?
Find if your upload speed is keeping up with your NBN plan and learn tips on what you can do to make it better.
Key takeaways
- Upload speeds don't get as much attention as downloads, but they're key for things like video calls, gaming and file sharing.
- We'll help you run an upload speed test to see if you're actually getting what you signed up for.
- If the numbers look right but you're still unhappy, your plan might not be the best fit for your internet use.
Click "Go" to run an upload speed test
The easiest way to check your upload speed is by running an internet speed test. It works by selecting a server that's close to you, then determining how quickly your connection can send and receive data from that server.
What do I do with my result?
You can use the upload speed number from the test to get a sense of how well your internet connection is performing, as we'll explain in the next section.
What's considered a good NBN upload speed?
What counts as a good upload speed depends on what you're doing online and how many people at home are using the internet at the same time.
Each NBN speed tier comes with a maximum upload speed, but your actual speed can be lower. That's because providers advertise a 'typical evening speed', which reflects busy hours between 7pm and 11pm.
Here's a look at the main NBN speed tiers, their maximum speeds, typical evening speed ranges from our database, and how long it would take to upload a 1 GB file at maximum speed.
| NBN speed tier | Maximum upload speed | Typical evening speeds | Time to upload a 1GB file |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 12 | 1Mbps | 0.8-1Mbps | 2 hours 13 minutes |
| NBN 25 | 10Mbps | 4-10Mbps | 13 minutes 20 seconds |
| NBN 50 | 20Mbps | 16-20Mbps | 6 minutes 40 seconds |
| NBN 100/20 | 20Mbps | 16-20Mbps | 6 minutes 40 seconds |
| NBN 100/40 | 40Mbps | 30-40Mbps | 3 minutes 20 seconds |
| NBN 250 | 25Mbps | 20-25Mbps | 5 minutes 20 seconds |
| NBN 1000 | 100Mbps | 40-50Mbps | 1 minute 20 seconds |
What comes next?
If you know what speed tier your NBN plan is on, then great! Simply compare the upload speed you get in our speed test to those in the table, and see how big the difference is.
For example, if you're on an NBN 50 plan, your upload speed should hopefully be around 15-20Mbps. This would mean your connection is actually delivering the promised speeds.
If you're not sure what speed tier your NBN plan is on, you can either check your most recent internet bill, where your speed tier should be stated, or you can guess your speed tier based on your download speed and whether it's close to 25Mbps (you'd likely be on NBN 25), 50Mbps (NBN 50) and so on.
We recommend using the first method, as it's more accurate, or contacting your provider for confirmation.
What do I do if my upload speed is slow?
There are plenty of reasons why your upload speed might be slow. Here are the major ones:
Network congestion
The more people using the network at once, the slower it runs for everyone.
If you're using the internet at a busy time, both your downloads and uploads may slow down significantly. Australia's busiest time is 7pm-11pm.
Connection type
Your NBN connection affects how fast your uploads and downloads can be. Copper-based connections like Fibre to the Node (FTTN) can be slower and less reliable, while Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) gives the fastest, most consistent speeds. Fixed Wireless and Satellite are slower still.
The catch is you can't choose your connection type. It's dependent on where you live.
Provider and plan
Not all providers deliver the same connection quality. Typical evening upload speeds and overall reliability can vary between providers.
That's why you should always compare typical evening speed, even if you've settled on an NBN speed tier.
Wi-Fi and hardware
A poor or unstable Wi-Fi connection can slow down your connection significantly. Old or outdated hardware may be unable to process signals properly.
What upload speed is right for me?
If you're like most people, your biggest upload demands will be things like videos for social media, video conferencing, or perhaps uploading files for work or to share with friends.
It may surprise you, but an upload speed of 5Mbps should be plenty for all of these activities, so an NBN 25 plan should suit you fine.
There are a few cases where you might consider a beefier speed tier like NBN 50 or even NBN 100, such as:
- Larger households where many people might be conferencing or uploading at once
- YouTubers or video content makers who frequently upload long videos to various platforms
- Streamers who need high upload speeds to stream in high definition
- People who hate waiting 5-10 minutes for a big file to upload or need to upload really quickly for work or other reasons
Did you know?
Some providers offer NBN plans with higher-than-normal upload speeds. For example, Aussie Broadband has a set of 'Pro' plans for people who need faster uploads. Other providers offering similar plans include Launtel, Leaptel, and Future Broadband. When comparing plans, keep an eye out for these.
How can I improve my upload speed?
If you're experiencing slow upload speeds and want some in-depth advice, you can check out our guide to fixing slow NBN speeds. These are some quick tips for you to try:
Equipment fixes
Run a speed test on several different devices to see if the problem is only occurring on one of them. If it's widespread, you can check your modem and see if it needs to be updated or replaced.
If it's on one device, reset it, run a malware scan or close applications running in the background.
Reduce network congestion
The more traffic there is on your network, the slower everything will run.
Try disconnecting devices from the network or having fewer people using it at the same time. Avoiding busy periods in the evening will also give better speeds overall.
Wi-Fi fixes
Wi-Fi signals can be temperamental. Try using an ethernet cable to connect your device directly to the modem so you don't have to worry about signal strength or reliability.
If you're sticking with Wi-Fi, see if you can't move your device closer to the modem to improve your signal strength.
Switch providers
There's every chance that your provider isn't delivering a great connection or that you need a higher speed tier. You can compare options for the speed you want between plenty of providers using the NBN plan comparison table in the next section.
Compare NBN plans for faster upload speeds
Use the filters to choose your NBN speed tier. For each plan, click View details to see the typical evening upload speed.
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How we picked these
How the Finder Score helps you find a better broadband plan
We designed the Finder Score to simplify your search for the best NBN and Home Wireless plans. By analysing hundreds of options from 40+ providers, we evaluate pricing, speeds, data allowances and plan features. Each factor is weighted and combined to generate a score out of 10 — helping you quickly spot the most competitive plans on the market. Read the full breakdown.
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What ISP or solution can I approach in order to gain the highest and consistent upload performance. Our business is NBN ready but we are prepared to look at other options if NBN is limited, which it seems that it is?
Hi Mal,
It’s hard to say as it depends on your location and how much bandwidth the ISPs that service that area have bought from NBN with respect to the number of customers they have.
There are a few ISPs, like Aussie Broadband, that are transparent with this information and provide real-time data of demand vs bandwidth in your area. Perhaps you should start by taking a look through those first to see if it gives you the confidence you need to make a purchase.
Cheers
Chris