What NBN speed do I really need?

What NBN speeds are available?

We'll go into more detail later in the guide, but while you're checking out our rundown of NBN speed tiers, keep in mind that only homes with a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) NBN connection can get speeds above NBN 100.

We've also included the download speeds you can expect during the busiest hours of the day (7-11 pm). These are called typical evening speeds.

*We looked at fixed-line unlimited data plans in Finder's database to calculate the monthly average costs (valid as of December 2025).

What in the world is an Mbps?

Mbps stands for megabits per second – it's how we measure internet speed. Knowing this matters because, let's be honest, nobody wants buffering internet while streaming or working.

So, the higher the number, the faster you can do things online.

Let's take NBN 50 as an example since it's the most popular among Aussies for being a good standard speed tier.

It can give you up to 50Mbps download speeds. If you think this is what you need, choose a plan from a provider that displays typical evening speeds close to this number.

Can my NBN connection type impact the speeds I get?

Yes, it can! Where you live will determine what NBN connection you have. And this in turn will affect the speeds you get.

For instance, fixed line NBN is broken down into 5 different connection types.

• If you have Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) or Fibre to the Building (FTTB), you won't be able to sign up for a plan above NBN 100.

• If you have Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC), you can access the fastest NBN speeds available (above NBN 100).

• Use our address checker to find out your NBN connection type if you're unsure.

• You can also run a free internet speed test to check out what speeds you're currently getting.

"I'm using NBN 50, which I understand is the most common speed tier in Australia. It suits me and my wife fine - she works from home most of the time and it's never been an issue for her. We don't have free-to-air TV, so we're streaming something most nights. Even if we're watching two shows on different devices, it's never been an issue. I've thought about upgrading, but a faster speed doesn't feel like it'll make much of a difference - I only really have an issue if the internet is working or not."

Taylor Blackburn

Money Expert

How do the September 2025 upgrades affect the NBN speed I should choose?

On 14 September 2025, NBN boosted speeds across NBN 100, NBN 250, and NBN 1000 plans:

• Home Fast (NBN 100) jumped from 100/20 Mbps to 500/50 Mbps, becoming the new NBN 500 speed tier.

• Home Superfast (NBN 250) increased from 250/25 Mbps to 750/50 Mbps, now the NBN 750 speed tier.

• Home Ultrafast (NBN 1000) doubled its upload speed to 1000/100 Mbps.

There's also a new NBN 2000 speed tier, offering download speeds up to 2000 Mbps and upload speeds of 100–200 Mbps, depending on your connection type.

Several providers have already adopted these changes and are offering the new speeds at roughly the same price. NBN 250 has essentially been phased out, though some providers still offer it.

If you previously chose NBN 100 or NBN 250, you can now get much faster speeds for roughly the same price. For example, some providers might not even show NBN 100 anymore as a result.

NBN upload speeds matter too

While it's standard practice for NBN providers to advertise a typical download speed, there are no specific requirements regarding upload speeds.

Some of the major providers, like Telstra and Optus, will specify a typical upload speed, while others use the default maximum available on each speed tier.

If you work from home, especially alongside others, an upload speed of around 15-20 Mbps would be good to avoid lags during video calls.

Here's a look at the maximum upload speeds available across each speed tier.

You may come across providers offering unusually high upload speeds, such as Aussie Broadband's separate 'Pro' plans, which provide faster-than-normal upload speeds.

Frequently asked questions

• What NBN speed do I need for Netflix?

  Netflix recommends at least 3Mbps for HD streaming, 5Mbps for full HD streaming and 15Mbps for 4K.

  So in theory you could watch Netflix across all speed tiers. However, for comfortable streaming, we suggest NBN 25 or NBN 50, especially if you have multiple people using the internet at the same time.

• What is a normal internet speed in Australia?

  With most Australians being on an NBN 50 or NBN 100 plan, a normal internet speed in Australia likely sits between 50-100Mbps.

  However, internet needs do evolve over time. We're now connected to more devices than ever before. Think about your smart bulbs, Google Homes, and Alexas.

  If you're a heavy internet user or part of a larger family, you may need faster speeds if they're available at your address.

• What NBN speed do I need for 2 people?

  We recommend NBN 25 or faster for households with 2 or more people. However, it really depends on how much internet those 2 people are using.

  If both are working from home and using video conferencing during the day, or like gaming, an NBN 50 or even an NBN 100 plan might be a better fit.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise

Mariam has written 435 Finder guides across topics including:

• Energy
• Mobile
• Broadband
• Consumer tech