Internet Speed in Australia: What Expats and New Arrivals Need to Know (2026)

Last reviewed: September 2026. Figures below are drawn from Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index and nbn’s own published network data, cited by month and year throughout.

TL;DR

• Australia’s average fixed broadband download speed is around 168 Mbps, ranking 48th globally in Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. Australia’s speeds have been increasing as the NBN upgrades eligible fibre and cable connections.
• Your NBN connection type has a major impact on the speed you can expect. FTTP is generally the fastest and most reliable option, while FTTN is typically the slowest common connection because it relies on copper for the final stretch.
• You don’t necessarily need the fastest plan. A plan around 100 Mbps is recommended for a two-person household working from home, while larger households with heavy streaming, gaming, or multiple remote workers may benefit from 250 Mbps or more.
• Check your address before choosing an internet plan or signing a lease. NBN’s address checker shows which connection technology is available, while prepaid mobile broadband or a 4G/5G hotspot can provide temporary internet when you’ve just arrived.
• Starlink can be a good alternative in regional and remote areas where fixed-line or mobile options are limited. Australian residential plans starting at around AUD 75 per month.
• Test your connection over Ethernet for the most accurate results, using tools like Speedtest by Ookla or Fast.com. If your results are consistently well below your advertised plan speed, contact your provider and consider your available options.

Settling into a new country, you’ll want your internet working from day one, for video calls home, remote work, and everyday admin. Australia’s average fixed broadband download speed sits at around 168 Mbps, ranking 48th worldwide on Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. Most homes connect through the National Broadband Network (nbn). Bear in mind that fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) is the fastest connection type, and fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) is generally the slowest.

How Fast Is the Internet in Australia in 2026?

Here’s the breakdown:

• Fixed broadband: around 168 Mbps average download, 48th globally (Speedtest.net, July 2026)
• Mobile: According to the same Speedtest results, mobile download speed rank around 41^st globally, and average around 119Mbps.
• Trend: speeds have been climbing since nbn’s Accelerate Great program began boosting eligible fibre and cable plans for free in September 2025

For a second opinion, the ACCC’s Measuring Broadband Australia program independently tests, twice a year, whether providers deliver the speeds they advertise.

How Australia Compares to the Rest of the World

On the same December 2025 Ookla snapshot, Australia’s fixed broadband sits mid-table:

Australia is close to the UK, a major source of Australian migrants, and behind New Zealand, the US and South Korea. Although Australia is far away from the top spot, it still comfortably outpaces the global median.

Why Is Internet Speed in Australia Slower Than Some Countries?

There are a few structural factors that explain the gap, rather than any one bad provider:

• Legacy copper: nbn was built as a “multi-technology mix,” so many homes still reach the network partly over old copper phone lines rather than fibre all the way, which affects top speeds.
• Geography: a huge, sparsely settled country means greater distance from exchanges and network nodes, which reduces achievable speeds.
• Uneven fibre rollout: per nbn’s FY26 half-year results (to December 2025), full-fibre (FTTP) connections make up roughly a third of active nbn services, while the rest run over FTTN, HFC cable, fibre-to-the-curb, or fixed wireless and satellite. By the end of the financial year, NBN upgraded more than 500,000 homes to FTTP connections, so the gap is lessening.

Understanding the NBN: Connection Types and What They Mean for Your Speed

Nearly every fixed-line service runs over the nbn, the government-owned wholesale network, even though you sign up through a retail provider like Telstra, Optus, TPG, iiNet, Aussie Broadband or Dodo. For more detail, see our complete guide to Australia’s National Broadband Network. Your connection type sets your realistic top speed:

• Fibre to the Premises (FTTP): fibre runs all the way into the building, the fastest, most reliable option.
• Fibre to the Curb (FTTC): fibre reaches a small cabinet near the property, with a short stretch of copper carrying the signal the rest of the way.
• Fibre to the Node (FTTN): fibre reaches a cabinet serving a street or neighbourhood, then copper carries it home, usually the slowest common option.
• Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC): fibre reaches a local point, then the coaxial cable used for cable TV carries the signal to your home.
• Fixed Wireless & Satellite: used mainly in regional and remote areas, delivered via local towers or satellites and more exposed to weather and distance.

Before signing a lease, check which of these an address actually has using nbn’s own address checker, since two houses on the same street can differ. It’s worth asking a landlord or agent this directly, alongside the usual rent and bond questions covered in our guide to renting and buying real estate in Australia.

Where an address only has fixed wireless, satellite, or older infrastructure, Starlink is a realistic option. As of 2026, its Australian residential plans start around AUD 75 a month for speeds up to 100 Mbps, rising to roughly AUD 139 for an uncapped tier; hardware is typically provided at no upfront cost, though shipping and, in some areas, a surcharge can apply.

What Internet Speed Do You Actually Need in Australia?

Since September 2025, nbn’s Accelerate Great upgrade has lifted its top wholesale tiers for eligible FTTP and HFC customers at no extra cost: Home Fast II now reaches up to 500/50 Mbps, Home Superfast up to 750/50 Mbps, and Home Ultrafast up to 1000/100 Mbps, alongside a new 2000/200 Mbps Home Hyperfast tier. A Home Fast-range plan is a good starting point, not a luxury, for a two-person household working from home.

Entry-level plans of around 25Mbps range between $70–$90/month, and gradually increase from there. Mid-range plans between 50 and 100Mbps are around $90–$150/month, while top-tier plans above 100Mbps range between $150–$300+/month.

Just arrived and don’t have an nbn connection yet? A prepaid mobile broadband SIM or 4G/5G hotspot is a reasonable bridge while you compare plans on a site like Canstar, matching speed to what you actually need rather than the priciest tier. Free public Wi-Fi hotspots can help in the meantime too.

How to Check Your Internet Speed in Australia

In short: test over a wired connection for the truest picture, then compare the result to what your plan promises.

1. Visit a reputable speed-test site or app, like Speedtest by Ookla or Fast.com.
2. Select “Go” or “Start” to begin the test.
3. Wait for the test to finish.
4. Review your download speed, upload speed and ping (latency).

Testing over Wi-Fi measures your router as much as your plan, so connect directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable for the most accurate read. Testing in public? Brush up on staying safe on public Wi-Fi first.

If results are well below what your plan advertises, contact your provider before assuming the worst. If the lag carries on, ACCC rules mean providers must offer options, like a plan change or a penalty-free exit.

FAQ

What is the average internet speed in Australia in 2026?

Around 168 Mbps average fixed broadband download, ranking 48th globally on Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. Speeds have risen since nbn’s 2025 Accelerate Great upgrade began boosting eligible fibre and cable connections for free.

Which nbn connection type is fastest?

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is fastest and most reliable, since fibre runs all the way to the building. Fibre to the Node (FTTN), which relies on copper for the last stretch, is typically the slowest common option.

How do I check which nbn connection type is at my address?

Use nbn’s own address checker before signing a lease or ordering a plan. It shows the connection technology available at a specific address, helping you set realistic speed expectations before you commit.

Can I get home internet without an established Australian credit history?

Yes. Many providers accept proof of ID and address rather than a long local credit history, and prepaid nbn or mobile broadband plans are widely available for newly arrived residents who’d rather skip a credit check.

Is Starlink a good option for expats in regional Australia?

For addresses without a solid fixed-line or mobile coverage, Starlink can work well. Plans start around AUD 75 a month for speeds up to 100 Mbps, rising to about AUD 139 for an uncapped tier, with hardware typically provided at no upfront cost.

What internet speed do I need for remote work?

Around 100 Mbps download comfortably supports video calls and cloud access for one or two remote workers, but households with several people online at once are generally better served by a higher tier, like Home Superfast.

How does Australia’s internet speed compare globally?

It sits behind leaders like Singapore, the UAE, and South Korea, and close to the UK, but comfortably above the global median. The gap mainly reflects geography and an ongoing shift from copper to full fibre, not a lack of investment.

Getting Connected: What New Arrivals Should Do First

1. Check the connection type at your new address with nbn’s address checker before signing a lease.
2. Set up a prepaid mobile broadband SIM or hotspot while you sort a fixed plan, if you need internet immediately.
3. Compare nbn and Starlink plans on a site like Canstar, matching the tier to how many people will be online at once.
4. Check what ID your chosen provider accepts if you don’t yet have an established Australian credit history.
5. Once connected, run a wired speed test to see whether you’re getting close to what you’re paying for.

Staying connected makes the practical side of living in Australia as a new arrival easier too, whether that’s a call home or keeping on top of sending money back to family with Remitly.

Key Takeaways

• Australia’s average fixed broadband download speed is about 168 Mbps, ranking 48th globally (Ookla, July 2026).
• Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is the fastest nbn connection type; Fibre to the Node (FTTN) is typically the slowest.
• Use nbn’s address checker before signing a lease to confirm the connection type at a specific address.
• A Home Fast-tier plan (around 100 Mbps) is a good minimum for a two-person household working from home.
• Starlink suits regional or remote addresses, with Australian plans starting around AUD 75 a month.