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Internet speed test
Check your internet speed test in 30 seconds to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.
Finder's internet speed test compatability:
Works for all connection types (NBN, ADSL, wireless internet, mobile)
Results in under 30 seconds
Compatible with all internet providers
What do your results mean?
Now that your download speed test results have come through, here's how you can workout if they're any good.
Depending on which NBN speed tier you're signed up to, the average speeds to expect are as follows:
NBN speed tier
Average speeds
Poor speeds
Basic II (NBN 25)
15–22Mbps
0–15Mbps
Standard (NBN 50)
30–40Mbps
0–30Mbps
Fast (NBN 100)
60–85Mbps
0–60Mbps
Superfast (NBN 250)
110–150Mbps
0–150Mbps
If your results are sitting in the "poor" range for your speed tier, you may not be getting what you pay for.
You should also have a word with your NBN provider if your speeds during the busy hours of the day (7-11pm) don't match the typical evening speeds averstised on their plan. If they can't sort you out it might to time for a switch.
Which internet provider offers the fastest speed in Australia?
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) releases a broadband performance report 4 times a year.
The ACCC tests NBN connections during the busiest hours of the day (7–11pm). A score of 100% means a provider reaches its advertised speeds 100% of the time.
The top 3 providers that have performed the best in the latest report are:
Percentage of maximum plan speed during peak hours: 100.9%
Long-term performance trend: Exetel has hit over 100% of plan speeds since the August 2021 report.
Want to know how other providers performed? You can check out the ACCC's report for more information on the latest results.
What is the average speed of internet in Australia?
According to our speed test data, the average download speed in Australia ranges from 41.7Mbps to 51.2Mbps.
Here's a look at how the average speeds vary between different states and territories:
Are you happy with your internet speed?
45% of Australians are somewhat satisfied with their broadband speeds, according to our consumer sentiment tracker (November 2023). Tasmanians had the highest number of people very satisfied with their internet speed (32%). Somewhat surprisingly, 29% of people in regional locations were extremely satisfied with their internet speeds compared to only 25% in metro areas.
This will depend on the type of activities you need to carry out online. For a single person, we'd recommend 25Mbps at least.
If you have multiple people in your household that are online simulatanesouly on most days, you'll want to sign up to a plan with faster speeds. Since the pandemic, our internet habits have definitely changed. It also coincides with a growing dependence on technology such as Google Home or Alexa that requires a Wi-Fi connection.
This is why the NBN, and as a result providers, are pushing faster internet speeds at cheaper prices and increasing the cost to households for entry level and mid-tier broadband speeds.
To help you figure out the right internet speed for you, we've laid out a range of typical evening speeds available across each NBN speed tier as per Finder's database. The key takeaway here is that it is possible to get the maximum available speed across each tier so don't settle unless you notice a massive difference in price.
In a smaller household, 35Mbps will be fine. If you're working from home, aim towards 70Mbps as a minimum. In a big family or if you're always working with big files, think superfast and look for 120Mbps+ if you can get it.
We've researched and reviewed hundreds of internet plans to make our guides as helpful as possible. Our expertise is highlighted across numerous TV, print and digital media appearances.
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Since 2015, we've helped over 1 million Australians find the right broadband plan for their household. We explain plan features and prices simply to help you make your decision.
Frequently asked questions
Speed tests work by measuring your computer's connection to the network server. They report your download and upload speeds, ping and jitter to give you an idea of how well your connection performs.
Your internet speed varies across the day depending on how many devices you might be using, what activities you're performing on those devices and how many other people are using your network.
You can get a more accurate internet speed test by:
Conducting several tests across the day and calculating an average
Test the connection from multiple devices (to rule out speed being a device issue)
Conduct the test via an ethernet cable instead of over Wi-Fi
Ping is the term for how long it takes your computer to get a response from the network. The faster the response, the lower the ping number you'll get.
One way to think about it is like waiting for someone to answer the phone. Low ping is equivalent to someone picking up the phone on the first ring.
Keep in mind: While download and upload speeds will be fairly consistent, ping will fluctuate often. Most people don't need to worry about ping too much.
When does ping matter? Ping won't matter in most instances except for:
Online gaming
Voice and video calls
Jitter is a measurement of how your ping changes over time. If you get a high jitter, it means your connection is unstable. This might mean you have bad wiring or might be using a mobile network.
Like ping, jitter is measured in ms.
Example: If your speed test returns a jitter of 3ms and a ping of 10ms it means your ping is jumping between 7ms and 13ms.
Reposition your modem. Modem/router signals are strongest the closer you are without any interference. Being further across the room from your modem or having walls between you can result in a weaker signal and slow speeds. Putting your modem up high rather than on the floor should help too. If moving closer to your modem or moving it closer to you doesn't help then consider investing in a better router, a Wi-Fi extender or wire in with an ethernet cable.
Reduce network congestion. Having too many people online at one time can cause a "traffic jam". This is more prominent at lower speed tiers. If you have an important work meeting asking another household member to pause their Netflix for an hour could help. If your household isn't the problem it might be a provider problem. Compare and switch to an internet service with better typical evening speeds. You can also hop off your broadband connection and swap over to your mobile's personal hotspot if your plan allows it.
Replace or upgrade your equipment. When nothing else works, it might be your equipment itself. Compare to find a new router – just make sure it's supported by your provider.
You can also try running a virus scan, updating your network drivers or closing background applications.
If you're consistently having trouble with your internet speed, you can contact your provider to submit a complaint or consider switching internet providers.
SPONSORED: Upgrade your internet before the end of 2023 and get ahead on your life admin! We take a look at some of the benefits of a faster internet connection.
Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with over 11+ years of experience in print and digital media. Her main goal is to help households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their household bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine.
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