The best internet for streaming in Australia

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as some poorly-timed buffering right as the action is about to kick off with your streaming service of choice. The NBN (National Broadband Network) might have improved things somewhat for the percentage of Australians who have access to it but we’re not quite out of the woods yet. Many Australians still have trouble managing a reliable HD 1080p stream, let alone a solid 4K stream, and live-streaming on Twitch or YouTube is simply out of the question for many.

Still, some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are better for streaming than others. It’s near-impossible to say with certainty what your experience will be like with any given provider, but using the data supplied in the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) Broadband performance report, we can at least steer you in the right direction.

But first, here's a quick view of the plans offered by the best NBN providers for streaming in Australia. 

Exetel was one of the first NBN providers in Australia to benefit from the ACCC's reporting, scoring top marks early on (and subsequently making it a primary focus of its marketing campaigns). Exetel's early glory faded soon after when it's results began to take a plunge but in 2022, Exetel is back on top. In the June 2022 ACCC broadband performance report, Exetel scored first place for download speeds and average latency and second place for upload speeds. Exetel's plans aren't quite as competitive as other providers any more but it still offers a decent range of limited-time promotional deals. 

Optus needs no introduction but while you might know it for its pricier plans, there are a few reasons why it charges a premium. Firstly, there’s performance, as evidenced by its download and upload speeds. Not only did Optus score second place for download speeds during busy (and busiest) hours but it also had the most consistent upload speeds on average according to the ACCC's June 2022 report. 

However, one score Optus continues to struggle to improve is its average latency. In the latest report, Optus placed sixth for latency. If you stuggle with ping and latency on Optus, you might be better off with Exetel, Superloop or Aussie Broadband (the top three performers for low latency). 

Tied for third place in the ACCC's report for download speeds, upload speeds and latency, we have Telstra, Dodo and iPrimus. Each ended up with the same overall score but demonstrated different strengths and weaknesses. 

For Telstra, you're getting more consistent typical download speeds during busy hours but less promising upload speeds and latency. You're also paying that classic Telstra premium which is something worth considering when signing up for any NBN plan. 

Matched with Telstra for third-place, Dodo and iPrimus scored the exact same result because the ACCC counts them as a single provider. Both Dodo and iPrimus are part of the Vocus Group and effectively deliver the same service, just with different pricing. 

Dodo and iPrimus both scored fourth place for typical upload speeads and average latency but only sixth place for typical download speeds. 

We recommend Dodo over iPrimus for the simple fact that its plans are currently cheaper, and that it allows you to bundle your internet with electricity and gas if you're already a Dodo customer.  

While we recommend Dodo over iPrimus for overall value, there are some benefits to being an iPrimus customer too. It offers a bonus modem on 12-month plans, flexible speed tier options and bundles for Fetch TV. Those benefits aside, iPrimus also offers a good number of support options (that, in our experience, have been genuinely helpful). 

Just about anything with a connection to the Internet can be described as a streaming media device these days so it really depends on what you already own, what’s most convenient, which services you are subscribed to and which ISP you pay for your broadband and mobile plan. That said, we do have some recommendations on the best streaming devices available in Australia.

For example, do you regularly use a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X? Well, both devices make for very capable streaming devices, with compatible apps for Netflix, Stan, Prime Video, Foxtel Now and many more.

If you don’t have either of those (or any other streaming device/smart TV) then your best bet for our money is the Chromecast with Google TV. This dongle plugs straight into your television’s HDMI port and is operated entirely from the pack-in remote or your smartphone or tablet. It’s also capable of 4K streaming and one of the cheapest streaming media devices on the market, regularly retailing at around $99.

If you’re a diehard Apple fan, you might swing towards the company’s 4K Apple TV.

Then there are broadband bundles to consider. A selection of Telstra’s broadband plans include Telstra TV 3 (a rebadged Roku box) at no extra cost. It’s a decent little device with plenty of compatible apps, 4K streaming and an included remote control for those who don’t dig smartphone controls. If Telstra’s not your preference, there are a few broadband providers, including Optus, that offer Fetch TV bundles.