The best internet providers 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 when using wifi for streaming, 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 helping you supercharge your wifi 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 of the best internet for streaming TV.

But first, here's a quick view of the plans offered by the best NBN providers that offer broadband 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 its results began to take a plunge but in 2022, Exetel is back on top.

In the December 2022 ACCC broadband performance report, Exetel scored first place for download speeds on the busiest hour and upload speeds and second place for average latency. 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 hours but it also had the most consistent upload speeds on average according to the ACCC's December 2022 report. 

However, one score Optus continues to struggle to improve is its average latency. In the latest report, Optus placed eighth for latency. If you struggle 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. There's not a huge gap between its scores and those of its closest competition, the big T did come out ahead on several key fronts.

With 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. 

Superloop managed to match Telstra when it came to downloading speeds during the busiest hour of the day but narrowly slipped to 4th place when it came to more general peak hour performance. That said, it was a clear front-runner when it came to latency and a strong performer when it came to upload speeds and loading times.

On top of fast internet speeds, Superloop also let you save by bundling with its mobile plans. Check out the widget below for a round-up of your options.

Dodo has slipped in the ranking this time around,  but it's still a competitive option when you factor in the price and overall performance. A fifth-place result for typical upload speeds and download speed during peak hours still puts this provider towards the top of the list.

If you're comparing it to its sibling brand iPrimus, Dodo comes out ahead with better typical upload speeds and average latency. On top of that, this provider allows you to bundle your internet with electricity and gas if you're already a Dodo customer and save each month.

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 is 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.  If that’s not your preference, there are a few broadband bundles to consider.

Several providers, including iiNet, offer Fetch TV bundles. Safe to say, there are plenty of options out there if you're looking at broadband for streaming.

If you're looking for the best internet for streaming TV, you'll probably want to either an NBN 50 connection or an NBN 100 connection. The former should see you with more than megabits-per-second to stream in 4K quality from your favorite streaming service. However, if you live in a household where multiple people may be streaming at once, then it might be worth the upgrade to an NBN 100 plan.

NBN 50 remains the most popular speed tier for good reason, but if you want to ensure a better and more consistent streaming experience then an NBN 100 plan or NBN 250 plan from any of the providers may be the way to go.