More than three in four Australian households are now using streaming video services, reflecting a significant shift in the country’s digital consumption habits. This trend coincides with Australia’s ascent in the global broadband speed rankings, as reported by NBN Co in their latest release.
Streaming video is increasingly occupying more screen time, while remote work continues to drive the majority of uploads. NBN Co’s report, released on Friday, highlights that broadband downloads are on the rise across Australia, with Queenslanders leading in data usage compared to other states and territories.
Rising Demand for Streaming Services
The findings come amid a transformative year for internet connectivity in Australia. Thousands of households have received free speed upgrades, transitioning from copper to fiber technology, and facing growing competition from satellite providers like Starlink. NBN Co forecasts that streaming video will constitute 59 percent of all downloads by 2035.
Guy Scott, NBN Co’s Chief Technology Officer, noted the impact of these reforms on entertainment streaming. “The trend now accounts for 48 percent of all data downloaded from the National Broadband Network,” he stated. Children are a major driver of this demand, particularly during school holidays, although adults maintain a steady streaming habit.
“When the kids are off school, the network tends to get busier – in April, July, September, and January, they’re all busy times for us,” Scott explained. “What doesn’t change is the busy hour – the busy hour stays consistently between 9pm and 10pm.”
Interestingly, the NBN anticipates a dip in downloads on New Year’s Eve, marking the lowest daily peak demand of the year.
Broadband Speeds and Data Usage
According to Worldpanel ComTech, 76 percent of Australian households are engaged with streaming video services, with platforms like Paramount+, Stan Sport, and ad-supported subscriptions seeing growth in 2025. On the other hand, broadband uploads are primarily driven by communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, which accounted for 24 percent of traffic.
In 2025, uploads over the NBN increased by 12 percent, while downloads rose by 10 percent, reaching an average of 508 gigabytes per month—double the data downloaded in 2019. Queenslanders have topped the list for data consumption for the third consecutive year, followed by Western Australia and the ACT, with Tasmania at the lower end of the spectrum.
Download speeds across Australia have also improved, thanks to the NBN’s free speed tier upgrades for 2.7 million users in September and free fiber upgrades for eligible premises starting in January. Approximately 12,000 households are transitioning to faster and more reliable fiber connections each week.
“We absolutely expect to see traffic continuing to grow,” Scott commented. “We’ve built out the fiber network now to 3.5 million premises and we’ve got another 622,000 premises to build between now and 2030.”
Australia’s Global Broadband Ranking
Australia’s recent rise to 42nd place in the Ookla Research global broadband speed tests marks a significant improvement, surpassing the United Kingdom for the first time and climbing from 82nd place in February. This advancement underscores the impact of ongoing infrastructure upgrades and increased competition in the broadband market.
The move represents a broader shift in how Australians access and utilize digital content, with implications for entertainment, education, and remote work. As the nation continues to enhance its broadband infrastructure, the potential for further growth in digital consumption and connectivity remains substantial.
Looking ahead, the focus will likely remain on expanding fiber networks and enhancing service reliability to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet access. These developments are poised to shape the future of digital engagement in Australia, offering new opportunities for innovation and connectivity.
